Top 10 Easy Ways To Feel Better Fast!

Feel stuck in a bad mood?

Instead of waiting for circumstances outside of yourself (and out of your control) to change, so that you can feel better, you can take some small steps and shift your mood.

These easy ideas will empower you so that you can take control and get unstuck.

Here are my top 10 ways to feel better fast:

1. Turn on upbeat music

Music is a quick way to change your state and uplift your mood.

What songs make you feel so good when you listen to them, that you can't help but move and sing along?

Make a playlist so when you feel blah, you can quickly shift your mood and get energized. I asked some friends what songs help them feel good and below are some great suggestions.

2. Make a list of 10 things you're grateful for

I'm sure you feel some level of gratitude for all the great things in your life.

But writing it down takes it to a different level. It helps your attention linger and amplify the good feelings.

And it sets your reticular activating system (brain filter) to notice more things you are grateful for.

This will help you feel better in the moment, and the practice can train your brain, so you feel more positive over time.

3. Connect with another human being

Phone a family member, talk to a neighbor, attend a live event, make plans to meetup with a friend.

It's easy to isolate when you don't feel great, but you may find that connecting with people can help you feel much better.

4. Move your body

It may be that the last thing you want to do is move your body.

But studies show again and again that movement releases "feel good hormones" and is an effective way to shift your mood.

Jumping up and down, shaking your booty, and walking the dog count. Any kind of movement.

It doesn't have to be an hour long workout in the gym. Just a few minutes can give you positive effects.

5. Go outside

Moving your body in nature brings it to the next level. Go for a walk, ride your bike, visit the beach, a nature trail or your backyard. Look at the trees, the birds, the flowers, the water. Listen to sounds in nature. Tune in to the feeling of the sun or breeze on your skin.

Nature is healing and calming. Even just sitting in the sun for 10 minutes can turn your day around!

6. Do a random act of kindness

Have you ever noticed how good it feels when you help someone? It could be the littlest thing like opening the door for someone, asking the cashier how their day is going, giving a granola bar to a homeless person, or leaving a surprise note for a family member.

Come up with some ideas of little things you can do to help make someone's day a little happier or easier.

It will make you happier, too!

7. Create something

Draw, paint, crochet, plant something, build some Legos, do a puzzle, get crafty.

Make it a point to do something that you enjoy and can get lost in. It doesn't need to be a masterpiece, complicated or time consuming.

What are some things you enjoy doing?

8. Clean or organize 1 thing

Wait, what? This may seem like it would make you feel worse but give it a quick try.

When you accomplish a small goal, your brain gets some dopamine, and you feel a sense of satisfaction.

Tackle that junk drawer, take 2 minutes to clean the toothpaste spit off your bathroom mirror or empty the granola bar wrappers out of your car!

9. Give your pet some love

Giving your pet some attention is a great way to feel better. Pet your dog or cat, throw around a toy or take them for a walk. This is sure to give you a boost (and them, too!)

10. Practice mindfulness

Direct your attention to the present moment. Enjoy the smell of the bodywash and the feeling of the hot water in the shower. Tune in and savor your coffee. Notice how your dog wags his tail when you look at him. Pay attention to how nice your hands feel as you put on moisturizer.

There are more things competing for your attention than you can focus on. Be intentional about directing your focus to the present moment, and you'll find you may be less worried about the future, and less sad or angry about something in the past.

Make it a point to get enjoyment from those little pleasures throughout your day that often get missed!

Discover more mindfulness tools and experience a deeply relaxing hypnosis session in my upcoming program on Zoom, "Mindfulness Magic."

One Important Thing To Note

This isn't about fake positivity, about stuffing your feelings down or pretending everything is ok when it really isn't. As they say, you have to feel it to heal it!

It's important to process your feelings but sometimes we can get stuck in a rut. This list is for those day you may feel tired, moody, or a little down in the dumps.

This is for educational purposes and not meant to replace medical care.

If you are experiencing depression or anxiety, please talk to your physician or mental health professional.

Click below to check out the "Mindfulness Magic" Hypnosis Program

So that you can tune in, feel better, and enjoy your life more!