The blues gets the better of us all from time to time. Here are 25 quick ways to lift your spirits.
1. Keep a running list of inspirational quotes and uplifting jokes. Consult them when you need it.
2. Call a friend and ask her to tell you her favorite joke.
3. Think about what things would look like if your life were perfect. Now imagine that your life is like this and live the rest of the day with that awareness.
4. Drink two glasses of water. Many times what he thought was sadness was actually just dehydration. It sounds simple, but it’s true.
5. Fake a smile for 5-10 minutes.
6. Read a devotional or an inspirational meditation.
7. Close your eyes for a few minutes.
8. Call your mom.
9. Look through old scrapbooks or personal journals.
10. Go outside. A few minutes of fresh air can do wonders for your mood.
11. Do a very fast jog.
12. Keep a gratitude journal, in which you write down the things you are grateful for. This is a great way to start and end each day. For a quick “cheer up,” write as many thank yous as you can in one minute. do not think; only write.
13. Do something. Use your creative mind and create something with your own hands, whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a scrapbook page, a beautiful flower arrangement, or a batch of cookies.
14. What is your biggest goal (or your biggest problem)? Do one thing that contributes to its completion (or its solution).
15. Keep a running list of the things you enjoy doing. This sounds funny, but sometimes when we’re down, we can’t think of anything. Do something you love to do, just for the sake of doing it.
16. Think thoughts that make you feel a little better. Find the best part of your situation and focus your thoughts on that. Repeat.
17. Eat something healthy and fresh. You might feel sad because your blood sugar has dropped. Eat a plate of fresh fruits or vegetables.
18. Buy yourself a simple bouquet of fresh flowers.
19. Pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate or a cup of coffee and read your favorite magazine for a few minutes.
20. Make lists. It makes us feel so empowered when we can cross things off our to-do lists.
21. Play music. Your favorite songs can really lift your spirits. Use classical music and jazz to calm you down; rock and roll or hip hop to get energized.
22. Write what bothers you, as fast as you can without stopping to think too much while writing. You can achieve a great deal of clarity with this simple exercise.
23. Mark Twain said, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up.” You’re right, and it doesn’t have to mean a huge investment of time. Just do something thoughtful of someone, right now.
24. Clutter a part of your home or office that needs it. These little jobs can be really uplifting, giving us a sense of accomplishment throughout the day.
25. Set a new goal. If I’m feeling down, sometimes all I need is something new to accomplish.
If your mood doesn’t improve right away, go with the flow and accept your mood for what it is. It’s okay to feel sad once in a while. Allow yourself to rest and give yourself time to restore your own happy frame of mind in your own natural time.