We know that sometimes it can be difficult to pick yourself up when you’re feeling blue. It’s important to remember that everybody feels this way sometimes but there are things you can do to turn things around. So, make sure to carry on reading to discover just how to feel better on those down days! And if you’re in need of even more inspiration for things to be happy about then check out our article on 39 small joys in life to be grateful for.
Things to do to make you happy
Whilst it may not feel like it, there are little things you can do to make yourself happy and boost your mood. Here are some of our favourite ways to feel better on bad days:
Do some exercise
When having a bad day, the last thing anyone wants to do is force themselves to do some sort of a workout. However, doing exercise releases all the happy chemicals including endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. This means that after working out you’re going to feel great even if you were reluctant to start.
Get out and about
While you might want to just curl up in bed and do nothing until tomorrow, one of the best things you can do is to get out and about. Whether it be meeting up with some friends, taking the dog for a walk, or even doing some cleaning. Any activity that can take your mind off what else is going on will help. Plus, this will avoid you feeling as though you’ve done nothing with your day.
Have a cup of tea
If there’s anything we Brits know, it’s that a good ol’ cup of tea can fix pretty much anything. Next time you’re feeling a bit meh, try putting the kettle on and enjoying a lovely brew.
Stay hydrated
It may sound obvious, but when we’re not feeling great it’s easy to forget the simple ways that we can take care of ourselves and our wellbeing. Staying hydrated by making sure to drink water (or whatever other beverage you prefer) can quickly perk you up and alter your mood for the better.
Listen to music
Did you know that music has been found to have a positive effect on our health? Well, according to research from the British Academy of Sound Therapy (BAST) it takes only 9 minutes of listening for people to become happier. Not only that, but the study also discovered that over 80% of participants purposefully use music to make them feel happy.
So, get blasting those tunes! And if you don’t already have your favourite songs at the ready then we have our own positive playlist that you should definitely check out.
How to cheer up a friend
Of course, it’s not all about us and if you notice that a friend might be feeling a little down in the dumps then we have some ideas for how you can brighten their day!
Give them a handwritten note or card
A little gesture can go a long way and one way to do this is by sending a friend a lovely card to remind them just how great they are. In fact, at thortful, we do have a range of ‘Send a Smile’ cards that would be perfect for this. And you can add your own personal touch inside with a handwritten note to cheer them up.
Be there for them
Sometimes people don’t want to go into why they’re feeling a certain way and the best you can do is just to be there for them. Feel free to ask them if they want help with anything but otherwise, they will appreciate just knowing they have someone around who cares.
Have a karaoke party
What better way to liven the mood than with a karaoke party? Blast your favourite songs at full volume, scream the lyrics, and let go of all the negative vibes. Singing and dancing together like idiots is bound to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Enjoy some ice cream together
Comfort food is a bad day necessity! So, grab a few bowls and take some giant scoops of your favourite ice cream flavour whether that be classic vanilla, indulgent cookie dough or even a fancy pistachio gelato. Perhaps you could even get extra fancy and make ice cream sundaes?
Try something new
Whether you try out a new recipe, visit an escape room or even indoor skydiving, doing something that you’ve always talked about but never done is an amazing way to perk up someone’s day. Bonus point if you can do a digital detox and avoid checking your phones as this will help you focus on being present in the moment and enjoy each other’s company.
Bad day quotes that are funny
It’s important to put things into perspective when having a bad day and quotes can be a great way to do this. Whatever your sense of humour, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite funny bad day quotes to cheer you up and put a smile on your face:
- “Honestly, shopping beats therapy, anytime. It costs the same and you get a dress out of it.” – Sophie Kinsella
- “Woke up today. It was terrible.” – Grumpy Cat
- “I’m sick of following my dreams, man. I’m just going to ask where they’re going and hook up with ‘em later.” – Mitch Hedberg
- “I’m not good at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?” – Chandler (Matthew Perry), Friends
- “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow just as well.” – Mark Twain
- “Trying is the first step toward failure.” – Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
- “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” – Steve Martin
- “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far, I’ve finished two bags of M&Ms and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” – Dave Barry
We hope our tips are useful and can help bring some joy to you, or someone you know, who is just having a nightmare of a day. And if you’re looking for similar content then can find loads more positive inspiration and lifestyle articles over on the thortful blog.
