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    emb7617's Avatar
    emb7617 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 25, 2008, 05:55 PM
    Hobbies for depression
    I am a twenty year old depressed college student with a short attention span. I spend most of my time in my room and end up driving myself crazy. I cannot find a hobby or any entertainment besides television and reading. Help me!
    suzeequeue's Avatar
    suzeequeue Posts: 8, Reputation: 6
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    #2

    May 25, 2008, 06:10 PM
    I understand where you are coming from. I used to feel just like you (sometimes I still do). I have a few suggestions that helped me. Just like you, I like television and also reading. I know some of these suggestions may sound weird, but I promise they help. I went to wal-mart and bought a 97cent coloring book (they are usually by the check outs) and a pack of crayons. I know that you said you have a short attention span. I liked coloring in these book because I would get bored so easily. The pics were simple pics that didn't take long to complete and it helped give me a sense of being able to complete something. Another thing that I did was I went online to different chat rooms (not to be sleazy, or pick anyone up). I would find different sites that were for people my own age and also ones for my favorite TV shows. I also like to go to different webisites and learn about all kinds of interesting things. Hmm, I am trying to think what else I like to do... I started rubber stamping too. I bought a few stamps off eBay and then went to a craft store and got some paper and a few sets of ink pads. I started making different cards. I would go to different websites to get ideas and to look at different stamps. It doesn't take long to make a card and it is very relaxing too. Hope this helps you. I will check back in a little and see if there are any other tips I have for you. Good luck and take care! :D
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #3

    May 31, 2008, 01:20 AM
    Excellent answer above! I do want to add that it would help us to help you the best to know what some of your other interests are. For instance: Do you like collecting things? Are you a person who does well in group settings mingling and speaking with other people? Are you interested in being involved in something that is musical?

    You did mention reading. Perhaps there might be some discussion groups around in which you could become involved where there would be other people who would be interested in the same type of books that you might also be interested in.

    Just some thoughts for you...

    Thanks!
    firmbeliever's Avatar
    firmbeliever Posts: 2,919, Reputation: 463
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    #4

    May 31, 2008, 11:03 AM
    Emb,
    What suzeequeue said is true, colouring is a wonderful idea.
    It gives you something to focus on,choosing any colour you want you can just focus on colouring and not think of anything else.

    Crafts is a good idea if you have that sort of inclination,but you need to choose your craft,there is paper craft,fabrics,eggs and so much more.
    Or art crafts where you can create works using any and all materials(metal,eggshells,sand,wires,glass,food,pa int,plastic etc ).

    If you are into reading maybe you could make a change in what you are reading,for example if you are reading fiction you might like to try non-fiction.

    As Clough said it would help us help you,if you could give some sort of idea about your personality.
    kangabitt's Avatar
    kangabitt Posts: 39, Reputation: 2
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    #5

    Jun 4, 2008, 04:35 PM
    Get involved! I have a twenty-one year old son who just graduated from college, but his road wasn't an easy one, either. Lots of people go through this - and far beyond traditional the college age.

    Check out sororities or fraternities. You can usually find out quite a bit about them from their web sites. Most of them have recruitment chairs - so get to know them. Volunteer for anything and everything. Is there a school newspaper? Radio station? Having someone else to whom you are accountable makes a big difference in our motivation to get up every day.

    Rather than selling back books to the bookstore, sell them on eBay and put some money back in your pocket for the next round!

    Go to yard sales and flea markets and auctions and buy stuff to resell on eBay. Pick something you know and love. Knowledge of your product is a good thing.

    Get a part time job where you'll meet lots of people. Fast food is good - I'd say Subway is the best. Don't discouraged if you don't get the first job you apply for - there are lots of jobs for lots of people with high turnover.

    There are undoubtedly clubs for your interests. Check out Facebook for those with interests similar to yours OFFLINE.

    Computers are wonderful, but they're also very isolating.

    It's summer. Get up, get out, enjoy the wonders of the world - one minute at a time ;)

    And above all... KEEP YOUR GRADES UP! :)
    0rphan's Avatar
    0rphan Posts: 1,282, Reputation: 240
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    #6

    Jun 13, 2008, 11:34 AM
    I always found jigsaw puzzles were very good, they can be as big or small as you like, you can pick a favourite picture which is usually on the front of the box, showing how the jigsaw looks when completed.

    The beauty of it is, when you think that's enough ,you can get up ,do something else then go back to it... brilliant... it also requires very little concentration and is considered to be very theraputic.

    Something else I used to do was build churches or something similar out of matches.I'd ask everyone to save their matches, when I had a tidy pile, just enough to get going, I'd buy a decent glue, find a piece of flat cardboard or similar and off I'd go, again it doesn't require any concetration and you can leave it at any point, returning at a later stage.
    This is also very theraputic and quite calming, especially on the result you'll have a sense of achievement.

