Faking happiness often makes us feel worse, but there are loads of ways to feel better after we feel bad. (Before you try this, though, please read last week’s post about how to accept and deal with the negative feelings that you ultimately want to move past. Skip part one at your own peril.)
Here are some of my favorite ways:
- Have a DANCE party.
- LAUGH — I have a special episode of Modern Family that reliably makes me guffaw.
- SLEEP negative feelings off.
- Take a WALK.
- PLAY with some FRIENDS.
- Practice GRATITUDE.
- Give out some HUGS.
- Find some INSPIRATION in a favorite poem, vista, text, etc.
I expand on all of these ideas in this post.
Join the Discussion: What’s your favorite way to shake off a bad day, event, or mood? Share in the comments.
Nothing cheers me up like spending time with my dogs — taking them for a walk, working on their training, playing with them, grooming them, etc. They have a soothing affect on me and it always makes me feel good.
Yes, and lots of good research to indicate that would work for other people, too! I’ll have to add that to my list.
I’ve found jumping on the children’s trampoline for ten minutes makes me feel better – the freedom of flying through the air, the unlikely spectacle that I make for my neighbours – it all makes me laugh and lighten up.
Art helps me and listening to my favorite music!
going for a run – it’s like your walk advice, only faster 🙂
I’m curious which modern family episode it is?
Read a frivolous novel (or reread Jane Austen) is one of my faves.
(PS I couldn’t get your subscribe pop-up box to click away – not sure if it’s my browser or a plug-in issue but thought I’d mention it!)
Thanks for letting us know about the pop-up box — that’s annoying. Sorry! We’ll look into it. It’s the Modern Family episode (Season 2 finale, I think) where Cam slips in the baby pool in the opening scene. I chuckle to myself right now just thinking about it.