You top tips to improve mood

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I feel sad. I have reason to feel sad, I've had a difficult time recently and lost three people in 3 weeks, but I often feel like this anyway, so I don't think it's wholly that. I also have a chronic pain condition but I try not to let that hold me back.

I'm on holiday at the moment. I am very lucky to be here. I have exercised which has helped.

When you're in a funk, what helps you get out of it? Any top tips would be so appreciated right now xx

I’m sorry about your losses. It’s a tough time of the year to lose people you love.

What helps me is movement, so not so much exercise as in going to the gym, but being outside, walking, nature, fresh air.

And cold water swimming. It’s made a huge difference in terms of my anxiety and stress levels.

I’m sorry about your losses. Be gentle on yourself, grief takes a toll for a long time.

Yoga is key to my mood lifting, and pan reducing, I recommend Yoga with Adriene Yoga for Comfort and Nourishment for a gentle hug to your soul.

Thank you both for replying. I like yoga so I'll try and get back into it. I also love the idea of cold water swimming too!

A hot shower and hair wash ans blow dry. Body moisturiser, clean clothes full we (maybe harder on holiday)

someone posted this on Facebook in a list of things to do if you are low mood or struggling. This is the only one I remember

other thinks at z20 minutes in mature and 5 minutes of morning sunlight.

I've woken up today feeling rubbish. We have lots of activities planned today so hopefully that'll take my mind off things a bit. It's lovely and sunny (but freezing), going to do a quick walk soon.

I'll definitely do this when back for our walk (doing a sport first so showering later). Thank you.

I hope you feel a tiny bit better after doing this 🥰

Sometimes a good old wallow helps. Not excessively. But if you're always trying to get on with it/not let it hold you back/look on the bright side/count your blessings etc. it means the loss and sadness isn't processed and as a result is always with you. Sit with it for a bit. Then do yoga, cold water swimming and hot showers.

Doing something nice for someone else, completely unprompted.

One of my things is to go and write a recommendation on LinkedIn for someone I work with. It makes me stop and think positively about that person and why I admire them, which cheers me up. Every time I've done it, I've had such lovely messages afterwards, which feel like a bonus mood lifter.

If LI isn't your jam, then sending a message to someone you haven't spoken to in a while is just as good. If finances permit, buying them something to be delivered. All the same principle.

Really beautiful music helps me so much. If you like classical music, Bach is very mind-cleansing, and gentle piano sonatas by Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy etc are very calming, as is some choral music. If that's not your thing, some upbeat music from happy times can work - I love old disco classics, Graceland, a bit of ironic country music - any feelgood pop or rock.

Also, focusing on nature. I put out food for local wildlife and then watch them all come and feed - looking out for rare birds or enjoying squirrel antics and handsome foxes. I also try and take some time to look at the sky - sunrise, sunset, cloud patterns, the moon rising. Somehow all these lift my spirits.

If you didn’t feel sad after losing 3 people in 3 weeks then your mental health would be a concern. You’re experiences a normal response to a very difficult situation. I am sorry you’re going through this.

More long term- Have you been offered a pain management course? Lots of people report positive things about the one in my area. On BBC sounds there is a really good podcast called the happiness half hour.