Why Scheduling Activities Is Important

Scheduling Activities

Why scheduling activities is important

Feeling stressed or depressed can prevent you from doing activities that you used to enjoy and made you feel happy. The same can be true for people that drink too much or use drugs.

Spiraling Down

It can work both ways – the less you do the more depressed you feel and the more depressed you feel the less you do. Using alcohol or other drugs can lead to a similar cycle—the more you drink/use drugs the less you feel like doing enjoyable and productive things and the less you do the more you drink/use drugs.

Spiraling Up

By doing more pleasant activities, even if you don’t initially feel like it, you can break the cycle. Motivation follows action.

Types of pleasant activities

Pleasant activities are ones that make you feel better because they are rewarding, meaningful, inspiring, relaxing or fun. They don’t have to be special activities. In fact, most are everyday activities.

Remembering pleasant activities

It may be difficult to remember any pleasant activities. If you are having trouble, review the list we have created and try to find one from that. Or looking over the list may help you remember something.

Review the following list of activities and identify which one you will schedule over the next week. You can create your own activity if it is not on the list. Put a check mark on the ones you can consider doing at another time.

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1. Soaking in the bathtub

2. Collecting things (coins, shells, etc.)

3. Going on vacation

4. Relaxing

5. Using your finer tableware once a week

6. Watching a movie

7. Walking

8. Listening to music

9. Buying household gadgets

10. Lying in the sun

11. Laughing

12. Thinking about past travels

13. Listening to others

14. Reading magazines or newspapers

15. Hobbies

16. Spending an evening with good friends

17. Meeting new people

18. Practicing yoga or tai chi

19. Repairing things around the house

20. Working on the car or bicycle

21. Spending time with children or young people

22. Doing volunteer work

23. Having a quiet evening

24. Going antique shopping

25. Going swimming

26. Playing golf

27. Having get-togethers with friends

28. Having family get-togethers

29. Shopping

30. Spending time outdoors

31. Going for a drive

32. Singing

33. Arranging flowers

34. Practicing religion or spirituality

35. Acknowledging my good points

36. Going for a boat ride

37. Traveling

38. Painting

39. Doing something spontaneously

40. Embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, etc…

41. Sleeping

42. Driving a friend someplace

43. Entertaining

44. Going to clubs (garden, bridge, etc.)

45. Playing a musical instrument

46. Doing arts and crafts

47. Making a gift for someone

48. Buying records/CDs

49. Watching sports (live or on TV)

50. Planning a party

51. Cooking

52. Hiking

53. Writing poetry, stories, articles

54. Sewing

55. Going out to dinner

56. Working on a project

57. Discussing a book

58. Sightseeing

59. Gardening

60. Going to the beauty parlor

61. Drinking coffee/tea and reading the paper

62. Playing tennis

63. Being with my children

64. Watching my grandchildren

65. Going to plays and concerts

66. Working Out

67. Listening to music

68. Refinishing furniture

69. Watching TV

70. Riding a bike

71. Walks in the woods or waterfront

72. Going to a national/state/local park

73. Completing a task

74. Teaching

75. Taking photos

76. Fishing

77. Playing with pets

78. Traveling in a plane

79. Reading a book

80. Acting

81. Enjoying time alone

82. Writing in a diary or journal

83. Cleaning

84. Taking children places

85. Writing letters/emails/blogging

86. Surfing the internet

87. Dancing

88. Going on a picnic

89. Meditating

90. Having lunch with a friend

91. Going to the mountains

92. Thinking about happy moments in my youth

93. Splurging on something

94. Playing cards

95. Solving riddles

96. Having a political discussion

97. Viewing or showing photos to someone else

98. Doing crossword puzzles

99. Shooting pool

100. Dressing up and looking nice

101. Reflecting on how I’ve improved

102. Buying something for myself

103. Talking on the phone

104. Going to a museum

105. Thinking spiritual or religious thoughts

106. Listening to the radio

107. Getting a massage

108. Going to the library

109. Bowling

110. Woodworking

111. Sitting in a sidewalk café

112. Sharing a favorite recipe

113. Going horseback riding

114. Becoming active in the community

115. Doing something new

116. Putting together a jigsaw puzzle

117. Telling jokes

118. Going out to the country

119. Making a contribution to a charitable cause

120. Meeting someone new

121. Going camping

122. Thinking about something good in the future

123. Completing a difficult task

124. Working at my paid job

125. Solving personal problems

126. Landscaping or doing yard work

127. Watching a storm

128. Enjoying a sunrise or sunset

129. Helping someone

130. Talking about my children or grandchildren

131. Complimenting or praising someone

132. Thinking about people I like

133. Doing “odd jobs” around the house

134. Reminiscing & talking about old times

135. Enjoying peace and quiet

136. Visiting friends

137. Doing favors for people

138. Enjoying the company of my partner/spouse

139. Seeing old friends

140. Getting a manicure or pedicure

141. Trying a new recipe

142. Getting involved in a social/political cause

143. Baking a favorite treat