Life skills part 2 (continuation of previous post)

So when one is in distress or not feeling well it is always good to have a plan prepared ahead of time. I carry in my purse a list of activities to distract or help me when I am not feeling well. I will also add a list that was given to us in therapy. It is a very long list.

 Choose some you like and think will work for you. You can also add your own activities and distractions that are not on this list.

~Play with your animals
~do a puzzle
~do some art work like painting or photography
~go for a walk
~bake a dessert
~take a bath
~watch a funny movie or tv show
~phone a friend~go visit a friend
~read a book if u have no concentration read short articles in a magazine or read a trashy celebrity magazine
~exercise~
~write letters to people you are angry at then throw them away or burn them
~go swimming, biking, do yoga~
~do some breathing exercises
~go get a massage
~go for a drive
~do some photography
~clean the house
~take a nap
~treat yourself to a chocolate bar
~go for an ice cream
~cook a new recipe
~knit(or learn how to)
~go eat at a restaurant
~go to the movies
~chat online
~play solitaire or online games~visit websites of places you would like to travel to(look at images)
~create a blog
~sell something you dont want or need online~buy something online
~dye your hair or go get a hair cut
~call Tracom
~go shopping
~do a scrapbook
~go to the library
~sing or dance
~meditate
~make a list of 10 celebrities you would like to be friends with and describe why
~pretent you have won the lottery and write down what you would do with the money
~invite someone over for supper
~ write a loving letter to yourself when you are feeling well and write down things you like about yourself and re read it when you are not feeling well
~paint
~write in a diary
~plan a trip
~join the gym
~push as hard as you can with your hands against a wall
~make funny video clips with your camera
~learn a new hobby
~do some gardenning
~wash your car
~walk your dog or borrow a friend's dog if you don't have one
~write a poem or a song
~make a fun list of celebrities you would like to have sex with
~masturbate
~have sex with your partner or someone your trust and care about
~make a list of things that make you happy (travelling, the beach...etc)
~think of a nice moment you had in your day or a compliment your recieved
~volunteer somewhere
~ call someone or write to someone you like and have not spoken to in a while
~go to the mall or a park and do some people watching and try to imagine what they are thinking
~take an art class, spanish class, tai chi..etc
~play or learn how to play the guitar or a musical instrument
~go to your church or pray
~make a vision board
~write a thank you letter to someone who has made a difference in your life and tell them why (you dont      have to send it if you dont want to)
~make a list of people you admire or want to be like and describe what it is you admire about them
~Draw a picture
~color in a coloring book
~Read a trashy magazine
~sign up for a class online
~write a story about either the funniest, craziest or sexiest and fun thing that has happened to you
~write a letter to god
~ go do the groceries
~go to a museum~
~go to the zoo
~go to a spa
~turn on some loud music you like and sing away
~clean that cluttered closet or drawer
~go to a hockey game or sporting event
~go to a concert
~take a cooking class or cake decorating class
~get on the bus or metro and go somewhere you have never been
~go bowling
~go play pool
~go to the arcade
~play on your nintendo or xbox etc
~go look at funny clips on youtube
~do some stretching exercises
~do something nice for someone
~play a board game with a friend
~join an internet dating service
~brush your pets or play ball with them
~go through your clothes and give the ones you dont need anymore to a local charity or salvation army..

. The point is have a list ready, catch yourself right away when you know you are not feeling well or are about to panic or cut etc. Of course if you have a problem with shopping, don't chose shopping as an option, if you have a problem with drinking, perhaps stay away from going to play pool at a bar...etc. Pick what is good for you. Another good trick is to set aside half an hour every day even when you are feeling good and do an activity you enjoy. Its not just about getting rid of anxiety or panic attacks and depression and only using this list when in crisis...you have to add joy to your life :o) I hope this helps and again thank you for reading me :o)