21 ways to Feel Better when sad

We all have our down days and mental health is as important as physical health. Individuals have now started focusing on their mental health to feel better. It’s okay to accept the fact that you are having a bad day and it’s okay to not do anything on that bad day. But there are a lot of things one can do to make themselves feel better on a gloomy sad day. Want to know some ways to make your day better?

Here are 21 things to do.

Listen Music to feel better

Music transcends all barriers and listening to music is a therapy that is unparalleled. The epitome of happiness can be achieved by a true music lover. Music to ears is an idiom with profound impact, Music has the power to get tears from a stone. All these idioms rightly describe how listening to music can trigger happiness content and satisfaction. In today’s world at our fingertips syndrome one is able to access any and any kind of music which can stir you soulfully and make you feel better. How music can connect your innermost instincts and feelings are only best felt by oneself. It’s apt to say that listening to music for instant happiness is an understatement, one can attain nirvana listening to music.

Yoga to feel better

Yoga isn’t just about the body, it’s not just some stretching and twisting. This form of exercise literally means union, union with the ultimate. Firstly, by working at the physical and psychological levels concurrently, yoga reduces stress, and this reduction in stress and anxiety results in the feeling of happiness. Secondly, practising yoga and Pranayam (breathing exercises) make you aware of your body and its needs. That leads to one’s happiness. A healthy mind and body lead to a happy soul. Thirdly, practising yoga reduces your blood pressure and cortisol, the stress hormone. yoga and meditation are natural ways to happiness and instantly makes you feel better. So unplug and practise yoga regularly to be healthy and happy.

Meet with friends to feel better

This can be considered as the number one therapy for bringing in happiness with leaps and bounds. One gets instantly elated to the status of moksha and on the seventh heaven after you have met your true friends and it definitely makes you feel better. You instantly are transported to the realm of nostalgia and old times spent with friends and happiness has to follow. Therefore, when one offloads all your stress and problems to our friends, not only do we have a feeling of relief but we are assured that all our problems will now be sorted out and sheer happiness is the only result.

Cycling to feel better

When one Cycles continuously over a while say even 30 minutes, Dedicatedly pedalling one after another creates a repetitive action that sends you in a trance which also makes you feel better. You forget everything in the past and are in the present, totally unaware of the future too.

Scientific Reasoning- Plus the cool air blowing in your face plus the rush of adrenaline secretes the happiness hormone dopamine and you instantly feel better and happy. Due to this, your stress level goes down. Cycling has thus become a very popular sport for people of all ages as it generates tremendous amounts of energy and happiness.

Read a novel to feel better

Reading newspapers or on social media is definitely different and can cause stress and anxiety in the current scenario of things and how the narratives have changed and how ulterior motives of the publisher have changed the game. But reading a book, novel or literature is a totally amazing experience and doesn’t only make us feel better but also nurtures our hormones of happiness and contentment.

The author transcends the reader into different realms of reality. You are transported into the world where the author intends you to be and even beyond as per your understanding and interpretations of the subject. You can totally go off tangent reading and feel totally alienated from the real world, thus giving the feeling of the present,  forgetting the past and unconcerned of the future. This titillates one into happiness and oneness with nature and all the beliefs which one adheres to.

Go Walking to feel better

This again is a happiness enhancing activity to the core. Just have to apply the right mind to it.

One step after another and you develop a repetitive action that creates meditation and trance.

Focus your energies on just what is happening in the present and forget the past and the future will take care of itself. Scientific Reasoning- Again the happiness hormones namely; Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, Oxytocin. Each has specific ways to enhance your energy levels feeling of happiness, enhancing confidence, feeling better and being upbeat. Basically, any activity which can trigger the release of these specific hormones can do the trick of generating happiness and feeling of well being in oneself.

Shopping to feel better

Did you think we’d miss this out? Shopping makes you feel better and is one of the most therapeutic ways to make your mood go from 0 to 10. You don’t have to splurge, just window shopping also helps. Shopping brings one instant happiness. The joy of bringing home addition to your closet is a surreal feeling. Right from removing it from the shopping bag and making its way to the hanger in your wardrobe! It’s pleasing to all your senses and makes you feel better.  

Gardening to feel better

The phrase, “Gardening simply doesn’t allow one to be mentally old because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realised.” is very true! Planting a garden means you have hope and is truly therapeutic. For some, it’s the vibrant colours of the flowering plants, while for others it’s the fragrance of the earth, flowers and leaves, regardless, the activity can make anyone feel better. Your garden could be your place to unwind the body and mind. For some gardening is even a challenge, it teaches one to be patient. Watering plants is a very soothing activity. We may think we are nurturing the plant but in fact, the plants are nurturing our souls.

Journaling to feel better

Writing a little something in your diary or phone memo is just something that helps you express yourself and feel better and light-hearted. Sometimes it is hard to let out our feeling to our friends or family members, instead of this it is always good to write down your thoughts and make yourself feel better. 

Hiking to feel better

This activity packs an additional advantage, as the environment and the surroundings are incremental in getting you happy and feeling of well being. When you are one with nature it always triggers your happiness hormones. Global implication- Hiking can trigger a global phenomenon urgently needed for humanity, that is caring for mother nature and being one with nature. This thus not only helps one to be happy and feel better but slowly and steadily puts us homo sapiens to understand the importance of all our actions which have a direct impact on nature. We are all living in a false narrative of Save the Earth. The earth is very much capable of saving itself. We as a species are in danger of extinction and not Mother Earth. And hiking solves this problem. Happiness and mental well-being is intrinsically linked to nature and make you feel better.

