When you’re feeling down, doing much of anything to boost your spirits can feel daunting. Sure, you want to get out of your rut, but you don’t always feel like you have the energy or stamina to really do much of anything.
I’ve felt that way myself many times, especially this Winter. Whether it was the pregnancy hormones, depressing weather, or after-holidays lull, I’m not really sure. But I often felt down and wanted to find easy, creative ways to start feeling like myself again.
(Major disclaimer: There’s something to be said for practicing emotional self care and truly feeling your feelings, so sometimes it’s best to go that route versus trying one of these solutions. Also, if you’re feeling anxious or depressed, speak to a doctor or mental health professional! The goal of this post is to share some ways to cheer yourself up when you’re in a funk, versus anything more severe.)
Onto the tips!
How to Cheer Yourself Up?
1. Listen to a mood-boosting playlist.
Turning on some music is super easy to do, and can completely shift your mood. One of my favourites is aptly named Mood Booster on Spotify, and it’s fantastic. I like how the music is uplifting but light – it doesn’t feel too campy or pop-like.
You can also search Spotify or your favourite music player for specific genres, moods, or artists and go from there.
What I love about this tip is that it requires so little effort, but can have a big impact.
2. Read a book.
Love reading? Me too!
Pick up a new book or return to something you’ve been reading. This gives your eyes a break from your phone or computer screen, and depending on the book, allows you to escape to a new world or to learn something new.
Want some recommendations?
For self-help and personal development, I’d recommend Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown or You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.
If you’re more into fiction, I loved The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware, pretty much anything by Liane Moriarty, and the Harry Bosch series from Michael Connelly.
Don’t blame me when you find yourself still reading, 5 hours later! 🙂
3. Call a friend.
Sometimes, feeling down is made worse by isolation. If you live alone, work alone, or simply isolate yourself when you’re feeling down, you may relate.
I’m an extrovert myself and find my energy wanes when I go several days without much human contact. It makes me go a little crazy!
So if you’re up for it, call a friend or family member. It can be so nice to connect with someone a bit more “live” than over text. And nowadays, you can Skype or FaceTime to make it more “real.”
(If you have the energy to meet a friend for coffee, go for it! I suggested the phone because this list is all about doable tips for when you’re in a funk, but going out and doing something social can definitely help.)
4. Get outside.
This one made me smile because I’m not outdoorsy at all. I wish I was, but I’m just not.
There’s something about fresh air, though, that can make me feel a whole lot better. Sometimes all it takes is a walk to the mailbox down the street for me to feel lighter and more uplifted.
So if you’re not outdoorsy, try that – something small and super achievable like walking down the block and back or sitting outside for a few minutes.
And if you ARE outdoorsy (lucky you!) go for a walk or hike or whatever seems manageable.
5. Practice a hobby.
Our hobbies are things we enjoy doing, so why not dabble in one to cheer yourself up?
For me, this is baking. Sometimes I don’t have the energy or desire to make something fancy, but just spending some time in the kitchen following a recipe and making something from scratch is incredibly therapeutic. And at the end, I have something to show for it! Win-win 🙂
Some other hobby activities you may want to consider are writing, drawing or designing, cooking, and craft projects, though the options are endless!
6. Get moving.
This one may be easier said than done since sometimes the last thing we want to do when we’re in a rut is go to the gym.
The key is to take that first step towards something doable. This may be as simple as following a Hatha yoga video on YouTube or riding a stationary exercise bike for 5 minutes. Chances are, once you start, it won’t be as bad as you had feared, and you may actually enjoy it and exercise for longer.
A simple walk around the neighbourhood or a mall (if it’s freezing out!) can also do the trick.
Hello, endorphins!
My blog posts Lazy Girl Workout Hacks: How to Make Exercise More Bearable and The Best Workout Motivation: 5 Ways to Get Moving are also worth checking out for more on this topic.
7. Do something productive.
When we’re feeling down, the thought of crushing our to do list or working away on a project may not feel achievable. But conquering just one task can be less intimidating.
I’d encourage you to do something productive that also seems at least a bit enjoyable. For me, this may look like packing orders for my Etsy shop, decluttering a room in the house, researching baby products for our registry, or creating new pins for my Pinterest page.
Getting any one of these done isn’t too much work, and once it’s done I feel a sense of accomplishment. This often leads to me wanting to do even more!
8. Watch something funny.
While I try to avoid too much screen time when I’m down, sometimes watching a funny show or video can make me feel so much better.
If you have the time, an episode of a comedy like The Office or Seinfeld can help boost your mood.
If you’re in a rush, watch a video segment on EllenTube! Her show is funny and heartwarming, and watching even a 2-minute video can make me feel better.
9. Get dressed (and even a little done up!)
I know, I know – when you’re in a funk the last thing you want to do is care about your appearance. You are probably rocking sweats and PJs whenever you can, and your hair is likely in some sort of bird’s nest top knot.
I hear you, because that’s my go-to look most days.
But staying in your PJs is not exactly a recipe for an uplifted mood and feeling of confidence.
Instead, put on a little makeup, brush your hair, put on comfy but presentable clothes, and see how you feel. It may seem useless if you’re staying at home, but if it makes you feel better, that’s all that matters.
10. Do something kind.
When we’re in a rut, it’s often difficult to see beyond ourselves and our own problems. But doing something kind for others can make a huge difference to our mood!
Some easy ways to spread the love:
- Send a handwritten letter or thank you note to a friend, family member, or someone who has made a positive impact in your life. (More on that in my post 3 Meaningful Ways to Express Thanks).
- Check in on a friend or family member who you haven’t spoken to in a while.
- Make a donation to a charity that’s meaningful to you.
- Share someone’s work, especially if they are an entrepreneur or small business owner. You’ll make their day!
It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated, and can make a big impact.
So there you have it – 10 totally doable ways on how to cheer yourself up when you are sad. How do you beat the blues? Leave us a comment!
