How to lift your mood when feeling a bit low / bored / fed up

[EatPrayYoga]

I know I have lots to be thankful for but I have been feeling a bit down recently and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I feel down so I do less and then I feel worse the less I do and the less I go out.

I need to work on it but not sure how. I don't feel like doing anything.

I might make myself do an online exercise class shortly and see if that helps as exercise can lift my mood.

exercise, running, a long shower, putting on good clothes and makeup, playing a soft song I know well on the piano, baking, kitten videos, donating to cat shelters, looking at the photos of places I want to travel to

also, copious amount of chocolate

Hot bath and a chocolate bar.

Chocolate definitely helps but I'm worried I'm overdoing it and not even enjoying it any more, just relying on it a little

Exercise is good for me. I just need to make myself do it!

Animal videos are great as are my pets.

Sometimes I enjoy cooking and doing something "productive" but when I'm feeling down it really takes a lot of effort to motivate myself.

I enjoy watching a good US drama and a bath but I feel a bit lazy.

I'd like to hear people's good ideas too. My pretty kitty has gone out and I've already cuddled her and called her baby. There's only so much oxytocin she's prepared to give me!

A video call with some friends and a glass or two of wine does wonders for me

Meditate. Mindfulness. Go for a nice walk somewhere scenic. Speak to someone who can lift my spirits and make me laugh. Big, long soak in the bath.

Exercise

A long walk, watch a comedy, get the crochet out or a chat with a friend are my go to's

Yes, exercise then a lovely soak in a bubble bath. I bang on about it all the time but try the FitOn app, its free, a million different workouts and you can filter by length, type and intensity. They have also added a meditation section which I haven't tried yet.

Reading, tea & chocolate, fresh bedding, a long, leisurely shower afterwards body lotion etc, lighting candles, looking at photos, making lists, relaxing on sofa watching tv.

Running

I'm sorry to any of you feeling this way too

I rarely drink alcohol. Maybe that's where I'm going wrong

A walk usually does me some good but i am having to make myself.

I was doing yoga at the gym before lockdown and found that helpful as well as banning myself from my phone sometimes as SM can be depressing!

making lists

This is an interesting one as I'm a planner and just went to get my diary to make some notes as I find it motivating to plan things.

Get out. Have a coffee and read a book in a cafe. Cinema. Phone a friend or my sister.

The key is to make arrangements with people and just go do it despite not wanting to.

Listen to my dad wrote a porno.
Watch the episode of graham norton with will i am and miriam margoyles.
Change bedsheets.
Have a campfire.

Do something in your house that makes a visible difference. Not just the usual tidying up a bit but reorganise drawers or cupboards. Anything that’s cluttered. Nothing overwhelming.

Cuddling my ds, dh and or car!
Chatting to my mum

I like books and I've been watching one lady on YouYube-Miranda Mills-who makes videos baking with her mum and then they sit down in their lovely cottage in front of an open fire to chat about books and readings that have made them smile.

I wish it was my life-it isn't-but it is just so nice to see them-it feels as if all is well.

Failing a lovely cottage home, I read my books anywhere whenever I feel it is just all getting too much. It helps me at any rate.

Do some tree bathing!

What's that @Cherrypi ?

What is tree bathing?

I agree organising something helps but honestly motivation is at zero though I was active this morning in the house and garden. DH is out and I'm trying to get myself off the sofa to do some Les Mills.

Listen to some music - particularly any cheesy hits from your teens / twenties and sing along

Or dance to them

Definitely pets, I've got a dog , so stroking him or walking him , just watching him sometimes when he chases a fly around makes me laugh

I enjoy reading and have got through around 60 books on my kindle since March . Recently I'm finding it harder to concentrate on them , which doesn't bode well for the weeks ahead .

Maybe buy a trashy magazine

I've bought myself an advent calendar with lots of little treats every day for December (shower gel, hand cream etc)

Go for a drive or a walk somewhere scenic and get some fresh air with a nice view

Do a video chat with a friend or family member . I've just done a video link with my mum who lives in a care home and has dementia . Given I'm not able to see her in person , it makes me happy to see that she's content and smiling with her carer

Some lovely ideas

I can absolutely just sit and watch the animals. They bring me joy

I've ordered a beauty advent calendar and will probably order a chocolate one as well

Which calendar have you got @EatPrayYoga ? I've got a L'occitane one . I've not used their products before but I liked the sound of all the contents .

That sounds great, @EatPrayYoga!

I looked at the Space NK one but t seems a lot!