Simple but effective ways to lift your mood and make you smile.
Hello, everyone. It’s day 2398 of quarantine and it’s starting to get to me. I’ve been feeling unsettled for the past month and my mood has been low, to say the least. I knew this situation was going to last a while but I didn’t know how I was going to react.
I’ve seen so many people saying this is the best time to work on something, get stuff done, work out and all this other stuff. To be honest, I’m so unmotivated and think that’s such a weird thing to say during a time like this. We are all experiencing an uncertain and scary situation right now so being unmotivated is totally normal!
I’ve been trying to do some of my favorite things to keep me calm and it’s actually helping a bit. Here are the ten things I’ve been doing that have lifted and improved my mood during this unsettling time.
1. Listen to Music
Music can change my whole mood instantly. In the morning play your favorite songs to get ready to, I promise it will lift your mood. I made a playlist including all the songs that make me happy! Maybe try setting your alarm to your favorite song to start your day off right.
2. Go Outside / Go for a Walk
It’s so important that we still go outside and get some vitamin D! On your (mandatory) break, try going for a walk around your block. Play with your pet outside. You can even scroll on Instagram in your backyard if you want! I’m trying to get out more because being inside 24/7 is driving me crazy!
3. Try Something New
I decided I wanted to finish a puzzle and boy did I enjoy it! I honestly love it so much it’s almost embarrassing. It’s so relaxing and takes my mind off of things. It’s also a nice hobby that doesn’t involve using my phone or laptop. So, try something new like puzzles, baking, writing a story, or an instrument you bought and haven’t used lol.
4. Talk to A Loved One / Group chat on Zoom
Talking to my boyfriend about my anxious thoughts has helped me sooo much! Talking to someone you trust about stress or worries is very therapeutic. Call or FaceTime your parents, significant other, or friends and just talk for a while. I promise it will lift your mood. You can even use Zoom to group chat with multiple friends. Have a virtual party or happy hour!
5. Read an Inspirational Book
When your feeling anxious or stressed try picking up an inspirational book. My favorites are Becoming by Michelle Obama and The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick. Reading something positive is the only thing keeping me calm right now. I’m looking for new books to read so please tell me in the comments!
6. Exercise or Yoga
This is probably obvious but yoga and exercise lift your mood. It releases a chemical in the brain called endorphins. “Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands”. LOL. That’s a quote from Legally Blonde but it’s true! Exercise makes you happy and who regrets a workout? If you want to do something more chill, I love yoga. It focuses on your breathing, strength and balance. It’s amazing for stress.
7. Listen to Podcasts
I love listening to my favorite podcasters for some daily inspiration. They are all so hardworking and passionate about their work that it motivates me to get up and do something for myself. I’ve been in such a weird mood that it’s affecting my work but I can’t just stop working. My lack of motivation has definitely affected how much I’ve been working but listening to others talk about their success keeps me going. Read about my favorite podcasts by successful women here.
8. Pamper Yourself
I know everyone is missing their nail technician, hairstylist, and eyebrow professional but we got to do everything ourselves for now ladies! Paint your nails, put on a face mask, take a bubble bath, light a lavender-scented candle, and enjoy a self-care night. I always feel better after a bubble bath and face mask!
9. Make Your Favorite Meal
Cooking in itself is already good therapy, but I really love cooking my favorite meals. Tacos, enchiladas, anything Mexican food is my favorite! I honestly can never be mad eating my favorite meals. My second favorite thing is breakfast! Oatmeal, strawberries, almonds, and coffee is so good! Learn how to make these chocolate-dipped heart-shaped strawberries here, they will definitely lift your mood.
10. Watch Your Favorite Childhood Movie
Instead of just watching something random on Netflix, rewatch your favorite childhood movie. It’ll bring back feelings of nostalgia, happiness and all the good vibes. A lot of my childhood movies were actually Disney movies so I’m happy I have Disney+! I love The Little Mermaid, The Aristocats, and Winnie the Pooh. Anything to make me smile for a while is what I need right now.
I hope one of these will your lift mood or make you smile. Stay safe and well, everyone!
