~ Going from 🤯 to 🥰 ~

quixotic_life

I have a mess of strategies I've collected and use to get myself, "back into the green zone". I just stumbled upon this, and was adding it to my, "Whoa! Get a Grip!" toolbox, when I thought about how there might be some folks here who'd appreciate this kind of thing, and even more who may have some strategies of their own they'd be willing to share.

[hint-hint ~ please share 💓]

BoredPanda.com is my latest addition because it's a good distraction and mental reset space!!

Plus, OMG!!! Just look at these faces!!! 🤗🤗🤗

Find more of this cuteness here!

And next time you feel like you're losing it, or have noticed you've straight up lost it, try to remember...

Seals are dog mermaids!!!

and so stinkin cute!!! 🥰

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FlyingToaster

Relaxing thoughts and trying to get my mind off the crazy stuff.

And as far as feeling stressed or down, I always try to count my blessings and try to focus on the positive things. Dwelling too much on the negative things will just bring you down, and you don't need to do that.

Sashamcgee

I live in a beautiful part of the country (though I've never traveled anywhere and not been able to find some beauty).

So when I'm feeling 🤯🤯🤯 I try to remember to do two things (at least): 1. TAKE A FEW DEEP BREATHS! 2. Stop and look around me ... is the view breathtaking? Is the sky a beautiful painting? Is there a sweet older couple holding hands? Cute kids running and laughing? There's always something!

Also ... dog mermaids... 😍😍😍😍

mtp

I keep a few categories of links handy, depending on what sort of help I think I need.

Sometimes something overwhelming cute helps me:

Or if I need some faith in humanity restored:
https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/crpjwk/every_year_this_mama_duck_brings_her_babies_to_my/

https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/aggom4/my_mom_painted_this_and_said_no_one_would_like_it/
(be sure to follow some of the links in the comments)

Sometimes a bit of random silliness is more effective:

quixotic_life

@FlyingToaster ~ True. It's always good to focus on the good that we have and know.

@Sashamcgee ~ For sure stopping and looking around! If there's nothing pretty to see, it becomes an adventure quest outing!!

Omg! @mtp ~ The purring cat & piano 🥰
And QI ~ Great show! 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is another good one (but can get a bit raunchy sometimes - Jimmy Carr).

FlyingToaster

I've also found that playing a musical instrument can put my mind at ease very easily.

quixotic_life

Sometimes I'll amuse myself with an online personality test. Like the one at www.humanmetrics.com or like this one that tells you which character you're most like from Winnie the Pooh based on your pathology.

I Needed This THANK YOU @quixotic_life

quixotic_life

@verona ~ I'm so glad it can be of use 🤗 ~ yay!

Also... not sure how I missed putting my fave in the original, so here's another bit of cuteness...

🦭 ~ just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming ~ 🐕

Hit the gym for a heavy workout. When focused on survival other problems recede into the background. As Henry Rollins wrote in the timeless "Iron and the Soul":

"The Iron is the best antidepressant I have ever found. There is no better way to fight weakness than with strength. Once the mind and body have been awakened to their true potential, it’s impossible to turn back."

quixotic_life

Here are some grounding techniques to help support feelings, memories, flashbacks or intrusive thoughts that you don't feel able to cope with in the moment:

 breathing slowly ~ add in mantra if helpful
   (Slow count of 7 in and slow count of 11 out)

 tense and release ~ 7-11
   (start at tips of toes and gradually work your way up to the top of your head)

 read a re-framing note...
My personal note to self, written while calm:
"Keep in mind ~ You have a tendency to over think (including over thinking about over thinking) ~ Be in the moment, one breath/step at a time."
"Look beyond what you see & listen beyond what you hear."
"We're not focusing on the big picture, long term, or on the past. Just right here, right now. Settle into it. Savor this moment. Write, write, write about this... For it too shall pass soon enough."  

 safe space visualization (breathe in picturing a place where you feel safe & exhale picturing yourself in that space feeling calm)
Note: Choose your "safe space" while at a neutral so it's easier to access when escalated. For me it's in a parked in the car, or on a boulder, with a stellar view (mine changes based on the elements). Drawing it while at neutral is also quite beneficial for locking in that visual for later.

