Everyone has those days, right? Days when you just need to chill out, breathe, hit the reset button, and get back to your normal generally happy self. Here are a few things that help me get out of the occasional funk.

1.  PLAY SOME FEEL-GOOD MUSIC

• What’s your favorite group? Play that. My favorites are Simon & Garfunkel, Beatles, and others from the ’50s and ’60s. They’re usually upbeat and have fun, happy lyrics.
• The soundtrack from a favorite movie can be a great mood-lifter. Try the soundtrack to Romeo + Juliet (the one with Leo DiCaprio) or Mary Poppins (Disney magic)!
• Enya is so calming and peaceful. It seems like the perfect music for yoga… Not that I would know, since I don’t do the yoga, because my joints don’t flex really at all. I used to be super flexible… And then I turned 14.
• “Feel-good” is so subjective – just define it for yourself. Shouldn’t be too hard to know what makes YOU feel good-looking conjures good memories, and makes you think happy thoughts.

2.  TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING YUMMY

• Bake something you love… If you like baking. Buy something you love. Eat it. Repeat as desired.
• Buy a brownie and/or a chai latte from your local bakery. Eat and drink them there or on the grass at a nearby park. Bonus: fresh air! Always a good thing. Double bonus: supporting local businesses. Ding!

3.  VISIT A FRIEND

For many people, this can be so much fun – if your friend says she can’t have anyone over because the house is so messy, insist that you’re available to help. What are friends for, anyway? 

Or maybe you’re the socially anxious type that feels trapped when talking to just one person. Maybe meet at a watering hole for coffee, drinks, or tea and cake. Or biscuits! Whatever your pleasure, make it a fun, relaxing time where you can catch up with your friend.

4.  WRITE A NOTE TO A FRIEND

Personally, this is my favorite thing to do to make myself feel better: writing. And writing for a purpose – one that’ll help not just you, but also your friend feel loved – is supremely satisfying.

5.  WATCH ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES

Add popcorn, candy, adult beverages, recliner, turn off the lights, and open the window so you can feel the breeze, maybe a candle… Make your atmosphere comfortable for you.

6.  WATCH A FEEL-GOOD MOVIE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN YET

Suggestions:

• Love Actually
• One Fine Day
• Die Hard (maybe I’m alone on this one, but my husband agrees, sooo…)
• You’ve Got Mail
• While You Were Sleeping
• The Blind Side
• Rudy
• Anne of Green Gables
• Nightmare Before Christmas

7. TALK TO A FRIEND

However you do it – in person, on the phone, via text or email, FaceTime, or some other way, do yourself the favor and be honest about how you feel. If you feel great and just wanted to spread the love, say that – your friend will likely appreciate the thought and the time. If you feel depressed, a real friend will want to help and likely will know how to get you closer to your real, usual self.

8.  GO SOMEWHERE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN; TRY SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER TRIED

Go to a that restaurant in town where you’ve always meant to go but never had a chance. Order something you’ve never had. It might be gross, or it could be your new favorite dish. Take the leap. Try it.

9.  DO SOMETHING ACTIVE

• Go for a run! You choose the distance, speed, etc. Cleansing via sweat feels so good.
• Yoga! I’ve heard. I need to try this.
• Get together with friends to play frolf (frisbee golf – although I’ve never played myself because I’m not into team sports or frisbee), football, basketball, volleyball, base/softball, or even just catch… Or kick ball… Or dodge ball…
• Go for a walk- alone or with a friend. Exercise and socialization? #winning

10.  GO FOR A LONG DRIVE 

Peace, freedom, an open road… Discover new places, places you’re forgotten about, or you might have a chance to call AAA to help someone  who’s broken down on the side of the road, and you’ll make a new friend… Or just make someone’s day. A long drive (like a long run) can help clear your head of all the everyday, mundane junk that accumulates there.

11.  COLOR 

Adult coloring books are popular for a reason. Color a page and achieve focus. Color another and discover a solution to that problem you’ve been trying to work out. Color another and get a brilliant idea. Color another and achieve nirvana.

12.  READ

Whatever you choose to read, from biographies and memoirs to comedy to romance, you get to escape your own immediate worries for a bit and use your imagination (and by extension develop your creativity). Even magazines can help make you happier and more at ease with yourself and the world around you.

13. DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE

Bake cookies, put them on a plate, drop them off at someone’s doorstep. It can be someone you do or don’t know, but it’ll undoubtedly make their day. Unless they’re a stick in the mud, grumpy old bugger who might think the world’s out to get him. 

Help an old woman cross the street. There’s no law that says you have to fit into your old Boy Scout uniform… Or even be a former Boy Scout.

14.  SLEEP

Seriously, naps are amazing. Getting more sleep at night can do wonders for your physical and mental health.

I hope these ideas help you get out of that funk, and remember that everyone goes through times like that. Let me know what else works for you.