Fed up of being sad. Suggest me some cheer ups please

[Scratchingaroundinthesameoldhole]

Long story short I've had a bereavement, illness, caring for elderly parents, dh with depression and really hurtful family behaviour. It's all been such a slog for the last few years and i think I've forgotten how to have fun.

Please can you suggest some reasonably cheap, small ways to start having more fun in my life. I really miss laughter...

Stream some stand up shows.
Watch some comedies.
Meet up with friends.
Read some funny books
Exercise, it releases endorphins

I'm so sorry things are so hard. When my dad died I watched Clarksons Farm - not my usual taste but I needed something unchallenging. I also got kindle unlimited and read lots of romance. Again this wasn't my usual taste but I needed distracting. They were formulaic and funny.

Thanks i keep meaning to find some shows that i would enjoy not everyone else in the family.
Is there an exercise programme (online) you'd recommend?
I need to do something to help my sleep!!

You could start with yoga. Try Adrianne on YouTube.

Comedy: Detectorists, Schitts Creek, The Good Place, Back, Friday Night Dinner, Kaos

There's lots of stand up on Netflix, I don't know your taste but I enjoyed Micky Flanagan recently.

Try Magnesium to help you sleep, ambient sound, meditation or audio books.

There are some funny podcasts as well.

Set a small list of 5 goals - I mean easy-ish ones to achieve or do. Things you'd quite like to see or do or try or learn. The sense of accomplishment as you tick them off will be great. Also, prayer xxx

Agree with Yoga with Adrienne but I'd also say Couch to 5k, or just google loval walks and start puttingone foot in front of the other. It is so great being outdoors at this time of year. Round my way lots of people have got lilac flowering, it smells incredible.

Plant something? One tomato plant in a pot? Some beans or lettuce?

listen to the dawn chorus
walk in the woods, see the bluebells

Another planting / growing suggestion.

Pot marigolds https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/62350/calendula-officinalis/details

Not only are they delightful to look at, they are so easy to grow.

Not just pretty, they have medicinal properties too, which may pique your interest.🌻

When you have a salad, sprinkle a few pot Marigold petals on the lettuce. The contrast between the colours is stunning.

I saw my first classical concert last week, it was magical and reasonably priced.

For me a walk with a purpose is always good, even if the purpose is a pub in the middle.

Cold water - Cold blast at the end of your shower, outdoor pool, lake, river or sea.
Couch to 5k
Sing - ideally with others
Couch to 5k
Be in nature
Gardening

Sorry you've had hard time recently.
My suggestions are (1) dancing and (2) running.
Dance- put some music on in the house and just go for it!
Run/jog/walk- getting out into nature really helps centre you and doing exercise will help to start lifting your mood.

Thank you all. I love Gardening and have cried many tears in my garden. I like the idea if a show and I'm going to connect back with my friends as we always used to laugh a lot.

When my life was in absolute turmoil I found a lot of comfort in (I know, desperately sad).... Come Dine With Me. I watched back-to-back episodes for weeks - there was just something very comforting in the format (plus the voice over guy is hysterical). Also, cats and dogs doing funny things on YouTube, going for a run in the sunshine, and Ghosts on IPlayer.

I love Betty Rocker for exercise. She really makes you feel she is there with you, and on your side. She’s really ‘feel good’. I did her free 30 day challenge ( not sure if she still does this) and then bought several of her programmes.