	Depression
	Stress and Anxiety
	Self Harming
	Suicide
	ADHD
	Psychosis
	Bipolar Disorder
	Sex and Sexuality
	Drugs and Alcohol
	Eating Problems
	Other Stuff

Distractions

Whatever the stress, whatever the problem distracting yourself can help a lot. Finding something else to do, something else to think about will help us relax, clear our head and make proper space for tackling problems properly. You can't distract yourself forever, and will need to find some time to address the cause of stress at some point but try some of the things on this list to see if they suit you, and remember... have fun!

•	Arty stuff e.g. kits such as beads, plants, fimo, cards etc
•	Visit a craft shop for inspiration
•	Do a class on how to make things
•	Go for a walk/run
•	Plant and look after a garden
•	Walk/pat/hug/brush/groom a pet
•	Go to a pet shop
•	Go to the mall and shop/window shop
•	Play arcade games
•	Eat a little nice food without feeling guilty
•	Get a massage
•	Get a haircut
•	Go to the museum or library
•	Go to a movie
•	Watch TV & do something else at the same time e.g. jigsaw, crossword, stringing beads, baking
•	Play a board game or cards
•	Construct something e.g. using lego, kinex, clay, play dough, fimo, soap
•	Spend time with someone you like
•	Do grocery shopping
•	Play a sport
•	Go ten pin bowling or play mini golf
•	Feed ducks at a pond
•	Go for coffee
•	Go to the beach
•	Go to the zoo
•	Have a sleepover
•	Dance
•	Take a bath or a shower
•	Talking to someone on the phone
•	Play a musical instrument
•	Make up a tape - a mixture of songs you select
•	Sing/whistle/hum
•	Write a letter/story/poem/lyrics etc
•	Dream
•	Look on the Internet for stuff that interests you
•	Design your web page
•	Tidy/rearrange your room
•	Make a gift for someone
•	Paint your nails
•	Listen to a CD
•	Plan an outing
•	Play games on the computer or playstation games
•	Dream about the future
•	Holi-hour (like a holiday, but for an hour)
•	Lie in the sun (with sunscreen on!)
•	Meet new people
•	Practise something
•	Play hackey sack
•	Learn something new e.g. Juggling, riding a unicycle
•	Have a discussion/debate
•	Pick flowers and rearrange them in a vase
•	Go skating
•	Go to a play or a concert
•	Make lists of tasks
•	Acting
•	Solving riddles
•	Writing in a diary
•	Spend time with children
•	Pray/meditate/do yoga/practise tai chi or qi gong
•	Play a board game
•	Do some volunteer work
•	Thinking positive thoughts

Self Care Ideas
It is also important to take time to look after yourself, number one, numero uno! If we don't take care of ourselves and dedicate some time to self-care then problems can easily get on top of us and things can seem ten times worse than they really are.

•

Deal with one worry at a time
Not all at once - or - give yourself a set time such as 6 o'clock to worry about something.

•

Find a motto for yourself e.g.

-	One step at a time
-	If it's going to be it's up to me
-	There can't be a rainbow without a thunderstorm
-	Where there's a will there's a way

•

Find a theme song for yourself e.g.

-	Affirmations by Savage Garden
-	I can see clearly now the rain has gone
-	Hakuna matata - no worries
-	You get what you give - The New Radicals
-	Reach for the stars - S Club 7
-	Happy Shiny People - R.E.M
-	Don't Stop - S Club 7
-	Hero - Mariah Carey
-	Somewhere over the rainbow
-	You're gonna make it after all - From the Mary Tyler Moore Show
-	Whatever makes you happy - Powderfinger
-	Lean on me
-	I believe I can fly - R. Kelly
-	Place in the sun

•

Try and have a balanced lifestyle
When you're eating properly, exercising a little and sleeping ok stuff seems easier to manage.

•

Hold on to something like a soft toy and think nice thoughts
Whenever you hold this object, think nice thoughts.

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