Little things that cheer you up.

[SquashedFlyBiscuit]

Ive been feeling low recently and thought Id be proactive and make a list of little things I could do to cheer me up. And then thought I'd ask mumsnet for their ideas! I'll start...

• Buying flowers does (not possible middle ofnthe night or when funds are low, but its a little boost, especially if daffodils or tulips.)
• A walk in a NT place or easy countryside. Not doable when Im v low but worth planning in otherwise as it always lifts me.
• A cup of tea.
• sitting at a jigsaw. Not currently got the space but I love the meditative feel.

I was coming to say flowers and jigsaws, but you are already there with those

Tidying helps for me. It’s a struggle to find the motivation to do it at the moment, but when it’s done I feel happier and more relaxed that the house is tidy. And gardening when it gets a bit warmer, there’s definitely something in that one with nature thing.

Reading, baths, fresh bedding and clean pjs, yummy snacks and drinks, coffee with a friend, exercise class, cooking a new recipe or baking, watching favourite programmes or films, listen to a podcast, have a nap, colouring in...

I also find flowers make me smile. I have been walking by water regularly and I’ve found doing things for charity such as buying socks for homeless charities or writing postcards of kindness for different care homes is helping me to feel better about myself.

I’m going to get a jigsaw now!

Mine is and always has been food (of the junk variety, naturally) Explains why I am the size of a small house I’m only just starting to wean myself off it, but it’s really hard when you can’t avoid it altogether.

I’m starting to use music more now

Snuggling with my dog, walking him and watching other people stroke and pet him

Clean hair
Making bread from scratch
Cleaning - doing the fridge and freezer are particularly therapeutic
Talking to my mum

I love the ideas! Im famcying teying to make bread from scratch :)

Clean bedding. Buying flowers. A clean house. Candles (not scented). Open windows, doors, letting outside in iyswim. Being outdoors. Cornwall. The sea. Getting a paper accepted for publication. Dogs (especially puppies).

listening to music
going for a run (if Im uo to it)
reading - love a good book
finding a good new series on netflix or similar
gardening
feeding the girds in the garden
a nice bath
a nice scented candle
baking

I put my pyjamas on the radiator in the morning so they're all warm and toasty when I put them on in the evening. Best feeling ever!

Sitting alone with a cup of coffee - like I am right now!

Any exercise - which is annoying as it's the LAST thing I want to do when I'm fed up! Even a youtube work out.

Baking (see Marianne Keyes' book, "Saved By Cake", about how she baked her way out of near-suicidal depression).

Having fake tan on, and painting my toenails while I watch a romcom.

Anything craft-y like drawing or painting (after my divorce I did loads of paintings) or making Fimo models.

Tidying and cleaning (afterwards! Not during).

Doing something kind for somebody else is a real tonic.

Stroking an animal.

Going to bed early after a bubble bath.

Talking to my parents.

Seeing washing on the line in the summer. Don't know why but it cheers me up.

There are jigsaw apps OP or you can get a jigroll thing to store a half done puzzle if that would help. Jigsaws would also be on my list. Other things would be:
Buying flowers
Pottering in the garden (but not in this weather)
Walking the dog (again in nice weather)
Snowdrops/bluebells
Cross stitch
Being near water, but not surrounded by crowds
Eating fish and chips by the sea
Sitting in the garden listening to the birds
Fresh bedclothes
Drinks with friends (not necessarily alcohol)
Laughing with my DH and DS
Having cuddles with the dog

I def need to do some exercise. I dont do anything even when not low and am rather large. Need to find some bitesize ways in as Im sure it would help.

I love all these ideas. Im going to make a list for my wall and try and do happy things more

Having one or more flowering Plants in pots or growing a plant from seeds especially if edible even cress for when you can't afford flowers is helpful in cheering you up imo.

Just seen your last post op. If i can I'll try and do a link later today but look up nhs video exercises i used to do them v v good choices and good to start from again imo . I've been trying to get started again after xmas but you know how it goes!

Zumba! I just beam and beam through the whole class.
My daughters and all their excitement
Oil baths
Clothes
Reading with a cappuccino on a rainy day all cosy inside
Forest walks especially with snowdrops
Coffee with friends
Date with DH
Cinema
Beauty YT videos

I'm going to be late! But hope this link works and helps
www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/wake-up-workout/

Just knowing I have a nice dinner in the fridge and something good on at 9 o clock brightens a shitty day for me. Back to being miserable at 10pm