Sometimes it can be hard to get ourselves out of a thought spiral, a dark mood, or just to get through a rough day. Processing thoughts and feelings is really important, and it’s also helpful to have healthy ways of distracting ourselves when we’re not ready to do that just yet. Distractions are a good way to give ourselves something to focus on and keep us safe, healthy, and unstuck. The Womanly team has some distraction ideas below. We hope they help you feel a little bit better!
Watch a movie that demands your attention, whether that’s because it’s jam-packed full of action or a mystery you’re trying to solve or something else entirely.
I’m a big fan of Black Panther for these moments because if I want to be somewhere else, Wakanda is high on my list.
Read a cute webcomic. Lots of webcomics have huge back catalogues and can lead you down a delightful rabbit hole of content.
I highly recommend Rock Paper Cynic because the comics are all freestanding and you can start anywhere.
Listen to sing-along worthy ear candy and jam out. Anything that makes you get up and sing and dance will work.
For the Millennials out there, the soundtrack to & Juliet is full of classic jams that have been remixed to make them extra dance-able.
Get crafting, kindergarten style. You don’t need to drop $100 on fancy supplies for a new hobby; embrace your inner child and bring back a craft from your younger days. Materials are inexpensive and the skill level is very “come as you are”.
Macaroni art is an excellent starting place, and it lets you use up the odd noodles left at the bottom of different bags that having been lying around your cupboards.
Try out a solo board game. Even if you don’t have folks around to play a game with, there are plenty of options that you can take for a spin.
I’ve been loving Tranquility, but I’ve also heard good things about A Gentle Rain and Mass Transit. All of these games have multiplayer options as well!
Smash some ice. While smashing things can be cathartic, it usually leaves you with a lot of mess to deal with and you have to have stuff to destroy. For a similar sense of catharsis by smashing ice instead!
Get a bunch of ice cubes (freeze your own or buy some) and throw them as hard as you can onto a sidewalk, a bathtub, or any hard surface that can get wet without requiring cleanup. This might not always be distracting, but it can help get big feelings out of your body.
Request pet pictures from friends. If you’re having a hard time reaching out to friends, give yourself an easy conversation starter.
You can text/email something really simple like “I’m having a rough day and could use a distraction. Can you send me a hilarious picture of your dog/cat/lizard/hamster?”
Get outside for a photo scavenger hunt or self-guided walking tour. If you’re having a hard time convincing yourself to get outside for some exercise, try giving yourself an objective!
You can find sample scavenger hunt lists and walking tour maps easily online. You can also adapt either of these options to meet your own access and fitness abilities.
Please note: These tips aren’t a substitute for mental health care, and they won’t solve the actual problem, so make sure that you seek support that you need in addition to the ideas above.
