Distraction Techniques

[Aspasia]

Craft activities or phoning a friend if I am home alone and feeling vulnerable.

i've started downloading free podcasts from radio 4 . If I wake up early in the morning I can just put it on and it helps drown out all the crap buzzing around in my head

Photography is the only thing that seems to work.

I read books, I always bring books with me whenever I go, it helped me a lot I also bring my mp3 player it can be very handy if I don't have my books with me, and on weekends I do mindful meditation for 30 minutes and also I do yoga to help me relax.

I take my iPod, my phone and a book wherever I go. When I'm at home, I tend to kill a lot of time on the Internet, playing online games, or I watch DVDs to distract myself from my thoughts.

Doing a crossword is really great as I get a sense of achievement from doing it and it's some time when she can't criticise me.
iPods are great too but you have to spend some time engaging with people, but it is really great for ensuring that you have no distractions for a while.

Singing. It really works.

I loved my ipod but I dropped it last week and it's broken, can't tell you how upset I was with that.
I have got 350ish episodes of 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' on mp3 I listen to which helps but I'm really getting through them at the moment.
I have been researching a friends family tree for a couple of weeks which helps but I've finished it now.
I have got in to the habit of taking a book in to work as well as my PSP to try to keep occupied, work is so boring though they don't have much impact.

Cross stitching, films, books, writing letters to friends (long letters), looking through photo albums. Also sad to say but cleaning... the sense of achievement after and knowing for example you have a very clean bed to get in at night.

Please guys, do lets add some more!

[Tutti]

I started cross stitching to help distract my mind. I also started a blog about my depression, bipolar and PTSD and the things I am learning in therapy to help me.

[JustNotMe]

A man I was talking to about depression said the way he bet it was exercise, doesn't matter what form just go out and expand the lungs, get oxygen in to the blood as it feeds the brain, a 15 min walk clears the head from thought, even if its raining, get out and do something, walk the dog, if you dont have a dog borrow one. There are children dying in countrys that would rejoice at seeing rain. Dont make excusses,,! He spoke the truth, it helped me a lot, must say thanks Bob.

[Desolation]

For me it is computer games and documentaries.

I also read a lot of factual stuff, always online and never books. Stuff about history, science and conspiracies. I find that stuff fascinating. Especially when you read different theories on different things.

I find soaps, Hollywood films with the "happy ending" or love story and most of todays pop culture brings my mood down.