I actually need distractions tonight

[SeekingAfrica]

Ideas? I had rough day dealing with job applications and I have to start again bright and early tomorrow. And I got rejected from something I was really counting on, so the feeling is lingering, and if I don't take a break from thinking about applications I won't sleep well. I have a whole list of videos and things to research, but I also need to go to bed with clear mind to replenish my ability to push forward.

 

[Teasel]

Copied this from my notes :)

●Distract yourself with pleasurable activities

Watch the clouds trees sunset
Go for a walk in the park
Journal to get in touch with how you feel
Text a friend
Exercise
Do yoga tai chi dance swim bike hike
Stretch your muscles
Do something exciting and or new
Get out of the house
Go for a drive or bus ride
Plan a trip somewhere new
Eat something nice fav meal or new meal
Go out to eat
Feed the ducks
Watch a comedy show or film
Go to the cinema
Watch TV listen to radio
Play a game
Chat online or on a forum
Visit fav websites
Sell something on the Internet
Call a crisis line
Go shopping
Get haircut or hair dyed
Go to a cafe
Visit a museum or art gallery
People watch. Try to imagine what they are thinking
Meditate
Learn a language
Play a musical instrument
Listen to happy music dance to happy music
Take photos
Do a course in something which excites you
Grow something
Knit crochet or sew something
Paint your nails
Put on make up
Take a relaxing bath
Read your fav book poem or magazine
Write down things you like about you self
Draw paint doodle
Make a list of people you admire and what you like about them
Write a poem
Make a list of things you would like to do

●Distract yourself by paying attention to others

Do something for someone else
Take your attention off yourself - go out and be amongst ppl. Really notice them
Think of someone I'm you care about and imagine a peaceful conversation with thank them.

●Distract your thoughts

Remember in detail a fun happy experience
Look at nature in great detail
Imagine being a superhero correcting some past or future event in your life
Imagine getting praise from someone who matters to you
Imagine something you'd really enjoy
Keep your fav quote with you. Then when distressed, read it

●Distract yourself by leaving

●Distract yourself with tasks n chores

Wash the dishes
Clean
Organise books photos music etc
Get a manicure or pedicure
Gardening
Laundry
Polish shoes or jewellery
Take a bath
Go to a class or group meeting

●Distract yourself by counting

Long slow deep breaths
Anything else, cars, colours, sounds, sensations, branches
Count or subtract by 7

●Relax

●Self Soothing using sense of Smell

Put on incense or essential oil burner
Put on Perfume
Bake something that smells good
Go outside smell the grass
Buy flowers
Smell herbs

●Self Soothing using Sight

Make a collage of images that you like
Find a beautiful place like a park or gallery or a poster or painting
Browse beautiful photographs in a book store or gallery, Pinterest or Youtube
Draw or paint your own picture that's pleasing to you
Carry a picture or photograph of someone you love, find attractive or admire
Look at faces album

●Self Soothing using hearing

Listen to soothing music
Listen to audio books
Listen to guide meditation
Listen to a soothing TV show
Listen to a gentle raio talk show
Listen to outside, wind chime, wind in trees
Listen to Slow TV or recordings of nature
Play white noise
Listen to a water fountain
Listen to a relaxation exercise
Listen to running wate


●Self Soothing using taste

Have your fav meal, savour it
Carry sugar free nipits or such like
Eat something soothing like pudding
Drink something soothing such as tea
Suck on an ice cube or ice pop
Eat ripe fruit. Savour it.

●Self Soothing using touch

Carry soft velvety fabric with you to touch
Take a hot or cold shower or bath
Get a massage
Massage yourself
Stroke your pet
Wear your most comfy clothes
Spend half an hour supported in bed

 

[blackemerald1]

Copied this from my notes

Excellent list @berlinda! In my mind this is great to use everyday if needed. Thank you :)

 

[SeekingAfrica]

@berlinda Wow! Thank you so much for the extensive list! I will copy it somewhere and add my own stuff in as well to be able to use when needed. I woke up to few things that just made me kind of snap today, so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do at all- but that means it's a perfect time to apply some of this!

 

[Starfish]

I think I can handle the white noise and that’s about it right now

 

[mamachick]

This suggestion may sound off the wall, but can you just take one day off from all of this. I know you have been constantly working on this. Can you play hooky for a day. Can you afford not to? There does come a point when the stress causes us to take longer to do things. When I was in school, I made sure I walked everyday, even when I needed to be writing a paper. I did this because of brain clutter from to many responsibilities. Taking that hour away helped me to be more efficient when I sat down to write.