Image credit: Ryan Searle on Unsplash

Welcome to MHM #11! Mental Health Moments are shorter posts that include tips and suggestions for getting through your day without letting your depression get you down. I tend to be a bit wordy in my regular posts; MHMs are my attempt to be a little more palatable for those who don’t want to read longer posts. And now, onto the show!

Spring has sprung and we’re on our way to a nice-looking summer here in the D. And now that we have officially entered the era of maskless gatherings (among the vaccinated), that means we can start spending time with our loved ones once again. Woohoo!

Today’s MHM includes suggestions for getting out into the nicer weather and shedding off the extra stress depression causes, which often gets worse during the colder months. Some include other people and some you can do on your own. As always, I try to keep in mind the cost of things – especially almost-post-pandemic, when so many of us are struggling financially.

Choose one of these ideas each of the next fifteen days for maximum effectiveness, or make your own things-to-do-outside list. The good vibes they give you can easily last all day long and help wear down your depression.

Just a note: I’m including several links in this post to make it easier for you to get involved if you so wish. I hope they’re not too distracting 🙂

Here we go!

1. Grab your old baseball mitt (or buy a new one) and play catch. Alternatively, you can use a football or a frisbee. The older we get, the less often we do things like this. And while we might be able to feel the extra pandemic weight we’ve all gained, it’s still really fun – and it’s good exercise.
2. Go to your local batting cages. I’ve never been, but it sure looks like a lot of fun. I played softball for several years in my youth, and I was always a crappy batter. But I’d love to get some time in at the local sports park! (I searched and searched for a batting cage directory but couldn’t find one. Your best bet is to Google “batting cages near me.”)
3. [I sense a trend here!] Find a public park and play tennis with a friend. If you’re on the more competitive side and are able to invest in your equipment, by all means, go to your local tennis shop or order online from TennisExpress. Tennis doesn’t have to be expensive, though. You can buy rackets on the cheap at places like Walmart or Dick’s Sporting Goods.
4. Go for a walk. For those with more stamina than the average person, make it a jog or a powerwalk. Bonus points if you do it with a buddy.
5. This one will be easier to find once we’ve come through the other side of the pandemic (hopefully this summer), but joining an outdoor exercise class such as yoga, tai chi, or old-school aerobics would be a great way to get moving and enjoy nice weather.  Admittedly, I’m not sure where to find them, but a simple Google search should lead you in the right direction.
6. Host a barbecue for your vaccinated friends and family. Now that it’s been deemed safe to gather without masks if you’re vaccinated against covid-19, we can start having fun again!
7. Remember that bicycle you bought years ago? The one you rode a couple times and then stuck in the garage? Get on your bike and ride! It may require the inflating of tires and a little getting used to again, but imagine how much fun it would be (and how many calories you could burn)!
8. Pull the weeds in the flower or vegetable garden you started last year (and don’t forget the kneepads, gardening gloves, and something to dig with). Make sure you take water and rest breaks if needed.
9. Go to your local farmer’s market and buy some hanging flowers. And if you have steps leading up to your front door, think about putting potted flowers on each step. This would be a nice little pick-me-up for you, the Amazon Prime driver who delivers your packages, and everyone else who comes to your house.
10. Do you have a camera? You know, an actual SLR or D-SLR? (If not, your cell phone’s camera will suffice.) Go to a park or a junkyard or your favorite place to people-watch and take some photos. Don’t forget to download them to your computer or external hard drive. And, for Pete’s sake – print out the best ones!
11. Walk your dog/Take her to a dog park. Dog parks can be hard to find, but they can be really fun – especially if you have more than one canine child. Maybe your next-door neighbor and her pup would like to go with you. And hey, even if there are no dog parks near you, you can always take your dog for a walk or play in the yard. Your pup will be happy just to spend time with you.
12. Wash your car! If you have lots of energy, you can clean the inside, too – vacuum, dust, clean the floormats, etc. Maybe you’ll find enough spare change (or a $10 bill!) for a trip to Dairy Queen or Coldstone Creamery 😊 Mmmm…ice cream!!
13. Mow the lawn. Come on, you know it needs it, LOL! While you’re at it, surprise an older neighbor and mow theirs, too. It feels really good to do something nice for someone and make their day. Pro tip: Don’t tell anyone about it. Keep this good deed to yourself and bask in the warm fuzzies.
14. Have a picnic. Visit your favorite public park, find a new one, or set up your picnic basket in your own backyard. Pack a nice, light lunch and spend time with someone you love (or someone you like enough to spend time with). Or enjoy some quiet time by yourself. If you’re an introvert like me, you need this time to recharge. And what better place to do it than in a beautiful, natural environment?
15. Are you a music lover? This one is easy – grab your phone, find a nice spot outside, and download a music-streaming app like iTunes, Pandora, or my personal favorite, Spotify (not an affiliate link – I just love it!). You can spend as much time as you want creating your own playlists and discovering fun new music. It might feel a bit frivolous, but it’s not. Music is an important part of most people’s lives – and the good vibes definitely last! (A bonus suggestion: try not to listen to too much “depressing” music. I’ve done that before, and it can absolutely take my mood down a notch, especially if I’m already feeling down or having a low self-esteem day.)

So there you have it, folks. Fifteen ways to take control of your day and your mood by getting outside. I know it can be hard to get out of bed, even on a beautiful summer day. But it’s good for the soul, you’ll feel productive, and the good feelings just might last all day.

I would love to hear what’s on your list of outdoor activities, whether done on your own or with others. Sometimes, getting out can do wonders for us. It enhances our wellbeing, lifts our mood, and it can really help you break through your depression.

Give it a shot. You are a Warrior, after all – you CAN do it! 🙂

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