What things do you do to lift your mood?

[OneThingOffTheList]

Going through a difficult time just now and trying to find ways to keep my spirits up.

What things do you do that lift your mood?

Walks in the country side (easy for me as I live in quite a rural area) I used to live in very built up, run down areas when I was younger, even then I'd go to local parks or I'd find a patch of green, preferably with a few trees and just sit there soaking up the 'nature'. These days I'm actually in real natural surroundings and I make the very most of it. It's never failed to make me feel at peace.

Running
Swimming
Biking

Sport is the only thing that is guaranteed to work. Frustrating when I can't get out (lone parent)

its glass that the sea has made smooth and gives it that speckly look.

Seeing friends
Going to my allotment
Taking a cup of tea and sitting in the garden or a thermal mug to the park, sit in a bench, watch the workd go by. In winter going for a coffee in town by myself with a book or some crochet to do.
Beach - but we live too far away (45 mins drive) for it to be an everyday thing.

Exercise
Time on my own
Soaking in a hot bath

I know this isn't what you asked but could i add that if things are difficult for you at the moment, that you try to simplify other areas of your life to take pressure off and give yourself time to do the relaxing / mind boosting stuff.

So for example - unless you enjoy cooking there is no need to cook from scratch - a ready meal with veg/salad portion is fine, as is cheese in toast with an apple, or pasta and tomato sauce & yogurt etc

I get what people are saying about decluttering can make you feel better - but don't put yourself under pressure - a quick tidy/Hoover the middle of the floor/ quick wipe of surfaces is fine - don't feel you have to clean to perfection

The same for washing - unless clothing has visible stain or is smelly it will do another day

And if you have your own difficulties then don't fill your head with things you have no control over or don't affect you directly (world events / politics)

Otherwise I totally agree with the suggestions around get outside / somewhere green if possible/ play music / walk or cuddle pets/DC if you have them - these always work for me. And thank you to the posters who've made other suggestions I would not have thought of which I will try to incorporate into my life.

My dog
Nature- forest, ocean etc
Watching the sunset
Watching stand up
Working on a new DIY project, even just painting an old cabinet
Planting things
Yoga
Meditation
Sleep hypnosis
Starflower oil/Evening primrose oil
B6
5htp if you’re not on SSRIs
Writing a list of things I’m grateful for everyday
Planning trips
Painting rooms in my house
De cluttering
Writing lists (books I’ll read this year, tasks I’ll do this week, places I want to go, things I want to achieve)
Making mood boards
Writing poetry (I know, I know 😅)
Watching funny silly stuff that makes you laugh
Reading books that sweep you in
Luxurious baths
Choosing a recipe you’ve never made before
Drawing with pastels or charcoal
Changing a room around
Charity shop challenges (give yourself a small sum of money and you and a friend or just you alone, try to get the best bargains or fixer uppers)

Ooh yes, going round the charity shops, books are my treat.

Same here meet I always leave with armfuls of books! Contrasts a bit with my bursts of minimalism/decluttering 🤣