Things that can cheer you up in 10 Minutes

[Pancakepipsqueak]

I am going through a very low depressive period of my life and I don’t want to bore everyone with the details but I wondered if anyone had any things they can do in under an hour that can lift you, even if it’s just to get through the day.

so far I can only think of:
a nice coffee (standing in the garden if there’s a bit of sun)
listening to some good music (preferably very loud to block out the noise in my head)

any tips from anyone to add to my
arsenal?

Watching Ted Lasso.
Cuddling cats.
Hug from DD
Baking a cake - easy, like banana bread
Swim
Working on the allotment or in the garden.
Coffee in the sunshine, as you said OP, also a good lift.

A field of lambs!
An astonishingly hot bath.
Fred Astaire films

Cheese on toast

A bit silly but the Fraggle Rock theme song. I love it.

Anniversaries are very hard. I find planning something to do helps me. It can be something really simple such as buying flowers or a plant or donation to plant trees somewhere in the world. https://onetreeplanted.org/ I like to think there are a few trees growing on different continents in DPs memory.
I’d also vote for playing music.
Audiobooks.
Perfume.
Oil burner.

Sending you hugs. It's so tough when you're feeling down. 🤗
I planted some seeds last Sunday and already they are growing.. I have done Cosmos (love this flower), tomatoes, beetroot and sugar snaps. Random selection but it honestly is giving me pleasure spraying them daily with a misting of water and watching them grow. Maybe try growing your favourite flower/fruit/veg 😊

This is such a lovely thread! Thank you all and so very sorry for your loss OP. I hope some of these ideas help and comfort.

Some things that make me happy:

A candlelit bath while listening to a podcast or audio book if my mind is busy, music if not

A pot of tea or proper coffee. With cake. And a friend to chat to.

Treating myself to a bunch of daffs or tulips.

A few drops of lavender in hot water in all of the sinks in the house - freshens, calms, surprisingly effective.

Creating a mood board on Pinterest - calming or uplifting landscapes, gardens, research future projects and plans, places to visit, anything that keeps my mind engaged but soothed and reminds me there are things to look forward to

An aimless potter around the garden centre

Watching something funny

Reading a book I love

Good luck OP and thanks to all for the brilliant suggestions.

Are there any evening classes you might be interested in? Or even OU courses (expensive, mind) which have tutorials so you meet once or twice a month and spend some time with people who are interested in the same thing?

I have a friend who enrolled in a stained glass class a few years ago and honestly, he's a different man!

I'm so sorry OP

I'm a big fan of a kitchen disco - turn up the music and dance in the most ridiculous way. Your dd might like to join in

Look out of other people's windows around the world: https://www.window-swap.com/Window

Flashmob videos make me happy. I love this one: s and this one: which takes a while to get going but makes all the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

Watch puppies explore an aquarium: p

I’ve read only some of the suggestions snd find them all great. Mine is be easy on yourself, compassion goes a long way to make one feel a little better in dark moments. And sometimes it is better to embrace the sadness and grief snd messiness in life. Sometimes it’s ok to just go back to bed, have a cry, and wait to wake up wash your face and think it’s another day. There is nothing quite like losing a child and I am sorry you had to go through that pain. Your life won’t ever be the same, but you will find ways to smile and be happy, a step at a time. Hugs.

I absolutely agree with @Pinkbatrobi When I feel in ‘that’ mindset ten minutes of being compassionate with myself will lift my mood to enable me to motivate myself to do something. Feelings are hard and they need space to be felt. 🌹

I find doing a few competitions online helps. Just free to enter ones. It gives you a little hope that you might win something nice.