Everyone feels down from time to time; it’s part of the human experience. While mindfulness practices teach us that it’s okay to sit with those feelings of sadness and discomfort, there’s also value in doing small things to bring yourself out of your mood. Coming up with ideas to improve your mood or situation can sometimes be challenging, but you might be on the path to feeling more like yourself by trying some of the following things.
Online Shopping
If you’re in a financial position to do so and have been thinking about updating your wardrobe for some time, online shopping with reputable eCommerce businesses like Dainty Jewells might be worth your while.
It’s difficult not to feel happy when you can browse a range of beautiful products, and you might be even more cheerful when you find something you like and can have it delivered to your home within just a few days.
However, you don’t always need to buy something to notice an improvement in your mood. Experts have pointed out that even the possibility of a reward like a new garment can release the hormone neurotransmitter in your brain called dopamine that makes you feel good.
Connect With Friends and Family
If you’re feeling lonely, sad, overwhelmed, or even angry, connecting with friends and family can be one of the best ways to overcome these feelings and change your mindset. Otherwise, you might spend your day allowing your emotions to consume you, ultimately achieving nothing but internal discomfort.
Friends and family can be a shoulder to cry on, a support network, and a distraction. They can also be who you call upon to join you for fun activities when you want to break away from the mundane aspects of everyday life.
Exercise
Health professionals recommend exercise for a number of reasons, such as fitness, health, and strength. However, studies show that it can also help you feel happier. Even if you don’t enjoy traditional exercise or haven’t partaken in it for a long time, there’s value in trying it.
A short 10-minute walk in nature, a jog around the block, or a yoga class with a friend might all be ways to cheer yourself up when you’re not feeling at your best. There are many different ways to get active, and you might be surprised at how uplifted you feel when you spend just a small part of your day getting your heart rate up.
Sit in the Sunshine
Sitting inside all day with the curtains closed might not put you in good spirits. However, if you were to step outside and feel the warmth of the sunshine on your skin, you might just feel your mood lift. Get comfortable, and take the time to enjoy it. Just 10 minutes in the sun with a book and a refreshing beverage might be all it takes to transform your mood and give you the motivation you need to make the most of your day.
Have a Shower or Bath
Having a shower or a bath can feel like a chore, particularly when it forms part of your everyday routine for work or school. Although, bathing and showering can also be a worthwhile activity when you’re trying to shake off the pessimism you’ve been feeling.
Studies have shown that people who take baths or showers can feel warm, relaxed, less fatigued, and even refreshed. If there’s ever a moment in your day when you’re struggling with your physical or mental health, running warm water on your skin might be more impactful than you think.
Watch a Funny Movie
Many of the most effective methods for cheering yourself up involve getting outside in nature. However, the weather isn’t always going to be suitable for outdoor adventures. Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor activities that might positively impact your mood. Consider gathering your nearest and dearest and settling in to watch a funny movie with a selection of delicious snacks like popcorn and candy. Alternatively, you can watch a funny movie on your own and keep all those snacks for yourself.
Arts and Crafts
It’s easy to while away the days browsing social media platforms and binge-watching your favorite TV shows. You can then end up down a rabbit hole with very little motivation to do anything else. Arts and crafts might be ideal for switching your attention to something productive. You might decide to take up knitting, crocheting, and painting, which can be relaxing activities that provide you with something to be proud of at the end of the project.
Cook or Bake
Takeaways can be convenient, affordable, and fast, but there’s potential to gain great satisfaction from cooking and baking for yourself and your family. Use nutritious ingredients that benefit your physical and mental health, and explore new cooking techniques you might not have tried before.
You may even enjoy the challenge of trying new cuisines or dabbling with complicated baking techniques that require skill, attention, and patience. Even if cooking and baking aren’t your forte, you might discover a hidden passion for it when you start thumbing through the pages of a recipe book.
Get Dressed Up
Most people own loungewear, which is comfortable attire with soft fabrics that you wear while spending time at home. Given its comfort potential, you might be tempted to spend most of your time in loungewear and ignore the rest of your wardrobe.
However, when you look your best, you often feel at your best, so don’t underestimate the value of pulling something gorgeous out of your wardrobe and trying it on. Pair it with accessories like necklaces and nice shoes, and even consider applying skincare products if you think it will make you feel even better.
You don’t need to look good for anyone but yourself, but you might be surprised by how refreshed and empowered you feel when you take a break from your everyday loungewear.
It’s only natural to have negative emotions during challenging times of your life. Sit with those feelings and allow them to just be. However, there’s no reason why you can’t also come up with ways to help yourself feel better as you ride those emotional waves. Any of these options above might put you on the path to having more good days than bad ones.
