My Story ....

[RFLH]

I keep trying different things but I've not come across the perfect thing yet!

I keep hoping the garden will be the answer - but I keep looking at it and sighing! I've done the grass twice so far and its wheels need raising or something as I'll either get a hernia or have a stroke!

I think we out to start a thread on things to do to stop you thinking!

[LS]

Just to add, I think what we all look for when we're in the doldrums is a complete break from the angst. What you have to do is find something that gives you a break from the angst for just a few minutes or a few hours; this gives you a chance to take a breather and to give your mind a chance to relax.
When I was at my lowest I wanted to be able to forget all that's happened completely and to have months of not having stressful thoughts about the past, but in reality that's too much to ask so you have to set more achievable goals like just a few minutes or a few hours.
Anything you can do automatically won't work, in my opinion, so reading for example won't realistically keep your mind from wandering. Things like indoor rock-climbing or semi-dangerous pursuits would work. I appreciate that not everyone works, but say for example you spend £100 once in a while on yourself. £100 would get you something like a flying lesson, or an off-road driving course - just something which gets you out, requires total concentration and gives your mind that all-important rest. You may only be able to do it every month or two, but it gives you a break every month or two. It's small steps, realistic achievable steps.

[LS]

Although reading per se doesn't generally work for me because my mind can wander, the web is a great tool. Last night I watched The Blues Brothers on tv, and then went on the web and looked it up, discovered all about how Belushi and Ayckroyd actually played gigs as the Blues Brothers long before the film. Then I researched John Belushi's life, and finally spent hours trying to get a copy of the music from the film (without luck) but I'd managed to spend about four hours totally immersed in research. And you know what? I never thought about me and my probs once.
Another idea might be to take yourself back to a happy time, and immerse yourself in it. Download music from that time and put on headphones and listen to it, while researching events and people from that time. All the time you're thinking of back then, you're not thinking of the here and now. It may just give you the break you need.

[RFLH]

I had to smile at the £100 to spend on yourself - I wish!