Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for you top tips for staying upbeat and happy...

37 replies

Bubblemonkeys · 02/09/2020 20:45

...this has been done before I am sure, but I have really struggled this past couple of weeks with feeling low and it all seems a bit pointless. On paper my life is pretty great, but I just feel so miserable at the moment. Not looking for a pity party, just wondering - what are everyone’s best mood lifters? And once you’ve perked yourself up, how do you stay there?

OP posts:
TheFuckingDogs · 02/09/2020 21:09

Militant vitamin regime - high strength vit D, 5htp and evening primrose. All daily and never forget.
Also lots of water and aim for good sleep.
And stuff to look forward to, tho ha to be excited about in the run up to them happening 😊

NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite · 02/09/2020 21:17

Take vitamin B and D supplements religiously.
Do not drink alcohol as it is a depressant.
Exercise by getting out in the fresh air and walking daily.
Listen to upbeat music.
Don't procrastinate about doing things if you don't feel motivated. Do them anyway. Enjoyment only happens when you start to do something.

NameChange84 · 02/09/2020 21:19

Read The Happiness Trap and look into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We aren’t meant to be Happy and Upbeat all the time and trying to change and mould ourselves into that only makes us more miserable. Honestly, the book is life changing.

GetRid · 02/09/2020 21:23

Force yourself daily to get outdoors into green space or countryside, definitely a big mood enhancer.

RefuseTheLies · 02/09/2020 21:26

Sertraline, mainly. And a lot of caffeine Smile

Topsyandtimison37 · 02/09/2020 21:28

Every day attire three things you are grateful for that day.

LunaTheCat · 02/09/2020 21:28

Exercise, exercise, exercise..
Is it worth considering depression too?
See your GP and get some bloods.

BlueDream · 02/09/2020 21:29

Weed.

wherestheotherone · 02/09/2020 21:33

Everyday be grateful for the very small things. Eg clean water out of our taps, a house, food, job, friends. Your eye sight, your hearing, your mobility.

Whatever it is that you have got even if it's toilet roll or flooring remind yourself how lucky you are to have it as many others don't.

Eventually it will come naturally and positive/grateful thinking will naturally counteract the negative.

Lifeisgenerallyfun · 02/09/2020 21:33

Well I think it’s important to recognise firstly it’s not realistic or healthy to be upbeat and happy all the time -all emotions have Their uses in the right places. It’s when they start persisting in the wrong places that problems occur. I aim for contentment and recognising the value of all more extreme feelings, but always try and think of what I can learn and grow from in each situation.

I focus on the ebb and flow of life. Everything is transitory, everything changes. Don’t spend your life swimming against the tide You’ll get tired and drown -trust where the sea of life takes you, learn to float, you might not end up at your intended destination, but the world is a wonderful place and you might end up somewhere fantastic. Sometimes that ebb and flow could turn into a tsunami-even so the waters will eventually recede.

Learn what’s important to you and prioritise that -see other things as filler in life, they might be necessary to physically do For physical survival but not worth your emotions.

Don’t carry burdens from past mistakes. I like Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s narrative poem -Rime of the Ancient Mariner it gives a good description of this. A sailor has an albatross placed round his neck to punish him for the crime of killing it, he’s on his own, in the middle of the sea except for the ghosts of the dead crew and evil sea creatures. It is only when he learns to bless all the good and the bad (nasty sea creatures) that he gets rid of the burden of the albatross. A very good analogy for trying to find the positive, no matter how bad the situation Or the monsters around you are. Otherwise you will carry the burden of your mistakes for eternity.

I personally find music, poetry, nature and reading about certain matters fuel my emotions and mind.

Diet plays a massive part, learn to listen to your body what food affects your mood and how.

