50 Things to Do When You're Anxious and/or Depressed

Originally published on April 05th, 2018

The other day I wasn't feeling the best. It wasn't because anything was particularly wrong, and it wasn't that I was dreading something that may be wrong later. It was simply that I wasn't feeling the best. I go through bouts of anxiety and depression every once in a while, and it always really sucks. So I made this list a while ago that I go to when I'm feeling particularly bad, and I take a few things and do them. The following is a list of 50 things that I personally have done and can say that they work, at least in the moment, which is sometimes enough to get you through the rest of the day. 

1.  Go to sleep a half hour earlier 
2.  Get up a half hour earlier
3. Drink a tall glass of water
4. Take a shower with your favorite soap or body wash, and then use your favorite lotion
5. Read a book
6. Eat a salad  
7. Or a pizza
8. Go for a walk 
9. Or for a run 
10. Light a spring candle in the fall or a fall candle in the spring 
11. Paint your nails 
12. Dress up for literally no reason 
13. Wear your favorite sweatshirt 
14. Sit outside and breathe deeply
15. Meditate 
16. Color in a coloring book
17. Learn to make origami dragons 
18. Watch Friends 
19. Watch The Office 
20. Clean your room 
21. Clean your kitchen 
22. Wash your sheets 
23. Journal 
24. Shave your legs 
25.  Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while 
26.  Buy flowers 
27. Hug your dog 
28. Watch Queer Eye
29. Get a hug from your mom
30. Put lotion on your feet and follow with fuzzy socks 
31. Do something spontaneous 
32.  Create a morning and/or night routine 
33. Look at the stars on a clear night 
34. Change around the decorations in your room 
35. Drink some tea 
36.  Use a face mask 
37. Use a hair mask 
38. Write something 
39. Vacuum
40. Do your laundry 
41. Look up inspirational quotes
42. Clean your bag or backpack
43. Clean up your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram 
44. Eat lunch outside in the sunshine 
45.  Watch clips from The Graham Norton Show (bonus points if it's red chair related!)
46. Watch interviews with Emilia Clarke 
47. Watch You've Got Mail 
48. Read some poetry 
49. Dance around your room to Hamilton 
50. Dramatically lipsynch to Oh, Darling by The Beatles