From time to time we all get in a funk. For some of us this happens more often than we care to admit.
Over the years I’ve tried lots of methods for improving my mood when I’m not feeling great. They don’t all work every time, but one of them is bound to work when you need it. That’s why I keep a list.
Here’s my list of things to do to improve my mood:
- Go for a walk or a bike ride. Going outside is my go-to method and it works more reliably than anything else I do to improve my mood.
- Write it down. Sometimes writing down what’s bugging me helps me identify the problem. Once identified, then I can go about dealing with the problem.
- Drink a coffee or eat an apple. Maybe the problem is as simple as being under-caffeinated or having low blood sugar. (Side note, coffee and apples are better for stress-snacking than chips, pretzels, or alcohol).
- Look at one picture. I have a bunch of pictures in my office. Looking at one and thinking about the good times associated often provides a little pick-me-up.
- Try a Focusable breathing activity. Focusable is a free tool that I started using last year to help me focus and re-focus when I get off task or am procrastinating when I shouldn’t be. Learn more about it here.
- Turn off the screens. Scrolling through social media rarely helps anything. And when I’m in a funk ti just perpetuates my poor mood.
- Read an interesting book. Fifteen minutes of reading a good, interesting book is often all it takes to get some new ideas that start me on my way to better mood and more productivity. I’m currently reading John Gierach’s latest book, All the Time in the World.
- Make a list of the good things in life. Writing down a list of the things that are good in life and the things that make me happy can improve my mood.
- Work on a hobby project. For the last three months I’ve been picking away at building a fly rod. It’s a little project that I can work on for five to ten minutes a day and see a little bit of progress. The best part is that I can’t do it while looking at a screen.
- Pet a pet. Whether an old dog, a puppy, a cat, or a kitten I love to pet pets. It’s soothing. And dogs, especially old, faithful dogs just have a way of making things feel better.
What do you do to improve your mood? Leave a comment and let me know.