Mood swings can be related to a health condition, an upcoming exciting event, the weather, or a quarrel with loved ones. Mood affects the quality of life, perception of the world and oneself in it, performance, and relationships with other people. If we are not talking about stress, apathy, depression, or other diagnosed diseases, there are many ways to cheer up. We will talk about the simplest and most affordable.
Understanding the importance of cheering yourself up
So, here are 17 ways to cheer up – save for yourself, share with your friends, and choose an item or two to complete shortly.
1. Fulfill some small desire, something that seems trifling to you, but for some reason, you want to: eat ice cream for lunch, drink coffee in the park on a bench, read a book, go to the cinema in the morning, try on unusual clothes in the store.
2. Walk outdoors – in the park, on the embankment of the river, outside the city through the forest. In the city, our view is limited by tall buildings, and for spiritual balance, a person needs to see the horizon. Go to a place where you can peer into the distance and watch the clouds.
3. Get physically active: Dancing to your favorite music, doing Pilates or Zumba on YouTube, and washing windows are great. And another great way to cheer up is sex (with a partner or solo).
4. Listen to energetic music. To cheer up, my friend and I love to listen to loud music in the car and sing along.
5. Play with animals or small children.
6. Rest. The mood often drops due to fatigue and prolonged stress. Include in your schedule such an essential thing as rest. Schedule time just for yourself, and fill it with what you love or sweet idleness – a little respite will not provoke the end of the world, but, having regained strength, you will feel how easy it is now to cheer up.
7. Give someone a gift, donate some money to a charity, or find an opportunity to help someone.
8. Swing, jump on a trampoline, or swing in a hammock.
9. Add some special foods to your diet. The neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphin, and tryptophan help elevate mood. They are found in various products, not necessarily exotic ones. On your next grocery shopping, add something from this list to your cart:
- Dairy products, especially cottage cheese, cheese, and yogurt,
- Fatty fish ( tuna, trout, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, cod, salmon ),
- Bananas,
- Spinach,
- Oatmeal,
- Seaweed,
- Hot pepper,
- Nuts,
- Black chocolate,
- Citrus,
- Avocado.
10. Unplug from social media. Day after day, looking at perfect people doing everything in the world, having breakfast by the ocean, getting cars and Birkin bags as gifts, eating donuts and not gaining weight, is unlikely to cheer up. Take a break.
11. Communicate with those with whom you feel good and calm. Sometimes, just chat with a friend or spend time with your family to cheer yourself up.
12. Turn to humor – look through public memes on Instagram or Telegram, and watch stand-up shows, comedies, or life-affirming films.
13. Do some dramatic makeup and some portraits.
14. Sleep.
15. Put on something beautiful – the clothes in which you feel at your best, or buy something that you have long wanted.
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16. Put things in order on the desktop or in the back drawer in the closet. If, like me, it becomes easy and joyful for you, throwing away the excess, this way to cheer up will work.
17. Smile – your reflection in the mirror and other people.
Please remember that prolonged low mood, apathy, and depression can be symptoms of depression. If you can’t cheer up in any way and the condition does not change, this is a reason to seek advice from a psychologist or psychotherapist.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to cheer yourself up?
It’s different for everyone, so there’s no specific time. Sometimes it takes a little while to feel better, and that’s okay. Just be patient with yourself.
2. Can cheering yourself up replace professional help?
Cheering yourself up is helpful, but there are times when it’s important to talk to a professional, like a doctor or therapist, who can give you extra support and guidance.
3. What if none of the suggested steps work for me?
Sometimes the things that work for others might not work for you, and that’s alright. If you’re feeling sad or down, it’s a good idea to talk to a grown-up you trust, like a parent or teacher, who can help you figure out what might work best for you.
4. Is it selfish to prioritize my own happiness?
No, it’s not selfish at all. Taking care of your own happiness is important because when you feel happy, you can be kinder and help others too. It’s like when you’re on an airplane, and they tell you to put on your oxygen mask first before helping others.
5. How can I maintain a positive mindset in difficult times?
During tough times, it can be challenging to stay positive, but you can try a few things. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel, like a family member or friend. Remember good things that happened in the past or things you’re thankful for. It’s also helpful to do things that make you feel good, like reading a book, playing a game, or going outside to play.