What do you do to feel better when you are down?

Plant flowers.

Depending on the situation I might aim for distraction or immersion.  Distraction in the form of a favorite movie or activity, doing something fun with my kids, yoga, long drive in the country, etc..  Or I might just embrace the sorrow and immerse myself in it: spend time remembering happy moments, accepting that the hopes for the future will never be, reliving stories by sharing them with other family members.  Sometimes just doing something good for myself like a massage or manicure will help.  I've also done something that the person I'm missing enjoyed doing.  My grandma had a ritual involving when she got her hair done and where she went to lunch afterwards so I did that.  I've had family that had a favorite store or park, a place we shared many happy times, so I might go there for a few moments, kind of like hugging the memory and then letting it go and moving on.  

Do you have any hobbies or are you artistic at all?  One time I bought the largest canvas I could find and painted on all the things that reminded me of them and what our lives were and could have been, all the things that reminded me of them.  It's been many years ago now but I still feel a peace and comfort when I see it.

Everyone's grief is different (and yes, even after all this time, you are still grieving) and no one way is necessarily right or wrong.  I hope you find what works best for you.  

I do something for someone else. Help someone who needs it or volunteer. It feeds my soul, which can only help how I feel.

I throw myself one heckuva pity party. I take the day off of anything and everything I don't want to do. I stay in my most comfy pajamas, watch an array of mind numbing shows, or read a really engrossing junky book. I cry ugly and pray when the urge overtakes me. At the end of the day I take a hot shower with my music on loud and sing and cry a bit more in the shower. Then I take a sleep aid, get in bed, read and knock out. Sometimes I talk to my husband and he hugs and consoles me and that helps, too.

That's my pity party approach but I also have an alternate celebrate life version that gets me out of the house and into nature. A long drive, visit a park, feed some ducks, swing on the swings, walk around, pray and appreciate the good memories of the past and all the life I have before me.

Sending you HUGS susans sister. Be gentle and patient with yourself.

I'm sorry you are feeling sad.

What I do depends on what it is I'm feeling down about. Sometimes I try to distract myself, and other times I just let myself feel my feelings so I'll get over it.

I still miss my parents now and then and it's been 5 years since my dad passed and 15 since my mom died. But then I remember that now I have other things in my life, like grandchildren, who make me happy. And I truly believe my parents are nearby.

Shop. Helps every time.

I always watch the Kevin Sullivan Anne of Green Gables movies on DVD. Seriously.   It's like my reset button and all is well with the world.  I was traumatized to hear that the actor who played Gilbert died recently.  Try it!  I'm sorry you're feeling down.  Sometimes a little "me" time is the magic ticket.  

Im so sorry youre missing your mom, I imagine thats something that never goes away my thoughts are with you

I normally talk it out, cry about it, and/or cuddle up with my pups

If possible I go for a long walk with my camera, being outdoors works wonders for me. Sometimes I wallow for a bit then give myself a good talking to and just carry on. Sorry you're feeling down.

ETA I also shop!

((hugs)) to you. I usually try to distract myself with something else or just sleep.