How do you purposefully make your day a little brighter?

[ASwanLake]

I have been going through a tough time recently with anxiety and depression. I read a book about improving my self-esteem using CBT principles. One of the things it suggests is planning your day to include both things that are productive as well as things that are enjoyable. However I have really been struggling to think of little moments I can add to my everyday life to make my day more enjoyable. I live quite a passive life and have got myself into a bit of a rut which I think has contributed a lot to the way I have been feeling.

Therefore I would love to know ways in which you add a bit of happiness or comfort or peace to your day. One thing I have been doing is taking my morning coffee into the garden and sitting outside whilst drinking it, it is such a small change and no extra effort and yet it improves my morning a lot.

[peaceanddove]

I think smells are incredibly important for your mood. So I wear good perfume every day, even if I'm not leaving the house.

I have a monthly OPI pedicure. Always having soft, pretty feet is lovely x

Wearing really good quality socks and lingerie, even if it's just under jeans and a jumper.

Make your bed neatly so that it's nice to get into at bedtime and buy really comfortable pillows.

Burn essential oils or a scented candle in the evenings. My favourite ones are from The White Company x

[MondeoFan]

I buy flowers for the house around every 10 days or so.
I make sure I buy lovely tea bags and have a few cups of tea during the day in my best EB mug.
I take the dog for a walk
I play a song game I love online for an hour.
In the evenings I always have a nice candle burning

[BarbarAnna]

I have a much happier, productive day if I:
Shower first thing (well after a cuppa)
Open all blinds and put windows on latch
Walk the dog
Followed by coffee and breakfast

Happy things during the day are;
Light a candle
Read my kindle
Take some photos and edit them
Sit in the garden / potter in the garden
Plan something different for dinner
Do something artistic
Put some music on that I can sing to
Change the beds
Water the house plants

I struggle if the house is a mess. We have had some work done recently and the house has been terrible. My energy levels plummeted. But I am happy now it’s done!

I also struggle if things break. I like to try and fix things and hate it if I can’t.

Earlier this year, I signed up for Freddie’s Flowers and I get them every 2 weeks. I love having fresh flowers around.

Like another poster, I have struggled around 4pm during lockdown. My solution is read my kindle on the bed (and inevitably have a nap, usually with the dog!).

[Spandang]

Flowers in the house
Pineapple in the fruit bowl
Cat cuddles
Gardening. Even ten minutes listening to the birds, breathing fresh air and not feeling trapped or cooped up makes such a difference.
Tea. In a china cup make in the tea pot.
A packet of biscuits that are purely mine, this week it’s rhubarb and custard creams.
Painting. Any old painting. Painting the house, painting furniture or just painting on paper. The act of making and doing is so cathartic.
Cooking good food. Not expensive food but simple good stuff, beetroot out of the garden, roasted, sprinkled with mint and goats cheese.
Breakfast. Even if it’s basic, but sat at the table away from devices.
Yoga and a decent yoga mat. DH bought my new yoga mat when I was feeling a bit rubbish, it’s brilliant, even just to lie on with the patio doors open with a breeze on my face.
Artwork. I have one painting in my kitchen that I know represents someone’s struggle. I keep lovely cards from people on a shelf also in there and when I’m down I look at them. We have gallery walls on the stairs containing photos that are amazing memories. Never forget the love that surrounds you.
Dinner at the table with the kids playing twenty questions. Even if I’m in a bad mood the ridiculousness of children never fails to make me smile.
Vinyl records.
Pyjamas. Good ones. My favourite pair have pockets. The pockets make me insanely happy.

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

This is a lovely thread.

Going for walks with the dog and spending time listening to the birds (I love hearing a Song Thrush going through it’s repertoire!)
If it’s warm/not raining in the morning, I’ll sit outside with a ‘proper’ coffee, first thing. I also have a little teapot with an inbuilt strainer, so making a nice pot of peppermint tea in that always gives me pleasure.
Putting a nice fragrant body cream on my arms before bed time is also a nice ritual and I also recently discovered lavender steam eye masks (Superdrug) - I always fall asleep with it on, it’s so calming.

[DollyMixtureLulus]

I am very anxious and struggle with eating.

I have a shower, get dressed, do my skincare routine and put on clean clothes every day. It’s not easy some days but it always makes everything seem a brighter.

Also making my bed. I like that TED talk too.

[TheQueef]

Lots of help already but I will leave this just for smiles.
Owls laying down (found on reddit) works every time for me.

[optimisticpessimist01]

Making my bed properly in the morning (such a treat getting back in it)
Having a cuppa in the morning sun (I even do this sat on my doorstep in the Winter)
A cold refreshing drink whether its something fizzy or wine
Finding a really good book I cannot put down
Baking/cooking something delicious

[Fanthorpe]

Found it on Amazon - The Wonderful Weekend by Elspeth Thompson.

[Fanthorpe]

I used to have a great book called The Weekend Book which was full of ideas for nice things to do in your free time. I don’t mean a guide to places more a way to structure your time and activities to include nurturing yourself. I lent it to someone and can’t remember who.

[StuffThem]

I love this thread and these ideas!

I like a nice cold fizzy drink - so I'll often have a few cans in the fridge so I can have a nice drink in the evening. Having nice posh herbal teabags for occasionally too, and ground coffee in a cafetiere. I'm out of the habit, but this thread has prompted me to start again, of a nice cafetiere of coffee on a nice posh tray i was given in a nice matching mug with a posh biscuit or cake, on a Sunday as a routine.

