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KrissContributor
Hi everyone,
So I know the whole, just doing things anyway regardless, approach but I'm wondering if people do anything else?
Like I know the whole exercise, doing a hobby, probably socialising with positive people and of course reaching out to a professional. But is there anything else people do to deal with this or do we just, wait for it to pass?
Thanks.
In response to: Coping/Managing Anhedonia
tymeModerator
Hey @Kriss ,
Thanks for posting. We had a big live chat about this very topic only last week. I'm sorry you missed it.
As much as we'd like anhedonia to 'just pass', there must be a more active element to it on our part? What do you think?
I'm not sure time itself changes things... but maybe as we learn and find what means most to us, then anhedonia passes - when we least expect?
Thoughts?
In response to: Coping/Managing Anhedonia
Captain24Senior Contributor
Hi @Kriss
I hear you, I’m suffering myself right now.
I usually get enjoyment out of diamond art and lego but right now I’m not. My psych said to leave them for now and try and find new interests. Something to shake up what I’m doing.
Also she wants me to connect with my bestie, I’ve been avoiding her at the moment as I do t feel I have anything to offer.
My psych said just to take little steps at a time and see where it goes from there.
In response to: Coping/Managing Anhedonia
8ppleTreeSenior Contributor
Hi @Kriss
What have you been trying recently? Is there anything that is working better for you?
I don't have the perfect answer, sometimes it works for me and sometimes it is less effective, but I try to combine activities that bring pleasure, ie sitting in the sun (nice for my body) and eating an icecream (makes me feel happy like a kid). Or swimming, with a hot chocolate afterwards. Something just for me.
I'd like to try and break my routine more, do something different each week and see whether that helps, too. I think it might be a matter of gradually building momentum and being excited again, maybe?
In response to: Coping/Managing Anhedonia
Jade30Senior Contributor
Hi @Kriss
I don’t know if I’m struggling with Anhedonia or lack of motivation or something else but I know with my mental illness that I need to rest a lot (like, a lot) to either come back from fatigue or calm down my mania so I often struggle to get going again. One thing I do know is, that I value contentment and just “being.” Doing is not always the answer.
At the moment, I am sitting on a chair in my room facing my glass door, that leads out onto my balcony. My cat is lying on the balcony in the shade and I’m enjoying chilling with him (even though I feel guilty for not “doing”). But what can I do? I’ve walked today, I don’t want to do art today, I don’t want to read up on trivia facts. I wish I could get out but I can’t drive and it’s complicated. So I sit in this moment and enjoy a bit of peace in my mind but also accept the tension that I just can’t will myself to enjoy doing anything.
But I have a plan… I have written down some options in my IPad journal: At a certain time, I will have my arvo tea so I look forward to that, then I have planned to do a “spot of art” (just the tiniest bit) then after that I’ll rest a bit then after that I’ll watch a bit of tv etc etc then prep dinner etc. And then soon enough it’s bedtime.
So with that in mind, maybe you can enjoy some peace and quiet in your mind and make a plan starting from an hour from now and perhaps follow it through to the end of the day. You may not do everything that you plan but it generally works for me.
Good luck!!
In response to: Coping/Managing Anhedonia
AlisseSenior Contributor
Hi @Kriss
It’s wonderful to see you embracing the do things regardless approach, it’s a great practice for managing anhedonia. It takes a lot of self-awareness and motivation, especially on those tougher days.
You mentioned looking for ideas beyond the usual advice of physical exercise, social connection, and hobbies, so here are a couple of gentle suggestions I use, that might feel nourishing.
Sometimes, when motivation feels low, outsourcing self-care can be really supportive. For instance, a visit to the beach can be wonderfully uplifting. The negative ions in the air can help boost serotonin levels, which can ease feelings of depression, while the increased oxygen helps improve mental clarity and reduce fatigue, both of which can positively impact mood and well-being.
Massage therapy is another self-care option that may feel comforting. It encourages relaxation by releasing endorphins, which can improve mood, support better sleep, and enhance the mind-body connection.
These suggestions are meant to bring a gentle, restorative touch to your self-care as you work through anhedonia, and I find them to be manageable when motivation is lacking. I hope you find them helpful.
Take care, and remember to be kind to yourself.
Kindly Alisse
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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