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.

I ordered the Look Fantastic one which has a few things I liked the look of and not a bad price.

If not that one it would have been Elle. It's worth a look and I think there have been discount codes if you're interested.

I also ordered the Holland & Barrett purely because of all of the talk about it on the advent calendar threads

Getting out is what I find helps.

Do you have a garden - I love losing an afternoon in the garden. Not doing anything special - just tidying, chopping stuff etc

Going for a walk/jog usually lifts my spirits.

Fresh air.
Swimming.
A really cheesy feel good film.
Decent comedy, like old stuff - Eric and Ernie for examole 😄

Here goes;

A brisk walk in the cold in an open space,
baking or cooking something special and sampling it), 80’s music and dancing around the house crazily, the sense of achievement I get when walking and getting to the top of a fell, the feeling after I have tidied up, exfoliating and putting loads of moisturiser on, washing my bedding and getting into a nice clean bed, the smell of a nice candle, paying someone a genuine compliment, having a good laugh, meeting a friend for a socially distant walk, having a good natter and putting the world to rights.

I haven’t tried this as I am not a keen or confident swimmer but wild swimming seems popular.

Embrace it and feel it. Obviously it’s for a reason, it’s ok to feel down, it’s just a feeling. Allow it to happen and pass on the same way as you would with a more positive feeling.
A few comforts why you feel it without too much rescuing yourself from it. I crochet or cross stitch and watch light tv or listen to music. Candles and hot showers also helpful. Soft cosy clothes.

Thanks everyone.

I have done some exercise including a dancer one (I do Les Mills online) and I feel better.

I agree with all of your suggestions. I do swim or do gardening but we do have a garden and being outside definitely helps as does cooking a nice meal and that sort of thing but I've just felt so fed up. I know many of us are in the same boat and I do have a few things on my mind but I think I need to keep busy and make sure I do the things that lift my mood even if I don't feel like it!

Slathering on some moisturiser and a mask and just taking care of myself helps.

I'm going to make myself do these things and see if it helps. Doing nothing definitely doesn't.

Tree bathing - go stand under a tree.
www.forestryengland.uk/blog/forest-bathing

I write lists. Lists of lists I need to write.
Deep clenaing lists.. Then I clean
About 7 years ago I was in a very low point of my life. It wasn't unusual for me to stay up 24 hours cleaning.. Honestly the place didn't need cleaning. But I felt good doing it.
Things like the cutlery drawers I'd would clean out 3x a week!

I now have the de stress cleaning urges. But I'm too exhausted with the kids. So I just list write and eat junk

My mood gets worse in winter and one of the best tips I’ve heard is to go out and count chimneys! It tips your head up and you seem to get much more light than if you are just looking straight ahead, even on dark gloomy days.

You have all been so kind and some of these are very interesting. I'd never heard of tree bathing or counting chimneys but I can see why it would work. Sometimes I feel so much better just walking to the local shops.

I might make a list of things I want to do and things I know are good for my mental health and try to do a few of of them every day.

One thing I thought I might do is paint my nails as I haven't for ages! I do think it feels nice to pamper yourself a bit and being at home I barely even wear make up. I used to enjoy my morning routine before work and I don't really have one now so that's something I should try to do.

I’m struggling a bit with my motivation and mood. I’ve found it really helpful to look at my thoughts and try to get some space and perspective. I tend to be awful to myself when I can’t motivate myself but seriously? These are hard times and I’m doing well to survive.

I go for a walk to somewhere quiet with something to look at that's beautiful. It's like I need to feed my eyes by looking at something different. I got an OS map so I can go on walks that are nearby but not so well known. This week I found some red and white toadstools. 🍄

Also doing things to make my home nicer. I've painted my front door and redecorated a bedroom.

It's just rubbish not having anything at all to look forward to,

Ukulele! Instant mood boost, anything sounds upbeat on a uke Fairly cheap for a basic one as well - £30 or so.

I watch or look at sites guaranteed to make me laugh.

Cake fails or the Estate Agent one with the lawn chairs of doom. After a few pages of those I am cackling to myself, and laughter raises the mood like nothing else. I will go and hunt for the links for you!

www.cakewrecks.com/

terriblerealestateagentphotos.com/post/62233431072

Honestly. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I laugh until I cry at both of these sites. Helps no end when it's been a shit day.

I buy something for the house on Amazon! Something small that either makes a difference visually or makes something easier/work better. That always cheers me up!

Those real estate photos are fantastic!

Yes shopping cheers me up as does a good food shop but I probably need to cut down on the "retail therapy"!

We have done some things in the house including new carpets and that has been nice. I need to focus on the positives!

Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain on youtube
And Elephant's backsides make me grin..