Until next time,
FTC: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links at no extra cost to you.
Some good, easy to do tips. Will definitely be using some of these to get through this lockdown, thank you!
Yay! Stay safe and well!
-erika
These ideas are adorable! I have already been implementing some like listening to music and exercising, but I will try some of the others now, too. Well done.
I love listening to music while working out! Stay safe and well (:
-erika
Some great ways to beat the quarantine blues.. Music has been my lifesaver !!!
It is important we keep a good mental health by any means! Thank you for sharing these tips! As soon as I saw your playlist I started playing some music 🙂
You and I are basically the same person when it comes to this list. I have been doing exactly these things! We make sure to go for walks everyday, eat our favorite foods, I’ve decided to learn how to paint, and I’ve been trying to paint my nails, fix my hair, etc every few days. The only thing I haven’t done is watch my favorite childhood movie. Might have to do that!
Great ways to stay calm. I love my morning walk with my dog. I get some fresh air and it seems to give me a lift to start the day. Stay well.
Walking has been my go-to for the past few weeks! Grateful for nice weather right now – makes getting out and about so much better. Great post!
Some of these things have been very helpful for me, I am on week 4 (I think, what is time?) of “stay at home”, with no end in sight. I think watching a childhood movie and trying something new will be helpful to me in lifting my mood for sure. And for book recommendations, I have lots! But to prevent this from taking up the whole page, I recommend “The confidence code” and The Red Queen Series.
take your time. I am very happy about this lockdown because I was feeling miserable at work. So now I am slowly starting to see a different perspective plus nature thanks us.
Cate ☾ 35mm in Style | Photography + Blogging
Great ideas! This inspired me to watch a feel-good movie today for a break from all of the dramas I’ve been watching lately!
bossbabechroniclesblog.com
Love it!
What a nice list. I am starting to feel very discombobulated and this list is a great help. Stay safe! 🙂
The tips you mentioned in your blog post is the need of the time. BTW, I really like your playlist and I’m copying it right now
Great ideas! I personally need to turn off the News and stop listening to all the doom and gloom!
These tips are amazing when you feel down. I will definitely incorporate some of these in my lifestyle when I am feeling down. Thanks for sharing.
This is a great list of suggestions! I’ve been adding yoga to my regular routine.
These are all really great tips! Music can be so uplifting 🙂
Thank you for posting! I’m always looking for ways to keep positive, especially in recent works.
Great post. Love the ideas. I am napping, reading, stretching and sometimes keeping on the blogging work. Stay safe.
Books, movies and music are indeed wonderful mood-boosters. Thanks for sharing these amazing tips. Loved this.
Going for a walk in the sun always helps me! So nice and relaxing!!!
All very good suggestions!
Reading a book and going outside are my favorite❤️ they actually help a lot in lifting my mood.
Love these tips! I wish I could go for a walk but, the lockdown rules in Madrid are strict?
These are awesome tips! My favorites are going for a walk and exercising, but of course you need to have the energy and motivation for those. Pampering myself is also great.
Great post! I literally can’t function in quarantine without taking a walk with my music 🙂
This was so uplifting!!! Loved it thanks for this!! Made me happier!!
These are all so cute and wow! The choco heart strawberries are adorable xx
Love this! A clearly put and well organized!
It’s definitely an anxious time. I hope you feel better soon. I loved all these tips. Music is always my go to.
These are really great ideas.
These are really interesting ideas. I like to listen music.
Love these! A positive mood is so important right now.
Good ideas.
Yay on the podcasts – one of my favourite things about the internet, especially at this time.
This is great. We could all use some ways to boost our moods lately. Thanks for sharing- Danielle
This is such a great list! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Great list! I usually listen to podcasts to feel happy and motivated.
This is a great list! It’s right in line with most of the things I try to do when I’m having an off day. I love the idea of watching a favorite movie from childhood, though. Need to remember that next time! x
Love the list! Going outside and getting fresh air always helps, as does exercise. Helps get the blood flowing and start the positive mood. I also find making a list just to help compose myself also helps. Thanks for sharing