Yes yes to a nice bunch of flowers. I also have a sunlounger and sit on it in the garden with my dog most evenings at the moment until it's too cold and I have to go in.

I'm also trying to build in time out with a magazine.

[gloriawasright]

Playing music really loud .and singing loudly ( and badly)

[SheldonSaysSo1]

The best thing I find is a nice hot bath, good bubble bath and maybe a good book. I agree with opening the windows as much as possible and a brisk walk even if its only for ten minutes. You could also aim to connect socially with someone everyday/every other day whether that be in person, via phone/text/email etc.

[OverTheRainbow88]

Every morning after I wake up I open every certain in the house and every window regardless of the weather to make it as airy and bright as possible.

I go outside everyday for at least 3 hours regardless of the weather

[TheOrchidKiller]

Try The Blurt Foundation. They have a website for people suffering from anxiety & depression and they have loads of ideas for self-care, and ways to help you do it.

I need to get back in the habit of doing some of these things again. It's about actually scheduling them in, I think, and making the effort to put the phone down /out of sight. I'm finding current life is making it harder to do some of the things that usually cheer me up, but this thread has given me some ideas.

Thank you!

[Iiketoreadeveryday]

Listen to music throughout the day while working
Enjoy a good cup of tea/ coffee
Smile and laugh daily
Pot about in garden
Make one of my favourite meals once a week
Read a magazine my favourite of all
Or read all sorts online

I'm not sure if you can get a Nz app called Mentemia - A well-being App Or find something light that is similar
Indulge in a hobby
As pp said share jokes via text or memes.
Stop and chat to someone and just listen.. I've tried it is amazing we're the conversation goes or what you learn about them.

As you said it is the little things like
Buy flowers, so lovely
Croissants
Sit outside

Our radio plays a advert which says to name 10 things you are grateful for each day
It helped once our locked down was over here, also while we are in a cold winter and get down.

[Rainbowqueeen]

lighting a nice smelling candle

Some form of exercise - if no time for a walk, simple stretches or yoga at home

I go outside every day

I love to cook so aim to make one new thing a week. I spend time during the week looking for things to make and locating the perfect recipe.

Turn on some fast paced music and dance like no one is watching

Call or text a friend

[Piccalily19]

Chasing/playing with my dog cheers me up no end, we both have a mad 10 minutes of running round which releases loads of endorphins and watching her zoom round the house/garden is fun too.

I also give my partner a really long hug/squeeze when needed. Someone told me it’s scientifically proven that a hug isn’t beneficial unless it’s a long one (think they said at least 10 seconds but I’m not 100% on time). Apparently only long hugs connects people and releases happy hormones.

And finally lying on the grass on a sunny day watching the clouds (an ice cream also helps but I guess I can live without that ha)

[Fanthorpe]

Having a really loud sing. Clean sheets. Polishing something til it shines. Finding something that makes me laugh. Smiling at someone in the street and getting one in return. Definitely flowers. Repotting my plants and watering them. Deadheading so things look fresh.
Going for a fast walk with music playing.

[Beechview]

The things that make my day better are
Going for a walk
Making time to read a book. I’ve been reading in the garden and it’s been lovely
Being in touch with friends and family either by calling or texting
Eating healthy
I’ve started a free course from coursera so true to do a bit of that a few times a week.
Looking at the stars if it’s a clear night

[MrsBobDylan]

@BitOfFun my sewing machine has lovely smooth, cream enamel over steel and it is beautiful to touch. I am sewing with wool blankets at the mo, making blinds and cushion covers, and I spend time having woolly snuggle!

[BitOfFun]

I sit at my sewing machine, and spend an inordinate amount of time stroking my fabrics .

[MysweetAudrina]

An hours yoga every morning at 7.30am. Before lockdown I used to go to my studio before work but since lockdown they have gone online and I created a lovely space in my home where I can roll out my mat and practice every morning. The kids and dh are normally still asleep so there are no demands on my time or competing energies in the house. This is my time for me to connect with my body and my breath.

I also like to have a scented candle lit. Atm I am loving neom candles but I also have an oil diffuser and use lovely mixes depending on my mood.

I also get regular pedicures and have my toe nails painted bright colours and my eyebrows waxed (obviously couldn't get this done during lockdown)

I created a small reading area in my sitting room during lockdown, just an armchair, small table and some plants so I could sit with a book in the window and read if I wanted.

I turned my spare room into a yoga/office space and painted it in calming colours so I would have a nice space to work in during lockdown.

I make sure I have fresh sheets and covers on my bed and always shower in the morning and put on fresh clothes as I always feel better afterwards.

I remind myself of all the things in my life that i have to be grateful for

[MrsBobDylan]

Oh and my black pug - we are both emotionally needy and can be that with each other 😁

[MrsBobDylan]

I find hobbies that I can do at home really help me with anxiety. For me it's crochet and sewing. I love the smell of my domestic sewing machine, it is from the 1960s and it is a lovely colour and shape. My other sewing machine is an old bartered industrial one which makes a continuous hum and smells of machine oil. I love the noise, particularly the click click of the needle.

If I wake early I lie in bed planning out how I will make my next project, what materials I need and in what order.

I had an emotionally messy and unpredictable childhood. With therapy and medication, I have a happy adult life, but I rely on my projects to give me me a sense of order, security and purpose.