16 Things To Do When You're Feeling Blue

16 Things To Do When You’re Feeling Blue

We all have our days. Feeling down and stressed.

Especially when you’re a busy mom with a mile-long to-do list.

There are plenty of things you can do if you’re feeling down.

You could pout and sulk.

Or you could find something to do that renews your appreciation of life.

There are lots of positive things that we tend to overlook when our moods turn sour.

16 Things To Do When You're Feeling Blue

Appreciate life and enhance your mood with these simple tips:

1. Go outside.

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Choose your favorite outdoor location: beach, mountains, park, or lake. It’s up to you. Just spend some time outdoors.

2. Call a friend.

You know the right friend to call. It’s the one with the upbeat attitude about life that always makes you smile. Call them up and see what’s been happening since you last chatted.

3. Lie outside in the sunshine.

Find a reclining chair or a nice patch of grass. Lie down and feel the sun on your face.

4. Make a list of goals.

If you’re feeling down, the future might seem bleak. Create an exciting vision for the future by setting some audacious goals. You’ll be inspired to make those goals a reality.

5. Exercise.

Go for a run, take a yoga class, or attempt to break your personal squats record. Exercise always makes you feel better.

6. Order takeout.

Call your favorite takeout place and order your favorite dish. Call a friend to join you if you like. Remember to include dessert!

7. Dance around your living room.

Put on your favorite songs and dance the evening away. Break out of your normal routine. And remember to dance like nobody’s watching. 😉

8. Plan a trip.

It can be a day trip, weekend getaway, or something more substantial. Let your imagination run wild.

9. Go out for an ice cream cone.

It doesn’t matter if you’re two or 92. Ice cream can still put a smile on your face. Try a new flavor and get an extra scoop. If ice cream isn’t your thing, go for a smoothie or a fancy cup of coffee.

10. Go for a long walk.

Take a bottle of water and plan on being gone for at least an hour. Explore someplace new. Enjoy your surroundings.

11. Get a harmonica and play it.

You won’t find a more portable instrument and it’s easier to learn than most. It’s not so loud that you’ll bother the neighbors.

12. Bake cookies.

And then eat them. Make them from scratch and enjoy the process. Take a few to a friend or neighbor.

13. Go see a movie in the middle of the day.

Take time off for work and spend the afternoon at the movie theater. Find the best seat and enjoy your popcorn without all the talking that usually goes on.

14. Take a nap.

There are times where nothing is better than a short nap. Curl up with a book and see how long you can stay awake.

15. Look at pictures from your childhood.

Pull out the photo albums and relive the past. You might spot someone in a photo that you want to reach out to. Track down your childhood friends and say hello.

16. Watch your favorite movie or TV show.

Pull up Netflix (or Amazon Video or Hulu or Cable) and just relax. Choose a movie or show that will lift your spirits (my go-to’s when feeling blue are Gilmore Girls, Supernatural, and Charmed). With so many choices available today on-demand, you’re bound to find something.

It’s bound to happen–we all have our good and bad days. But the key to bounce back quickly. You don’t want to waste precious time feeling down.

Make your own list of activities that you enjoy. Have an arsenal of things that you can count on to lift you up when you’re feeling down.

I want to hear from you!

What are some of your favorite ways to bring your mood up when you’re feeling down? Please join the discussion in the comments section below.

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12 Quick Ways for Busy Moms to De-Stress

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9 Calming Strategies That Help You Find Inner Peace

Comments 38

  1. I like to go to the fabric store, and look at and feel all the nice fabrics. All the bright colors, and trims and pretty things cheers me up.

  2. I do have my days when I am down and I do not like it. I find if I get outside and walk it helps alot. These are some great tips. Thank you so much for sharing

  3. when I’m feeling blue, all I have to do is take a look at you, then I’m not so blue…
    but really, these are great tips…
    thank you for sharing…

    1. Post
      Author
  4. I really like these ideas! So simple but they make so much sense, and I can attest to how well they work. Thanks for the reminder.

  5. Thank you for the great tips! It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut & not do something to brighten life up. I’m going to print these off & stick them on the fridge where I can see them every day.

  6. These are great tips and I have tried some of them already, One of my favourite ways to do when I am feeling blue is to go to the local community center and take a cooking class or crafting class or go to coffee club and just chat and laugh with my friends

  7. These are great tips! I definitely try not to do anything that will make me feel worse when I am down. Thank you so much for sharing this. 🙂

  8. These are great tips!!! I love going for nice long walks with my pup and 100% of the time she does something funny that brings a smile to my face!

  9. I think these tips are amazing and because my daughter is going through a a sadness right now I will take her shopping to get out and play lots of cheerful music at home.Thanks for this!

  10. Yeah, bake cookies is good, until you eat the whole batch 😉 Sunshine for me is key. my dad says I am “solar powered” and he is right. If it is cloudy I am in a funk all day.

  11. These are great ideas for de-stressing, too. Sometimes during the colder months I experience seasonal anxiety, this helpful hints are great. Thanks!

  12. A great list of ideas and during this time of year, a very useful one. I may just try a few suggestions when I am feeling the stress of the season.

  13. I totally agree with each and every point that you have here! If I may add, travel can also help with feelings of being blue. Travel has been my own therapy and it works all the time!

  14. Taking my dogs outside (sunshine and exercise!), taking myself for a coffee break at a local shop or napping are pretty much my go to options. And they have yet to let me down! Living room dance parties usually work for me too 🙂

  15. I dislike the outside. I dislike any physical exertion. Or so I thought. Recently discovered that a walk helps me with my mood and alleviates stress. I have to thank my hubby for that one because he pested me until I went on one with him.

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