What are you doing for your mental health?

[petra]

How are you taking care of yourself to keep your spirits up?

Suggested reading, from The Atlantic.

Comments

[petra]

I need to start meditating again, as I've gotten out of the habit. Other than that, I have regular therapy appointments that help keep me on an even keel.

[tomakeanoffer]

I am doing a lot of escaping right now. I have been consuming a lot of media, everything from fanfic to podcasts, to random TV. I am also being careful with my news consumption, because I know my brain will spill and feel terrible. I'm also trying to spend time with m housemates and not isolate or sleep forever, because I know that we all benefit from existing around each other and enjoying company.

[petra]

Escaping sounds like a good idea under the current circumstances, at least as long as you balance it with spending time with people.

My body has decided that sleeping forever is the best way to handle time, so I am fighting that one as hard as I can.

[daegaer]

Cat-snuggling!

[petra]

Just as I read your answer, my cat leaped onto my chest. So -- yes, me too!

[ex_flameandsong751]

Writing. Watching silly things on YouTube. Listening to music. Cat cuddles. Trying to moderate my news intake so I'm not constantly looking at the latest COVID-19 news and freaking out.

[petra]

Those are good coping mechanisms! Found anything good on YouTube lately?

[minoanmiss]

The Weird Explorer has big eyes andd a sardonic sense of humor and traipses the world eating rare fruits!

[petra]

Oo, shiny!

[althea_valara]

Posting a lot of comments to Dreamwidth, and to forums on Ravelry, too.

I've also been working on a project to document the story of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, a mobile RPG. I started this project over a year ago but have kicked it in high gear the last week. The story is a lot of fun, so it makes me happy to revisit it.

[petra]

Posting a lot of comments to DW and Ravelry sounds like a very helpful thing to do when newly (or not so newly) isolated.

I'm glad you have a story to keep you company!

[sulien]

Right now besides reading, streaming stuff to watch and crocheting, I'm watching local Olympic Peninsula webcams to get a dose of nature while we've actually got gorgeous, relatively warm and sunshiny weather. Of course the governor waited until we actually have some warm-ish, sunny weather here in the Pacific Northwet to set down a 'stay at home' order that closes all of the state parks and beaches. :-( The best places I can think of outdoors for social distancing while enjoying nature are the wide open beaches and forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Pardon the edit.

[petra]

I'm sorry the state lands are closed to you, and I look forward to spending a little quality time with the webcams. I've been getting doses of my local nature by walking regardless of the weather -- it's only nominally spring here so far, but that's not a reason to stay inside when there are so many other reasons that we Must.

[lethe1]

I don't have a Twitter account myself, but there are a few accounts I regularly check up on. I want to limit the time I spend on Twitter, because at the moment it is not a healthy place to be.

I want to get back to doing my Qi Gong exercise regularly. Meditation should also be good, but I'm a little too impatient for that.

For the rest, comfort TV (Belgian TV started reruns of Kapitein Zeppos, which was a very popular children's series in the mid-'sixties. Pure nostalgia!), Netflix, and reading. I may start Querkling again. I found that very relaxing when I had troubles at work.

[petra]

Querkling looks like a soothing activity. Qwirkle is an unrelated board game that sees heavy play in my house.

[lethe1]

Cool! Looks like a sophisticated variation on dominoes.

[jesse_the_k]

Oh! Querkling is a grand idea!

[lethe1]

Thanks, I enjoy doing it!

Mind you, not everyone agrees on the 'relaxing' part. I know someone who much prefers the ordinary colouring books.