    You don't always want to stay in your room,so how about going for walks, there must be some kind of group that go on walks on a regular basis, ask around or try the local libraries for information, or you could even do dog walking for people who are maybe disabled and would love for someone to walk their dog, it will keep you fit and you'll make some new friends as well.

    I hope this has help or at least given you a few ideas


    Keep smiling...
    amricca's Avatar
    amricca Posts: 851, Reputation: 92
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    #7

    Jun 13, 2008, 12:17 PM
    Do you have a job? You could work part time doing something, you would meet people, get out of your room and make a little cash in the process.
    IM4U's Avatar
    IM4U Posts: 156, Reputation: 16
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    #8

    Jun 24, 2008, 10:53 PM
    Physical activity, gardening maybe, or yard care, tennis, jogging, or power-walking?

    Doing something helpful for others? Giving of ourselves seems to bring positive returns mentally and emotionally.

    Anyway, please try to avoid hybernating, becoming a TV addict, and a food junkie, especially sweets.

    Don't neglect your funny bone. Humor is good for the mood. And be cautious about alcohol and over-medication. Of course, treating street drugs like the plague goes without saying, but there, I said it anyway!

    Nutrition, rest, and exercise are three keys to dealing with depression. If you get really low, hating to get up in the mornings and losing functionality, see your M.D. Either insomnia or excess sleeping can be caution flags. Counseling, along with medical care, or perhaps without it, may be useful.

    These are my opinions, and they are for free. You don't have to send any money. If you or anyone else tries out any of this because I said so, that's your choice. But the risk and sole responsibility for the results are yours!
    starbuck8's Avatar
    starbuck8 Posts: 3,128, Reputation: 734
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    #9

    Jun 26, 2008, 10:34 PM
    Just to elaborate a little bit on "Orphans" answer, you could post a sign at your school, and offer to pet "sit" for people. I'm sure there are always students who would appreciate someone spending time with their pet while they are in classes, or away. You could teach the dogs new tricks, and have a sense of accomplishment, while meeting new friends at the same time. You would also be earning extra money, and dogs are very therapuetic. This is assuming you can have dogs in your room.

    A few more crafts that I have done, and are actually a lot of fun and cheap to do, and you end up with a very pretty ornament. One of them is to buy a pkg of pretty paper napkins with a pattern of some sort. (something with a large design with different things on them work best) Find a nice shaped bottle, container, or object. Tear the napkins into large pieces. Say you have a napkin that has different types of fruit... try and tear around the fruits on some, others can be random tears. Get some Elmers glue, work in small spaces by applying the glue to the object, and adding a piece of the napkin. Overlap each piece as you go along, until the entire object is covered. I have done an odd shaped bottle, that I've filled with bubble bath, an Ostrich egg, a lrg tin can that I use to store cotton balls and things... you can pretty much use anything, and it is so easy to do. (tip... also apply the glue to the top of the napkins, and just spread it around with your fingers, once the napkin is applied to the box)

    Do you eat eggs? These look really pretty when you are done, and can be used for gift boxes or to store small things like earrings etc. Save your eggshells (even ask your friends to save theirs) Break the eggshells into lrg pieces. Apply Elmers glue to the box you are using, in one small area at a time. Take a piece of eggshell, and crush it down with your fingers, onto the glue, and continue that until the box is covered. Let it dry, and then spray it with a craft spray, with your fave colour. Use sparkles too if you want before your spray is dry. Anything goes really. You can even decorate the box with some small artificial or dried flowers, or beads etc. and glue them on afterwards. I know this may sound weird, but they really do look pretty.

    If you like flowers, go to your local craft store, and start with something small. Ask the staff for some tips. Buy a few inexpensive flowers, and a vase or container, and just fool around with them. You could also do this with fresh flowers from the supermarket, they usually have inexpensive bundles. You can also add things that you find in nature. Twigs, interesting looking leaf stems or grasses, pine cones, moss... so many different things, depending on where you live. They are fun to do, because if you mess up, you can always take the flowers out and start over. There is no tried and fast rule to follow, just whatever is pleasing to you.

