When you’re feeling sad what helps you feel better?

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I ma grateful I don't get sad often. Disappointed or upset perhaps. So when that happen, I listen up great music and watch funny movies. Or stuff like this:

cheers--Sharon

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Taking my dogs for a long walk.

I think what works about that is a combination of things: the joy I receive from giving another living creature pleasure; physical exercise; and seeing nature (I love the Japanese concept of a "nature bath"). I even recently listened to a science podcast that talked about how going for a walk helps sort and file your experiences from the day in your brain. I don't remember the exact mechanics, but it was something about the visual sweeping left and right a human does while walking that helps the brain process the experiences from the day in a healthy way.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I am preparing for the loss of my elderly dog, Daisy. She has end stage kidney failure. We don't know how long it will be, but probably a few weeks at most. We lost our other two elderly girls a little over a year ago, so when we lose Daisy, it will truly be the end of an era for us.

 

[canuk-gal]

Taking my dogs for a long walk.

I think what works about that is a combination of things: the joy I receive from giving another living creature pleasure; physical exercise; and seeing nature (I love the Japanese concept of a "nature bath"). I even recently listened to a science podcast that talked about how going for a walk helps sort and file your experiences from the day in your brain. I don't remember the exact mechanics, but it was something about the visual sweeping left and right a human does while walking that helps the brain process the experiences from the day in a healthy way.

Do you mean like EMDR?

I walk home from work. Helps me to clear my head which I find therapeutic. But I like walking regardless--and I like seeing peoples cute pets and stopping to pet them. And the smiles and hello's that go along with that. Yes, nature bath.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Do you mean like EMDR?

I walk home from work. Helps me to clear my head which I find therapeutic. But I like walking regardless--and I like seeing peoples cute pets and stopping to pet them. And the smiles and hello's that go along with that. Yes, nature bath.

You know, I hadn't heard about EMDR, so just now googled it. But yes, that sounds like what the podcast was describing, so I guess we naturally do it while walking. Next time you are on a walk, notice how your eyes constantly sweep left and right in front of you. I didn't even realize I did that until after I listened to the show.

I'm trying to remember which podcast it was that I heard about it on ...hmmm...maybe Science Friday (NPR)? Or Hidden Brain? Or All in the Mind (ABC Radio) ? Sorry, I don't remember, but am guessing it was one of those.