Coping with Anxiety and Depression

I find that setting a timer for 10-15 minutes and just brain dumping—writing out everything that’s on my mind—is really helpful just to put it somewhere else so it’s not taking up the mental space. Allow yourself to have those feelings, and if once doesn’t feel like enough, journal again! In conjunction with that, I like to treat myself to something I enjoy. Do you have a sense that is particularly grounding for you? If you’re using the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique, you can organize it to meet your sensory profile; so for me, I go for touch first because it tends to bring me back to the present the easiest. And bonus if the thing you enjoy hits on multiple senses! Lastly, be kind to yourself and remember to take breaks to check-in with yourself to go through grounding again. It’s a great practice to use even when you’re feeling good! But especially when the depression and anxiety can draw us away from our goals and our body. You can do this, and there is a great community here that will be along the journey with you.

for me it’s legos and paper crafts, way too expensive? yes. harmful to myself or others? no!! i like that they keep my brain and hands occupied and if i put a comforting show on in the background my brain is even more occupied. also, since with regular art i tend to feel bad and not good enough, legos and pepper crafts have specific instruction and result so it’s harder to feel that what i make isn’t good enough!! i just barely discovered it but this or engaging in any of my special interests can help me a lot! lmk if you try it and if it helps. (ps the 3 in 1 legos are good because you don’t need to buy more pieces)

find a video game u really like, color while listening to music, etc