40 Ways To Boost Your Mood

When life gives you lemons you can count on a few things to bring your spirits up, whether that be by throwing yourself a pity party with cookie dough and Disney films or by planning for a better tomorrow. Even if what’s happening to cause you pain is out of your control, how you react to every situation is completely up to you. We are all are going to experience bad days and bad moods but it’s up to us whether to choose to drown in these feelings of sorrow, sadness and anger or if we choose happiness, enjoyment and peace.

Sometimes we can’t help but wake up in a negative “the glass in half empty” mind-set, but when this happens our mood can snowball with every small but slightly annoying thing which happens throughout the day, leading to a bad mood. When this happens I’ve found that the best way to pull myself out of this mood is to do something which makes me feel good and lets my mind focus on something positive.

And on that note, here are 40 ways to boost your mood for when life gives you lemons. Saving my favourite for last!

boost your mood

  1. Listen to a “feel good” podcast
  2. Buy yourself some flowers
  3. Paint your nails or go get your nails done
  4. Do yoga
  5. Write in your journal
  6. Go for a walk
  7. Go for a run
  8. Do some exercise
  9. Dance like no ones watching
  10. Buy yourself something pretty
  11. Go for a drive and blast out your favourite tunes
  12. Ring a friend or relative
  13. Compliment a stranger
  14. Cook your favourite “feel good” meal
  15. Bake yourself a treat
  16. Read an uplifting book
  17. Watch an uplifting YouTube channel (here are my favourite personal growth YouTube channels)
  18. Buy someone you love a surprise gift (just because)
  19. Go to a crafts shop and create something
  20. Draw (have your tried adult colouring books*?)
  21. Watch a sad film (this one might sound counter productive but sometimes you just need to cry)
  22. Watch a Disney film (entertain your inner child)
  23. Buy yourself a house plant, love it and take care of it, name it if you wish!
  24. Write today off as a “bad day” and plan for an amazing day tomorrow
  25. Plan a holiday (even if you can’t afford it right now, plan a holiday for next year and figure out your savings plan)
  26. Make funny faces at yourself in the mirror until you can’t help but smile
  27. Pour yourself a drink (wine? coffee? smoothie? hot chocolate? milkshake?) whatever you fancy!
  28. Google uplifting quotes
  29. Look at your old photos and put them in to albums (digital or physical)
  30. Pig out on sweets and chocolate
  31. Light some candles, play some relaxing music and have a bubble bath
  32. Put on a face mask and take a silly selfie of yourself
  33. De-clutter your closet
  34. Tidy your office space
  35. Spend time with your pet (or go to a pet shop)
  36. Write down why your upset and then underneath write down five things you’re grateful for
  37. Cuddle (if no one is around cuddle your pet)
  38. Create a dream board
  39. Watch funny animal video clips
  40. Watch this mind blowing video and realise how small we are in the universe. Suddenly our problems seem non-existent!

What are some of your favourite ways to boost your mood?

Laura x

8 Comments

  1. 15/04/2018 / 10:16

    I love going for a walk at the park when I feel down. There’s something about being in nature that grounds you and helps you put things in perspective. šŸ™‚

    • 16/04/2018 / 08:50

      Hey Giorgia! Ah this reminds me that I should have added gardening to the list. Gardening always makes me feel better, like you said, there is something about being in nature that ground us šŸ™‚ Thanks for commenting and I hope you’re well! x

    • 16/04/2018 / 15:41

      Yay thank you! Buying someone a surprise gift always makes me feel great, giving is definitely better than receiving. Thanks for commenting x

  2. 16/04/2018 / 19:31

    We are currently looking for a new living situation (not an easy task in NYC) and this list has really helped my anxiety levels <3

  3. 21/01/2019 / 20:42

    I like to sing along to a fave tune or make myself some good food when I’m feeling down. I also find if you schedule something fun on Monday evenings (or any other day you typically feel a little low in mood) it gives you something to look forward to. Research shows anticipation increases our happiness!

    • 28/01/2019 / 21:01

      These are such great ideas!! I use to do a Zumba class every Monday, which made Mondays actually quite fun!

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