Distractions when feeling low

Some people consider distractions as quite a useful strategy for dealing with low mood and negative thoughts. When I'm feeling low I tend to use distractions a lot because I find that it can help me stop focusing on negative thoughts and the way I'm feeling. Over a certain period of time I've learned a lot of distraction techniques that I try to use when I feel distressed or when I feel that the low mood isn't lifting. I thought it would be helpful to share some of the distraction techniques to see if they can help you:

- Phone a friend 

- If you feel you can organise to meet up with a friend ( it's okay if you feel you can't take it in baby steps if you must)

- Go out for a walk

- Relaxation 

- Read a book

- Write in a diary or journal

- Colouring books (Amazon sell them and can be very cheap to buy)

- Have a warm bubble bath

- Listen to music 

- Baking 

- Puzzles

- Watch television

- Watch a film

- Read positive quotes

- Get a piece of paper and a pen and write about all the things you are grateful for

- Write down positive things that you have achieved in the last two weeks or even in a month 

- Loom Bands

- Draw

- Give a loved one a hug

- Play with a pet (if you have one)

-Do something nice for someone else

- Call a helpline - Samaritans - 08457909090 or email jo@samaritans.org - Breathing Space- 0800838587(free service)

- Use Apps on IPhone or iPad such as - Self Help for iPad, VirtualHopeBox, Safe Spot (These can give you ways of distracting yourself and how to help when you're feeling low and also details or organisations for help and support)

- Tell yourself that this is just a bad day and these bad feelings will pass. When it feels impossible to get through a bad day just remember that you are braver and stronger than you believe. Never ever give up because you can get through this. Never ever let a stumble in the road be the end of your journey a bad day doesn't mean that you've failed because it's just a temporary blip. Take care of yourself on a bad day put YOURSELF first and remember that it's not selfish to take care of YOU every once in a while and you must do what you think is best for you. You are doing your best and that's all you can do. X