5 activities to help between sessions

Sometimes, the time between therapy sessions can be hard. If you have something big going on or a chronic condition, it can be difficult to just let time pass. You can’t pause your problems. Sometimes, you just have to find ways of handling them until you can really work on them in therapy. Here are five things to do between sessions that can tide you over.

     

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Journaling

Putting thoughts on paper can keep them from incessantly taking your attention. Writing also forces you to slow down your thinking process and helps you see things that you otherwise would have missed. When you do go into therapy, you will have new material to work with. If you are comfortable sharing what you wrote with your therapist, that might help, but you really don’t have to.

Creative expression

Some feelings and experiences are beyond words, at least in narrative form. That’s why it can be so cathartic to express these things through creative means. It can take any form you like. I used to write poetry, then I painted and right now I mostly collage. Other options include writing fiction, other visual arts, dance, theater and crafts (knitting, sewing, repurposing objects, etc.). I promise there’s something for everyone! 

Meditation

Meditation has been used for thousands of years to become more in tune with oneself. Whether used as a spiritual practice or as a means of self-improvement, meditation allows us to slow down and let the body and mind enter a state of rest. You don’t have to have an elaborate routine. Simply focusing on your breathing for even one minute can make you feel better. 

Exercise

The health benefits of exercise are numerous for both physical and mental health. In fact, regular exercise has been found to be comparable in benefits to antidepressants. In the short-term, it can also help eliminate negative emotions. Stress, anxiety, anger, frustration, irritation and more can be taken out at the gym or on a run.

Self-care

Take time to do whatever makes you feel good. It’s easy to get caught up in responsibilities and the never-ending list of things we should do and forget to take care of ourselves. Whether it’s a hot bath, a tasty treat or skipping the dishes for one night, doing things for yourself is important to keeping you mentally healthy.

What do you do to manage the time between sessions? Share your tips in the comments.