Watching your favourite TV show or Movie

Everybody has their own go-to movie that they can watch a million times and not get bored of it. Even better is knowing all the dialogues. Either it is classic romantic, comedy or your favourite action-packed thriller, binge-watching can definitely make you feel better and sometimes take you down a nostalgic memory lane which is always a good feeling. Watching something that is a well-known film or shows also gives you a chance to talk to people and discuss. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime and many more OTT platforms have made people talk about the most trending shows and has also made it easier for people to watch any of their favourite movies. Binge-watching has now been associated with a positive aspect for an individual.

Swimming to feel better

Again this activity can be classified as one among the above activities namely cycling hiking or walking. As the commonality is cardio which helps release Dopamine which in turn gives one the feeling of trance and instant happiness. Here being with water has its other advantages, Physical and mental,  being made of 70% of the water we have a natural affinity towards water bodies. One always feels good overlooking lakes rivers and oceans and also being amongst them makes you feel better.

Scientific Reasoning- Swimming definitely increases your immune system and thus makes you less prone to diseases. And being a cardio exercise when done over a pretty long period of time it has the same effects of hormones and happiness related to it. But swimming also can be very fulfilling and make one feel the vastness of nature and how insignificant we homo sapiens are in the grand scheme of things.

Going for a long drive to feel better

 There are roads and roads leading to happiness, all one needs is a vehicle. Get on your motorbike or get into your car and just go on those unwinding roads and you can reach your Heavenly abode of Happiness peace and content. Here again Nature and the lovely beautiful surroundings are equally at play in bringing you happiness. Think of going for a long drive in the Traffic of Mumbai. This can transport you straight to Hell, with unending stress and unhappiness. But with a soulmate for company, it could be a blissful and amazingly happy experience to go for a long drive, happiness will be the only resultant outcome.

Cooking to feel better

One therapeutic way to achieve happiness and a feeling of well being is cooking. The pleasure achieved when we immerse ourselves in making any dish, the chemistry involved, the various flavours and aromas generated hence create a feeling of well being and happiness but the other aspect of cooking is the happiness derived when our efforts and skills are appreciated. This releases tremendous amounts of oxytocin to elate your mood levels and generates tremendous Happiness. Even when cooking solo the whole process of cooking itself is a stress-busting exercise.

Scientific Reasoning- Homo sapiens are wired to process food after it has been procured, as no other animal takes efforts to change the characteristics of the food one consumes via cooking. This itself is unique and thus has become an important activity for humans since time immemorial. But as we evolved, the process of Cooking has also changed and thus it’s an activity now and not just a necessity. This has been the change.

Do your favourite art activity to feel better

Stimulating your creative mind is the best way to let go the stress and anxiety. Art therapy could be one of the best activities for that stimulation. Painting and sketching could be some of the best emotional outlets to feel relaxed and come out with the best version of yourself. This is the reason why schools always promote arts and crafts. Making children aware of their creative sense and bringing out the best in them is one of the most important things. Even as adults, individuals should take out time and do something they like to do. Ever since the pandemic, Fluid art has emerged as a great lockdown activity during which people also encouraged their family members to participate. This gave them a chance to spend time together.

This can also include activities like Pottery. Pottery is a peaceful and soothing activity. Though it is messy, it is always fun to try something different.

Play with your pet to feel better

Returning home after a tiring and exhausting day? Isn’t it the best feeling in the world, having a dog wagging its tail and waiting for you at the entrance of your home? Your pet is your best friend, they know exactly when you have had a bad day and can instantly elevate your mood by just giving you sloppy licks all over your face. 

Bake cakes and cookies to feel better

Want to stimulate yourself from within? What could be better than baking a cake on a lonely Sunday afternoon? Baking would help you release those happy hormones which make one feel energetic and satisfied. So go get your hands on kneading the dough, heating the oven and get the mixer going. Baking keeps you occupied and distracts your mind from overthinking.

Bird watching to feel better

Salim Ali is the first name that comes to mind when we mention ” Bird watching” This is one activity that also takes you close to nature and patience is a virtue for all bird watchers, with patience one gets endurance and peace of mind. These are known characteristics for happiness and feeling of contentment. To appreciate nature and its intricacies is one of the attributes of bird watching. One is compelled to admire mother nature in all its glory with Bird watching. Scientific Reasoning- First and foremost one has to be with nature and its elements to do any kind of Bird watching. That is of foremost importance for happiness and contentment. Peace of mind feeling of gratitude and being content are the attributes of happiness.

Dancing to feel better

For some people dancing is a hobby, but for many, it’s expressing yourself through movements. You don’t have to care about how you look. Dancing is the most authentic way of expressing yourself. It is also a form of exercise which helps in releasing endorphins (happy hormones). Movement in your body will also remove your frustration. Dancing is also a form of art, it transforms your emotions into ravishing movements. 

Play video games to feel better

Gaming is a big stress buster for many individuals, it makes you forget all your problems, it’s your happy place. Playing Video games can be relaxing and chilling where you don’t have to think about anything. The activity gives you a chance to zone out of the issues of the world. In a way, It is also said that playing video games reduces negative emotions such as anxiety, stress and frustration. Video games are truly fun and can make you feel positive and energetic.

Travel to feel better

In the truest sense, travelling makes you feel completely alive. It is a break you take from all your responsibilities. It makes you carefree and sees the world from a whole new perspective. The breath of fresh air and a change in environment is definitely good for oneself. Travelling not just makes your brain happy but also more active. It also gives you a prospect of meeting new people from different cultures and getting to hear about their experiences. Travelling to new places also enables you in discovering yourself and giving yourself more time, it definitely makes you a better person and helps in reconnecting with your inner self.

We all have days where we don’t feel like ourselves or feel low. The only way to get through this is to do something about it. Indulging in your favourite hobby or activity always helps you snap out of it. These activities are guaranteed to lift your spirits and regain the positivity that you seek.