[AceHatesAll]

First, I'd like to apologize for being such a whiner, I realize I haven't exactly left the greatest impression here on the Cafe, and hope one day to redeem myself.

Anyway, I was curious about how exactly INFPs cheer themselves up, especially seeing as so many of us often get depressed.



I'm a bit of an escapist myself, when I'm feeling down I usually try to find something funny to watch on TV ( If I'm lucky it's something like The 70s show ) Or I watch movie, preferably one on the long side. I also read sometimes, although if I'm really depressed I prefer to be surrounded with noise.

Basically, anything to escape Real Life.

So how about you? You an escapist too, or do you have some other method.

[SenhorFrio]

when i'm really down, i usally go and pace around in my backyard, and i play laot of vide games-and oddly i'm ALOT better at video games when i'm depressed

[rowingineden]

Bubbles. Confetti. Balloons. Hula hoops. Letting my inner child, all that imagination and fantasy and magic run rampant. Finding something to stimulate myself intellectually or emotionally - games, tv, studying, it doesn't matter.

[Nasmoe]

I listen to music, watch funny movies or go for a drive to clear my head.

[Han]

Sometimes going to the cinema and pretending I don't exist for a few hours helps. Listening to music is always good! As long as it isn't music that excabates the sad feelings, rather than soothing them.

[nikkii]

I do something to express myself

Reading
Writing
Singing
Drawing

I find myself getting depressed because I'm not expressing what I feel I should be said.

[BrightenUp]

Get outside and do some sport! If you haven't developed any interest in any physical activity, take a good, cheerful or spiritual book and read it outside alongside the animals.

Just try to get some sunlight more often. If you can, go to a park or a public area surrounded by people, but who you don't know. I find that I feel a lot better when I can just sit back and observe the comings and goings of other people.

[Applehead]

Sometimes I call my really positive, upbeat ENFJ friends. (They are two of the four true friends I have) It takes a lot of will power to turn off the headphones, pick up the phone and dial, but I always, always feel so much better afterwards. Sometimes if you just try to be positive, you become positive.

In the same vein, I was reading an article about how your friends can affect your behavioral patterns, moods, and even your immune system at psychologytoday.com. Hereit is incase anyone is interested. I also read in this other article that social bonding increases oxycontin in mamals and hormone called progesterone in women. Progesterone lowers anxiety and stress, and is linked to 'altruistic behaviors'. With this knowledge, despite my intense pull to go deep inside of myself and find solace in complete hermitude, I still sometimes force myself to reach out- and it can be really helpful.

I know we can be really closed off and sometimes don't even allow ourselves to have many close friends. If anyone is struggling with this, this mayoclinic article provides some good advice about where to meet people. Volunteering at a hospital or church is a good one. You are likely to find like minded people there. That's how I met my best buds!

As you can probably tell, I also just immerse myself in the internet and read lots of articles to keep my mind focused on constructive things.

Anyway, my wonderful introverted friends, sometimes finding a happy extravert is just what the doctor ordered. Don't make it a whine fest, though. Just enjoy their enthusiasm and it'll rub off on you, my lovelys. Trust that it will!

[vastcat]

For me, it only takes a change of scenery and busting a routine. I get down and depressed when things feel stagnant, even when things are going well. I've reorganized the furniture, driven until I got lost, hung out with friends I haven't seen in a while, picked up a new hobby like fishing or model building/exploding, planned a road trip or vacation, gone to a concert, started listening to music I normally wouldn't listen to, rented a hotel room or rental car for a few nights, worked out to the point of total exhaustion, picked a new skill or subject to learn, write a to do list that is easy to accomplish and enjoy checking everything off, intentionally read, watch or do something that you know will make you angry. I am sure there are more, but that is a starter.

[Peter]

First, I'd like to apologize for being such a whiner, I realize I haven't exactly left the greatest impression here on the Cafe, and hope one day to redeem myself.

Anyway, I was curious about how exactly INFPs cheer themselves up, especially seeing as so many of us often get depressed.

I'm a bit of an escapist myself, when I'm feeling down I usually try to find something funny to watch on TV ( If I'm lucky it's something like The 70s show ) Or I watch movie, preferably one on the long side. I also read sometimes, although if I'm really depressed I prefer to be surrounded with noise.

Basically, anything to escape Real Life.

So how about you? You an escapist too, or do you have some other method.

I'm an INTJ so I probably deal with depression in a very different way, but perhaps I will learn something new here.

Understanding why I feel a certain way is already half the solution (and often the whole solution). Then figuring out a solution for the problem that caused the stress is the second half of the process, if necessary.

From what you´re saying, you´re trying to ignore the stress or find something to compensate. It's a very different way to deal with it. Actually from my point of view, you´re not dealing with it at all. You´re just pushing it forward, but eventually you have to deal with it, no? Or perhaps you hope it will simply fade away.

Is this correct?