do you know of any hobbies or entertament that don't cost money?

Question

i'm going through depression i need help. i need ideas , tips , and adivice.i get really down in the mornings and in the evnings. i am not able to return too work yet so i am feeling really worthless. MY house is spotless because i am cleaning it constently because of my free time.
If u have ever had depression what are some things that helped u get through it.
thanks to eveyone.

Answer 1

Go for walks

what really cuts depression - and I am trying to start doing it again now - is jogging. I used to do it all the time and it really cut the depression. Just go for a lite jog.

there are usually clubs and gatherings advertised at your local library and they are free some of them are entertaining or a hobbie. Hope this helps you - Good Luck. Don't let your depression stop you from jogging - go at night or really early morning if you like privacy and don't want to see anyone you know / nosy neigbours.

Answer 2

I know it is hard. I'm sorry you're going through this--but there are people (like me) who've been there, and can tell you it'll be okay. I think one of the hardest things to do, but best with depression, is to get out in the world and find a way to connect with things. This can be by going for a walk in the park, going to an art gallery (exibit openings are usually free), or joining a book club (checked out from the library.) Look in your newspaper's weekly entertainment/event listings, do a little exlporing, and I know you will find quite a few free events that can open up new interests and maybe new friends.
For me, writing out my feelings has been a huge help. It may sound silly, but it really will help you "vent." Keeping a journal or trying your hand at some poetry will help deal with them, because I really do believe that trying to "ignore" depression, or shove it aside, is the worst thing one can do.
Depression is both a medical and emotional condition, so if you haven't done so already, go to the doctor and or/therapist to get help. It's not worth "trying to get by" alone, believe me.
Remember: you are not alone...and you are not worthless! It will take time, but you will feel good again. I remember one day when I though, "I cannot make it through another day like this..." but I did; you will too.

Answer 3

Different people like different things, but getting involved in some activity will be good for you. You guessed that on your own. Try writing- either journalling, poetry, stories or letters to friends and family. Try drawing or any of a dozen other craft activities like making things from clay or collages from pictures cut out of magazines. You could join a choir, chorus or glee club if you like to sing. You could do volunteer work at a hospital, a mission or a retirement home. If you have a few friends that you could invite to your spotless house, you could have a game night a couple evenings a week and play card games or any board game you might have around the house. How about asking your city council person or alderman about cleanup jobs where you could work as a volunteer?
I play drums. Drumming keeps me happy. Sometimes I even get paid for it, so I don't always tell everyone that I would do it for free just because I like it. My town has drumming circles at various places and times and once I got into it, I was able to find a drumming event for almost every night of the week.
Just ask yourself what appeals to you, then start looking around for how and where to do it.
Yahoo games are still partly free. Chicken Invaders is a great stress-buster.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Right now, I am going through kind of a tough time. Today I drove to the lake (Lake Michigan) and took a long walk. Like Robert D, I drum and I I took my drum with me and sat by the lake and played. I enjoy taking photos with my digital camera, so I took photos of the waves and the rocks.

I have gone to a number of free museums, and a free zoo. Even the museums that charge often have one free day a week. I like to go to forest preserves and hike. Some of the forest preserves have nature centers that are staffed, and you can talk with the people there about native plants and trees, and the animals and reptiles that are in the area. They often have handouts that you can take with you while you hike and you can try to identify the different flowers and birds.

I have dogs, and sometimes I take them to an outdoor cafe. I will order a cup of coffee and just sit there and people watch. When you have a dog with you, many people come up and start talking to you and they ask if they can pet the dog. It always feels good to talk to other people.

Here in Chicago, there are many street musicians. I enjoy listening to them, and have even pulled out my drum and played with them.

I love going to festivals in different towns. Most are free to get in.

I enjoy riding my bike - there are quite a few different trails in my area.

I like going to the library and checking out books that I am interested in. When I am down, I gravitate towards books on travel and things like flower arranging and decorating.

For a very small price, you can get on a bus and ride for hours. Just make sure you can get back. ;-)

There is a botanical garden about half an hour from me that is donations only. Seeing beauty always perks me up.

Good luck to you, and I hope you are feeling better soon. Just try to stay off the computer, get outside, and do things that make you feel good, at least temporarily.

Answer 5

It's funny...some people clean and clean when they're depressed, and then there are some people who let the house turn into a piggy mess. I finally got myself to a doctor, and with antidepressants lead a pretty normal life.
Suggestions: get outside and do something fun when it's sunny. You may be suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder, which women get 8X more than men). In this case, get a full spectrum light visor.http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/products_visor.html It really works!! I have one and I wear it on rainy days and in the fall and winter when the days are not sunny. I worked for years in an office with no windows, and wearing the visor made a huge difference.
Try to exercise...it will give you more energy.
You may feel isolated and lonely...Force yourself to stay in contact with friends, and get together, even if it's just for a movie or meal.
Good luck!

Answer 6

There are hundreds of things you can do that don't cost much or any money.
I Guess it's still up to you to find something that you like, and to be honest you can just about do it on a low or zero level budget.

i suppose the hardest part is believing that you have some capability, to follow your "new" found hobby through.
Like a lot of us who get "depressed", we suffer low self esteem as a part of that depression.
Remember when you start something new or even visit something old you don't have to be perfect or even close to the best, just something that you can find even the smallest amount of pleasure in, will satisfy.
If you can find some enjoyment in "task" then your on your way to recovery, regardless of whether (for now) you think the results are "worth it".
Also it's not always about something you can share, don't concern yourself with being over selfish, you need to be occasionally.

I won't list activities here as I don't want to patronize.

Good luck, a smile and an air hug.

Answer 7

Go see your doctor and he can help you with meds like Lexapro or prozac. After you are maintaining for a while, it will be easier to do things as the "will" returns. Your arms won't feel like lead waits anymore and things that used to be enjoyable will be again. Try birdwatching. In any city there are areas close by (nature preserves) that you can relax and see which birds are passing through on there way to warmer climes. I enjoy doing it as well as walking the trails. I wish you well.

Answer 8

What has helped a lot of people is volunteer work. It frees up your time, you are a volunteer not paid help, it feels good and you are doing yourself and someone else good. It's free and you can find a fit with things you like to do. You can also decide to start with only an hour or two and then increase your time.

Answer 9

Kick boxing helps me alot. Its not so much about the moves as the peace of mind the disiplanes give me. Walking helps. Really any form of exercise will, due to endorphanes.Reading is also good, it can help you get far away with out the exspense of traveling.It also occupies your mind for a time and helps you learn more. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

Answer 10

go out in nature and collect pine cones or whatever and make wreaths or some other creation. The time outside will help you to not think of what is weighing you down and you can use this energy to do something creative and makes you feel as though you see the infinite world in all its glory and amazement. Hiking is one of the things i tend to do in this decree..