How do you inject JOY into your day?

[eatprayloveorjusteateateat]

I wake up everyday and feel 'bleurgh!'... just bleurgh!

Is there any way that you cheer yourself up/ inject some joy into your morning/day?

Is it getting up an hour before everyone else and having a good cup of luxury coffee?
Do you watch something to shake off your crappy mood?
listen to something?
do something unusual?
eat something?
put something on?

i don't know about you but i don't wake up feeling naturally happy so i really need to do something to put a smile on my face.

Any ideas?

One of my daughters friends explained to me how to dive off the side of the pool. I tried and it was brilliant, a moment of pure joy.

I have a cup of tea.
A hot shower.
Then I stand outside the back door for minute or two - fresh air wakes me up and seeing the world gets me enthusiastic about being out in it rather than staying in bed all day.

Exercise. Either I go for a bike ride some days or I walk Dd and push Ds to DDs school.

mmm.... the cinnamon bagel is delicious

What a great thread!

If I'm really down writing in my journal about what made me confused or upset and all my feelings about it helps me figure things out.

Getting really good exercise to music really helps.

And doing things - anything - like cleaning the house, having a hot bath and baking something nice (if feeling indoorsy) or going shopping - even for a newspaper and a loaf of bread (if feeling outdoorsy), in that order.

This is the barmbrack DH tracked down for me: www.waitrose.com/shop/ProductView-10317-10001-19183-Rankin+Selection+Irish+barmbrack

It reminds me of my childhood. Actually he generally buys various Irish bread products if finds them :-D

What a brilliant thread! The perfect thing to read in the morning. I'm going to make a list of my favourites (making lists makes me happy!).

Taking time for a hot drink and reading a book or MN.
Dancing with my 3yo DS.
Stretching. Doesn't have to be yoga style, just a good thorough stretch makes feel better!

I heard a qute once on One Tree Hill that has really stayed with me. I think of it when I feel a bit miserable.

Happiness is a mood. Not a destination.

When I stopped thinking things like "When we move out of the IL's, then I'll be happy." Or "When we're not so poor, I'll be happy." It made a massive difference. I was happy living at IL's and I felt lucky for the money we did have. Maybe not all day every day but I was in a happy mood lots of the time.
I stoppe putting conditions on my happiness and now I never think "When I lose weight I'll be happy."

Now I'm off for a bagel and cup of tea!

here here KoalaFace! I have decided one day more obsessing over my weight is another day f*cking wasted.

UPDATE on Snoggate!

So I saw my partner off to work at the door and gave him a snog.

His response?

"Are you leaving me?"
"Are you Dying?"
"Am I dying?"

Brilliant.

Haha, loving the Snoggate

Might try it myself this morning.....

Ooo this is in classics! Lovely, now I can refer to it all the time.

OP, I'm glad the 'lifting your face up' thing worked for you! It's a strange thing to describe - when I said it to my friend she did this face at me... but it does help me feel happier!

Flouncy.. made me feel like i was in an epic film - Gone with the wind or something. All I needed was the heavens to open up and it to start violently raining - then I could have been in a Richard Curtis movie.

Wouldn't it be funny if it said on the News at 10 - inexplicably cinnamon bagel and expensive coffee sales have soared overnight so much there is a nationwide panic buying crisis going on. The good butter has gone too!

Ooo I really really fancy a cinnamon bagel now!! With lots of butter. I will be stopping at the supermarket later to buy some, that's cheered my day up already!

OP do you watch The Big C by any chance??

I bought the last packet of cinnamon bagels in my local Tesco last night :),
Hadn't bought bagels for years, was very nice. Yesterday, I went for a long walk around the countryside with a friend, and today joining some friends for a walk to a village coffee shop we have recently discovered, which has lovely homemade cakes. :)

we are about to watch "Father of the Bride" - one of my "go to" happy movies.
then for good measure we'll watch "Cheaper by the dozen" - it always cheers me up as I realise I only have half a dozen so my life is way too easy!

(we are all ill - only DS3 & DS4 are at school)

and I'll make chicken soup later - it is like a hug in a bowl.

wallace no i have never watched it - it is recorded on my shows as someone recommended i watch it as idris elba is in it - ding dong. but havent got round to watching it - why?

Nespresso and Mumsnet.

This morning I bounced on the bed with my toddler to "I don't care, I love it". Helped me smile before a long day at work

OP, there's a character in it who does inspirational talks about people finding their "Joy". So I presumed that's where you'd got the idea from

can I also add my happiness group- inspired by a book (the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin). We meet fortnightly and drink great coffee and eat delicious things.

We take turns to ask a question, and then answer it- one question a week. We've had wonderful questions, from 'what is your favourite painting?' through to 'who made the most positive impact on your life?' The point is to have conversations that we wouldn't have normally. The group is something I look forward to, and we have each learned a lot as a result.

And eating breakfast (eggs and great coffee) in the sun.

Ooh, I thought of something
Just caught the smell of the flowers in my hanging basket this morning, so the smell of fresh flowers, especially ones I have grown
Also I can see 2 ripe tomatoes, grown from seed, and 2 sunflowers coming through, also from seed
And lots of little strawberries

oh no haven't watched it... but may do at some point. Just for Idris.

I like to 'achieve' something every day. It can be something as simple as cleaning out a cupboard or doing some gardening. I know that sounds silly but I love the satisfaction of doing something even if its of little importance.

The other thing I do nearly every day is some sort of sport or exercise. I love racket sports and play tennis or badminton three, four or more times a week. It's social and great fun. It really makes me happy.
A walk through the countryside with friends is also something that brings me 'joy'. It is relaxing and enjoyable.

I also love music - I couldn't imagine my life without it. Certain songs are so powerful and enjoyable.

My family are probably what makes me the happiest though. (...yes, they can be irritating too )

I agree that happiness is often a state of mind although some people do have a lot more obstacles in their way. Some people seem very moany even when they seem to have enchanted lives while others with very challenging lives can seem more content. It's interesting.

I came across a good mantra somewhere recently: 'Bad day: Good life'. Helps get things in perspective.