    Good luck! You have got many interesting ideas from the others also! :)
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    mybaseballcards Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Aug 12, 2008, 06:11 PM
    Baseball cards, there is a link to my community for baseball cards in my signature and it is free to join. You are more than welcome to become a member and meet all of the collectors there.
    amanda-kym's Avatar
    amanda-kym Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #11

    Oct 15, 2008, 11:35 AM

    Exercise is great for depression as itn releases "happy hormones". I too suffer from depression and have started kickboxing a few weeks ago and am really enjoying it. It has helped me have less bad days. You could try a sport or if can't afford it, try jogging, cycling or maybe a fitness dvd
    amanda-kym's Avatar
    amanda-kym Posts: 78, Reputation: 5
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    #12

    Oct 15, 2008, 11:36 AM
    Oh yeah and forgot to mention that anything that involves eye to hand co ordination is good, I also do cross stitching. Takes my mind of things and gives me something to be proud of at the end making me feel satisfied
    ingrid119's Avatar
    ingrid119 Posts: 63, Reputation: 9
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    #13

    Dec 7, 2008, 08:37 AM

    Yoga would probably be great. There might be a place where you can take classes and I know at least for me being around other people helps my depression. Also one thing that I've found is graphic art. I don't know if your computer came with any type of paint shop pro or photoshop but those programs are great and if you don't have them they usually have trials on their main sites. There is a site called Pandora's Closet which has great tutorials to learn the basics of graphic art and is fun because they have challenges (there are guidelines and you compete with other artists). Great way to pass the time.
    N0help4u's Avatar
    N0help4u Posts: 19,823, Reputation: 2035
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    #14

    Dec 10, 2008, 07:34 PM

    When I was depressed and feeling down I read self help books, personality traits and psychology books. I read up on things to do with moods and feelings etc...
    You can also look these things up on the internet.
    It doesn't have to be psychology it can be anything from bird watching to thermodynamics or whatever your interests are.
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #15

    Dec 13, 2008, 10:06 AM

    I know that the question is pretty dated now, but I just wanted to add that taking some kind of music lessons can help. If you get the right teacher, he or she can make you feel like a million dollars.

    For instance, if the teacher is able to teach improvisation, it's possible to get students playing within minutes, music that can be fairly complicated when played as a duet with the teacher. The ability to read music doesn't have to factor in at all.
    rose1111's Avatar
    rose1111 Posts: 24, Reputation: 2
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    #16

    Dec 31, 2008, 08:18 PM

    Did you know that physical activity (air, water, plus heart rate up) equals endorphins? They combat depression, it's chemical. Also vitamin B complex aids in combating depression. A lack of water causes authority rebellion ( yourself being the authority ) I think if you combat depression you will automatically find things to do! Once you get it on the run be sure to look at your heart and see when it takes flight to make you happy!
    curtisst's Avatar
    curtisst Posts: 40, Reputation: 9
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    #17

    Mar 12, 2009, 03:46 PM

    I empathize with you, truly. I went through a rally bad time, and still do sometimes after my wife of 30 years left me. My own personal therapy are my gardens and visiting the ocean. I live about 3 hours or so from N.H. Mn. And Ma. Beaches so when I need a break that's where I go. My first pickmeup is when I start seeing the salt marshes as I get closer, then the smell of the ocean and then all it's majesty when I finally arrive. Sitting on a big old rock on Rt. 1A along the N.H. ocean side with a pair of binoculars, a camera, watching fishing boats, people playing on the beaches, searching for shells and contemplating how small I am considering how big the ocean is. It all grounds me again for quite some time. Try it. It's a hobby all in itself. God bless and good luck. Tom
    tropicaliano's Avatar
    tropicaliano Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #18

    Mar 22, 2009, 03:28 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by amricca View Post
    Do you have a job? You could work part time doing something, you would meet people, get out of your room and make a little cash in the process.
    So simple and so truthfull. Having a job that activates our potentials and habilities is the cure for many of our problems.
    mesing2u's Avatar
    mesing2u Posts: 24, Reputation: 1
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    #19

    May 12, 2009, 09:05 PM
    Hi there,

    I just posted another answer similiar but thought you may enjoy something that I also do. Sculpting with polymer clays......I know the depression thing pretty well and battle it with things like this. I learned to make little fairies, babies, etc....through online information and lots of trial and error. When you complete a work of art it is almost like "giving birth" if you will..LOL Or at least that is how I feel, a sense of accomplishment. Squeezing & preparing the clay is also a good stress relief and then you can express yourself with whatever you decide to create. Not to mention that people will pay for your works of art and if you are a college student that can be handy :) I hope this helps! :D

    Quote Originally Posted by emb7617 View Post
    I am a twenty year old depressed college student with a short attention span. I spend most of my time in my room and end up driving myself crazy. I cannot find a hobby or any entertainment besides television and reading. Help me!
    purplestar's Avatar
    purplestar Posts: 33, Reputation: 2
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    #20

    May 21, 2009, 10:03 PM

    I just learned how to knit and am going to learn how to crochet it really helps me forgot and just relax, It's also great when you finish and see your completed work.

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