 look around your space (real or imagined), find something to fully focus on (visualize what's behind it/what it may be blocking. What else can you see? ~ look beyond what you see)

 listening to sounds around you (real or imagined ~ what can you hear in this space? ~ listen beyond what you hear)

 try this with your other senses too.
The idea is to find ways that calm the mind (reduce anxiety) and to gain a sense of control (decrease depression spiraling).

pmvines

@quixotic_life a friend gave me a weighted blanket which I had never used before and it is pretty comfy and has grounding potential 🙂

quixotic_life

@pmvines ~ ah... weighted blankets...
joy 😊

Bonus ~ If you lug it around like Linus you might get buff too! 🧳🏋️‍♂️

pmvines

@quixotic_life I dont use it often and when I do I dont sleep with it cus it will make me feel trapped lol like the really tight hotel sheets but the times I've used it has been nice and I've noticed even though the material is relatively thin it really keeps you warm due to the pressure. Great for trapping in warmth during this weather

quixotic_life

@pmvines ~ I usually end up with my feet sticking out for those exact reasons (heat release and a quick get away).

quixotic_life

Designergirl

I just follow the election.

quixotic_life

Lol ~ @Designergirl I don't think that counts as a "calming strategy"... maybe if someone is so chilled-out you're wanting to check for signs of life or to get your own heart rate up... then it might be a good one. 😉

Designergirl

@quixotic_life you did say "calming strategy" not "mood elevating activity"--my bad. So I'm going with meditation, cardio, and yoga.

@Designergirl 😳Follow the election? But yes, you’re right. At this moment, I keep returning to the map, getting reassurance that maybe things will be OK. Hopefully this will be the calm without the storm.

quixotic_life

Or you could venture down a YouTube rabbit hole and end up here...

...or you could begin here ^ that might be easier...

quixotic_life

... note to self ...
Use your tools!

Long early morning power walks. Soothing jazz music.

And watching and listening to the birds make their early morning rounds and chirps. It's very soothing and relaxing.

Three things that calm me down when I’m alone:

Listening to the Brian Eno channel on Spotify.

Exercise bike that I placed in front of the TV/stereo. (I guess that’s one benefit of living alone).

And when I’m really on the edge, working on my chili pepper garden.

quixotic_life

@cualtzin ~ Your garden produces KitKats?! Yum!
😜

sunnysideup

@quixotic_life I try to realize that seasonal affective disorder is probably affective me and try to get more light or take some vitamin D supplements

quixotic_life

@sunnysideup ~ Good plan! I already take D³ because I work indoors... But have been considering getting a SAD light to see if that helps. I love this time of year but after a few solid weeks of dreariness, it tends to have a cumulative, hard-hitting, all at once kind of effect on me.

Glad you brought this up, because if I wait until it hits, I'll be too late... 🛋

@quixotic_life 😂 Kit Kat for scale. And because what better way to brighten up a picture? I’m going to add one to my profile. Might get better results 🤔.

quixotic_life

@cualtzin ~ I couldn't find what I was hoping to (a KitKat bow-tie) but found these on Etsy...

...which would for sure brighten up a picture and possibly one's mood too!!!

Another 🤯 -> 🥰 Idea: Do something silly!

FlyingToaster

@quixotic_life I think I'm used to the weather here. I figured it's because I grew up here. I try to focus on good thoughts andthings I like, and usually all is okay. The weather is just weather.

quixotic_life

Ooof... @FlyingToaster ... I so wish that were the case for me. I'm typically good if a few clear, or even warm, days show up in the mix... but when it's been non-stop cold, windy and rainy for weeks (where it feels like it's freezing but there's not a snowflake in sight - where you're constantly chilled to the core and it hurts to move) I cease to be stoked.

Every year I hit a point where I'm like, "Wth Mom! If you're gonna make it this cold at least you could give us snow to go with it! Jeez!" like an agro teenager.