Keeping your head above water has become increasingly difficult during these tumultuous times. With everything that’s been going on, it’s terrifyingly easy to get sucked into the void of hopelessness and negativity. Despite this, it’s still of utmost importance to help yourself get through each day. If you really want to feel better, you should take specific actions that make you happy to keep your mental well-being in check.
To help you out, we’ve gathered 10 simple things you can do to instantly make yourself feel better.
1. Smile more
Smiling while you’re feeling dejected may sound a tad counterintuitive but it actually helps improve your overall mood. The physical act of smiling tricks your brain into thinking that humor is being experienced at the moment. When these mood-boosting neurotransmitters are triggered, your stress levels will significantly decrease and you’ll instantly feel better.
2. Cut or color your hair
If you’re too shy to sport that hairstyle you’ve always wanted, now’s the best time to do it. You don’t have to worry about people seeing you because you’ll be in the comfort of your own home for months to come.
Truthfully, it doesn’t really matter how extreme your hairstyle gets. By the time you do get out in public after the pandemic, your hair would’ve probably grown back to its original form.
3. Flip through your photo albums
Let photographs of the past remind you that you’re just having a bad day and not a bad life. You’ve been through so much and these pictures should remind you of how strong you’ve been. Once you get a grip on all the hard times you’ve survived, there’s no doubt that you’ll feel better right away.
4. Dance out to an upbeat playlist
Nothing beats dancing out to a feel-good playlist when you’re sad. If you’re not really much of a dancer, you can just sing along! Either way, you’ll feel better because you’ll have your adrenaline pumping.
5. Read letters from your friends or family
Reading kind words from the people who love you the most is an effective pick-me-up if you’ve been feeling down lately. If you can’t find it in you to see your worth right now, let other people remind you just how much you’ve impacted their lives.
RELATED: 20 Heartwarming Affirmations You NEED to Hear Today
6. Write encouraging words for yourself
If you’ve been looking for a sign to finally start a journal, then this is it. Keeping a notebook that’s filled with positivity is essential in having good mental health. You can write about your good experiences, or maybe even just some positive song lyrics. As long as it can help you feel more optimistic while writing it, that should be enough.
RELATED: 30 Self-Care Journal Prompts to Boost Your Confidence
7. Watch an episode from your favorite sitcom
Whenever I’m feeling down, I always see myself hitting play on any of my favorite shows. I do it so often that it’s practically a reflex action already. If this works for me then this can work for you too.
Watching a hilarious sitcom can effectively bring you back from the depths of your self-deprecating thoughts. From their cold opens to their arresting quips, they’ll surely have something that can instantly put you in a good mood.
RELATED: 5 Hilarious TV Shows if You Need a Good Laugh
8. Tidy your desk or wardrobe
Cleaning doesn’t just keep your space tidy but it also serves as a distraction from what’s really bothering you. It can help you cool down and keep you from doing any rash decisions when you’re at the height of your emotions. When you’re done with this activity, you’ll feel better because you’ve finally managed to calm down while cleaning your place in the process.
9. Strike up a conversation with a close friend or family member
Socializing with other people has been scientifically proven to boost a person’s mood. Even though most people crave for solitude whenever they’re unhappy, interacting with people can actually help them feel better. Given this, talking with your loved ones can easily reel you out of the slump that you’re currently experiencing.
10. Treat yourself with food that you like
If you want to feel better this instant, one of the easiest ways to do it is to eat your favorite food. Whether it’s a cone of ice cream or a plate of steak, let yourself indulge in the food that you love. When you taste that specific flavor you’re always craving for, all your worries instantly melt away even if it’s for just a few minutes.
What activity makes you feel better instantly?
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With everything that is going on at the moment, this is a wonderful and timely post. Thanks Cristina. Have pinned.
I love this entire list, especially 2 and 3. It’s such an amazing feeling to get your hair done and it can make you feel like a totally new person! I also love going through old photos. This is an awesome post
Treating myself to a chocolatey dessert makes me the happiest. I badly need a haircut too. These are some wonderful activities to feel better. Thanks for sharing!
interesting facts and some of this im already doing.
I luv your article!
Come to think, I need not travel far or splurge on my shopping list to be happy! 
Yes you are right, I remember the happiness I felt when I went through my photo albums taken 30 years ago.
Thank you for your brilliant suggestions.
I will make sure to do them all
Thank you for creating this post. Because of the pandemic, I can’t meet my long distance fiancé for 7 months and counting; I’d need to try these activities. By the way, I hope you don’t mind me leaving one of my post’s link here because we need the support. It’s a movement I am supporting; hopefully with this international couples and families can reunite: https://frommeltoyou.com/2020/09/04/psa-take-action-with-loveisnottourism/
I love doing any of the things on this list when I’m down. Just reading the things you talk about and connecting them to my memories helped relax me a bit!
Loved your article and I needed a boost this morning so it truly helped.
I always try to look in the mirror and smile back at myself when I’m feeling down, it definitely helps. Also, I agree with flipping through old photos, love looking back at memories. Thanks for sharing this!
The Blogging Zoomer
Great post! Really simple ideas anyone can do but don’t always think of. I always get overwhelmed when I need to feel better so hopefully will try some of these in the future.
You forgot the power of getting outside for fresh air, it does wonders too!
I do love a good rewatch of Friends to cheer me up though, good shout!
Love these all incredible suggestions. So true!
I find that dancing (like no one else is watching) always works!
curatingstories.com
Great post with some wonderful points! I enjoyed number seven about the watching a funny TV show. I love watching Friends or Monk – Monk is my absolute favorite when I need a laugh!
I always put on New Girl when I’m feeling down! Nothing like a good laugh to boost your mood. Great tips!
Love these tips, they are so helpful and thoughtful! One of my favorite uplifting activities is cooking! There is no better way to perk up a day than to cook a nourishing meal to slowly enjoy.
I have tried several of these and they work wonders. Writing in a journal and making sure to end with an encouraging word has become my go to. But as I read this, I realize that I haven’t danced to my favorite music in a while. I’ll have to go to that right now.
Thank you for the reminder to go do something for myself!
Love this post! It’s amazing how simply smiling more can uplift your mood.
This are all excellent stress boosters. If I could add just one more that has always helped boost my mood, that would be chocolate.
This was a great post. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a huge difference.
I love positive posts like this, flipping through photo albums can resurface some amazing memories! Hello from a fellow wellness blogger x
Great tips! I always forget that things like decluttering my desk make me feel better
I need to get into that habit!
I love EVERY SINGLE ONE of these suggestions! This is my type of post for sure.
These are great tips! Going for a little walk always makes me feel better!
This is a wonderful list!! I’ve saved it for when I need a reminder!! Thanks for sharing!
Love love these! Music has always brought me solace!
Music really does work wonders, I love to put on beats from my youth and jam out.
These are great ideas thank you!
Great ways to feel better. We all need these reminders at one time or the other. One of my favorites is connecting to family/friends
These are some awesome activities! Dance out to an upbeat playlist and singing like nobody is listening definitely do the trick for me !
Thanks for the tips! We definitely need activities we can do to help us stay happy and sane in these times. I love treating myself to food I don’t eat often and also love styling my hair and talking with my best friend and mom.
I liked all these facts. Out of these, I also follow some of the things.Thanks for this post.
This really helped me a lot! Thanks
I love this post so much – so many great things to do on this list! I always feel good after dying my hair (only done that twice tho ahah). Also, watching a sitcom is the ultimate feel-good thing to do. B99, Modern Family, Friends etc. Great post
xx