I came across a question on a social media post about picking the ideal scenery you would like to be in to feel peaceful. Four pictures were offered, all fairly different (ex. one was a view from a cabin on a mountain, one was a view from a home in a tropical locale complete with a waterfall right outside the window, one was a rainy/snowy city scene, and the last was a simple view of some woods outside a tiny house type dwelling). To me, they all looked appealing. Each had it’s own merit when it came to reasons for why they would be peaceful. But, what stuck out to me was that some people’s reactions in the comments towards a couple of those pictures were very distinct and almost visceral. And that reaction was fear. Some commenters said that certain scenes scared them.
This reminded me of something very simple but very important when it comes to developing a self-care plan or managing stress. And that is that what might be exciting, relaxing, or perfect for me, may be terrifying, stressful, or annoying to you. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to taking care of yourself. And, you are the only one you need to convince about what you want. You alone know your background, your emotions, and your level of tolerance today.
So, yes working out can help you feel better when it comes to depressive symptoms. But, maybe it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe instead, you’d rather do some crafting or knitting or hiking. Going on a vacation may be the most relaxing thing you can do for yourself, but maybe a staycation will be what is least stressful for someone else. Do what feels right to you and follow your gut. There are definitely times to push yourself out of your comfort zone and do something a little uncomfortable. But, nothing you do should be dreaded or make you feel scared or miserable. Don’t do something because you think you are supposed to…do it because it is right for you.