Wearing your favorite sweater
If you’ve woken up grouchy, put on your favorite sweater, your lucky socks, or that piece of jewelery your partner gave you. I guarantee you’ll start the day in a better frame of mind. Wearing something which you have an emotional attachment to is almost as good as a hug!
Baking a cake
I love rolling up my sleeves and getting busy in the kitchen, especially when the result is something sweet and delicious! Dig out your favorite recipe for a cake, brownies, cookies or some other treat – and get busy. Long before that delicious baking aroma fills your kitchen, you’ll be cheerful again. If you wake up grouchy everyday, you may want to skip this one. A cake each day is not the answer unless you're giving them away!
Listening to Monty Python songs
Monty Python (a comedy sketch group) has produced some hilarious songs. It really isn’t possible to listen to these and keep a straight face – go on, try it. Here’s a few of my favourites:
Philosophers Song (with lyrics and images of the philosophers mentioned)
Brave Sir Robin (with the film clip and subtitles)
Walking outside
If I’m in a ratty mood during the workday, it’s usually because I’ve been at my desk writing for too long without moving around. I find that a brisk walk always cheers me up. Most of us need to improve our sedentary lifestyle. Get outside for half an hour, and walk off some of that excess energy – for the sake of your physical and mental health.
The beauty of nature
Another benefit to getting outside is to drink-in your surroundings. If you can, get to a park, meadow, wood or other green space. Look at the trees, the leaves, the grass, and drink in all the colours. There’s always something beautiful to see – if we just take a few minutes to stop and look.
Your friends
When you’re feeling down, chatting to friends is a great way to perk up. Even if you’re feeling misanthropic, why not give someone a ring and arrange to meet up for a coffee? Or, write an email to someone you’ve been out of touch with for a while.
Reading a novel
Sometimes, we all need to escape from life for a bit. I find getting into a great novel is an ideal way to do that. Curl up in your armchair with a book by one of your favorite authors and let yourself get absorbed in the story. For me, this works much better than trying to cheer myself up reading online – email and other distractions make it very hard to switch off mentally.
Tidying up / decluttering
Although chores feel like the last thing you want to do when you’re in a bad mood, getting rid of mess and clutter will definitely make you feel happier. Our environment has a strong effect on how we feel – so make sure you’re working (or relaxing) in a place that’s comfortable to be in. The other bonus of getting on with some tidying is that you’ll get a sense of achievement from it – a great spur to doing more, if you’re feeling lethargic or lazy.
Taking a bath
I often feel that I’m too busy to luxuriate in the bath – but I know that’s not true. Taking some time out to really relax will make you far more motivated and productive, and a long soak in a bubble-filled bath is the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day for a good night’s sleep.
Being grateful
One good way to feel happy is to list all the things you’re grateful about. (This can also be quite humbling if you’re feeling hard done by.) Sit down with a piece of paper and pen somewhere quiet, and write down all the things in your life that you want to say thank you for. They can be little or big, silly or profound.
How do you cheer up when you’re feeling down?