Mojitomogul · 02/09/2020 21:34

I accept that when I am feeling moody or down, the feeling eventually passes. I used to be quite an over thinker, but now busy myself by making lists and ticking them off each day, it gives a nice satisfied feeling. Also yoga is my saviour, if I can't get to a class at the gym, theres loads on you tube, even 20 minutes makes me feel better. Lots of self care- things that only take a few minutes like massaging in cuticle oil, hair serum, a hot cloth cleanser. A brisk walk or a coffee in the early autumnal sunshine. I often need time alone, and feel guilty for this considering my family are all so sociable, but time by myself keeps me sane!

LaurieFairyCake · 02/09/2020 21:35

You're not supposed to be 'upbeat and happy' Confused

You're not supposed to force anything

Ask yourself how you DO feel, tune in to that. Ask yourself what you NEED, try to give yourself that.

Acknowledging and accepting how you actually feel instead of putting a face on to the world is better.

The less you have to pretend, the more 'really', authentic you, you are.

Lifeisgenerallyfun · 02/09/2020 21:35

And yes definitely agree with gratitude-I begin every day with a brief message of gratitude to whoever is out there for whatever that day brings.

thedevilinablackdress · 02/09/2020 21:35

Aim for content.
And also exercise (only took me 40++ years to work that out!)

Wwydiywm · 02/09/2020 21:37

Regularly look back at old photos on your phone.

OhTheRoses · 02/09/2020 21:41

The only helpful thing my mother ever passed on was: "stand up straight, best foot forward and keep a smile on your face". The world smiles with you op.

Seriously, I'm 60 now and so many times I've been told "keep smiling" and positive comments. I have often felt as miserable as shit but I've always smiling and it has paid off.

stovetopespresso · 02/09/2020 21:49

I like things to tick along so make sure I mix things up a bit, eg not resisting going back in to the office, shopping in charity shops, cooking new things, listening to music I enjoy, reading educative books and looking up the bits I don't knowGrin, really engaging and listening to friends and colleagues, even listinging to my kids!

Pikachubaby · 02/09/2020 21:50

Going for a walk with friends or family

Going to the pub with friends

Tapping into my support network and have a good old moan

Or playing tennis/swimming as it makes me physically tired and happy

mamangelo · 02/09/2020 21:54

Gratitude list each day of ten things I am grateful for always puts me in a positive frame of mind and quietens the negative self talk. Take half an hour each day to relax and just ‘be’ ensures a good day also for me

RuggerHug · 02/09/2020 21:54

Might seem odd but YouTube "biggest hits from...." and put in any year of your life from childhood to whenever you slowed down heading out and dancing with your mates(we all slow down at some point). I do it every now and then and the BUZZ from going "OMG I forgot this, I LOVE THIS TUNE!!!" and a bit of a dance around the house does wonders.

stovetopespresso · 02/09/2020 21:56

I got really miserable being at home and so I formed a book group, might not be your cup of tea but it felt good to identify a lack in my life (not paying enough attention to my brain cells and imagination) and do somethong about it. also got part-time job helping people

CorianderLord · 02/09/2020 22:18

Don't drink alcohol.

Start the day with a big glass of ice water.

Someone9 · 03/09/2020 00:01

A goal or a project. If I don't have something to work towards I get quite despondent with life and all "is this it?"

Can be as big or small as you like - do a masters part time/curate a new wardrobe/run a half marathon/write a book/lose a stone whatever gets you going and keeps you feeling optimistic and looking towards the future.

It's also important not to ONLY look to the future, grounding yourself in the present moment can bring a certain kind of comforting calm. Stopping and really taking in a nice view. Closing your eyes and listening to the sounds of DC playing outside. Taking your time over a nice cup of coffee and inhaling the smell deeply. Basically being grateful for the little things that make up the fabric of your life.

Lardlizard · 03/09/2020 07:27

Shower and make the effort apperence wise, a spits of perfume
Happy music
Walking a lot, having things to look forward to, talking to friends that get you, be careful how much news you expose yourself to

user1493413286 · 03/09/2020 07:31

Exercise - even just a walk really helps for me.

Swipe left for the next trending thread