26 Ways to Instantly Feel Better When You’re Down

Everyone goes through ups and downs in life. However, some know how to feel better more quickly, as they’ve found unique remedies to negative feelings. If you’re not one of those people and still struggle to get up when you’re feeling down, we have some suggestions to help.

It’s important to recognize and feel negative emotions when they arise, but it’s also imperative that you don’t stay there too long. Use some of the following tips and tricks to overcome negative self-talk and emotions and get back to feeling like the best version of yourself.

1. Listen to Good Music

You know what kind of music makes you feel good. Maybe it’s metal, indie pop, jazz, or rock. When you’re down, do you prefer something calming and relaxing, or something that will get you up and dancing?

You can also listen to the songs you loved when you were in high school or university. This will help you remember good times with past friends.

2. Journal It out

Write down how you feel as a way to express your thoughts if you don’t feel like talking to anyone. This can help you identify the root of your current unhappiness, which will offer a direct way out.

3. Draw or Doodle

If you don’t want to write, try drawing or doodling to help make sense of your emotions. You may be surprised what comes up. Draw anything you want because no one’s going to judge your drawing skills.

4. Read Past Emails, Texts, or Letters

Reading messages sent to you in the past by friends or family can help you remember that there are people who love and care about you. If you’re trying to figure out how to feel better, find some especially uplifting messages when you’re feeling down.

5. Reflect on a Great Day

Silently think of a day or moment which you truly enjoyed, and try to recapture that very first feeling. Close your eyes and try to relive it through your five senses. This will trick the brain into thinking it’s real and may help return some of those positive emotions.

6. Look at Photos

Take out your photo albums and go through photos that make you smile. You can look at an old family vacation album or photos from the day you graduated. Just find photos that bring up positive, happy memories.

7. Cry

You should absolutely cry when you feel like doing so. Cry out all your fear and stress; what’s left after will help you look at your current problems with a fresh perspective.

As one article points out, “The stress-relieving response of crying has been found to be preceded by an uptick in parasympathetic nervous system activity, which means crying is facilitating activity that helps you start to relax”^[1].

It’s great to practice being strong, but if you’re feeling especially anxious or stressed, a good cry can go a long way.

8. Sing

Sing loudly like no one can hear you if you want to learn how to feel better. Did you know that in Japan, people always sing karaoke to relieve stress?

9. Cook a Healthy Meal

Cook a nice meal for yourself or for your family. Healthy food naturally makes you feel better by helping to balance hormones in the body. Furthermore, connecting with friends and family over good food will help you lean on your support system if you’re having a bad day.

10. Dress up

This is all about improving your self-image. If you feel better about yourself by changing the clothes you’re wearing, this will cultivate more positive emotions. Maybe, for dinner tonight, put on that nice new shirt you haven’t found a reason to wear yet.

11. Get out of Bed

It’s incredibly tempting to stay in bed and scroll through social media when we’re feeling down, but if you want to know how to feel better, you need to get out into the world. Grab your laptop or a book and go hang out at your favorite coffee place.

12. Take a Walk

Walking in nature and getting fresh air has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall well being. If you have access to a nature path, that’s a great option. If not, get out into your neighborhood and begin to notice the trees and birds along the road, and focus on your breathing to improve relaxation.

13. Sweat

If you’re working on how to fee better, getting in some exercise can do wonders. Exercise releases feel-good hormones and naturally relieves stress and anxiety. If you’re having a bad day, go for a jog or find a yoga video on YouTube.

14. Play an Instrument

If you have a guitar or drum set lying around, go play some music! This will help distract you from the challenges of the day.

15. Tidy up

As you’re learning how to feel better, organize your desk or closet; you’ll feel good that you’re being productive and actually doing something. Furthermore, clutter can cause increased stress as it impedes focus, so organizing can help you today and in the days to come^[2].

16. Watch Funny Videos

YouTube is full of funny videos for all ages. Find something that makes you laugh out loud to get those good vibes flowing.

17. Eat Something Delicious

Don’t go overboard, but if you need a little pick-me-up, eat a small piece of cake, a scoop of ice cream, or a slice of pie. Let yourself indulge, just don’t empty the gallon of ice cream.

18. Reread a Favorite Book

When you’re feeling down, you probably won’t want to put energy toward reading something new, but you can pick up an old favorite that you know makes you feel good. You can even write down specific quotes or passages you love and hang them on your fridge or near your computer.

19. Watch a New Movie

There are likely tons of movies you’ve always interested in but had no time to watch. If you’re learning how to feel better, now is a great time to watch one of those. Try to pick one that is funny or lighthearted before moving on to the others.

20. Do Something Nice

Do something nice that no one will notice. For example, you can pick up an empty plastic bottle in the street and throw it to a recycling bin. Or you can donate some old clothes to the local homeless shelter. Do something nice without looking for recognition in order to internalize those warm, fuzzy emotions that come from being kind.

21. Call Your Best Friend

Call up a good friend and just talk about whatever you want. If you don’t want to talk about what’s bothering you, focus on other things. Human beings are social animals after all, and connecting with people close to you will make you feel better.

22. Volunteer

As you’re learning how to feel better, this may not help you this very moment, but you can get online and look for places you can volunteer. In the long run, this will help you find a greater sense of purpose and happiness.

23. Let Loose

If you’re feeling bad, have a drink with a friend at home or put on some loud music and dance around the house with your kids. Do something that helps you feel free and alive.

24. Write to a Friend or Family Member

Write up a message to a friend or family member and tell them how much you care about them. Sending good vibes to them will naturally return those same good feelings to you, as you’ll know you made someone feel good.

25. Get out of Your Routine

Get out and meet new friends. Step out of your comfort zone by going to a new restaurant, going on a blind date, or dropping everything to go camping for the weekend. Meeting new people and having new experiences can inspire more positive feelings and help you learn how to feel better.

26. Look in the Mirror and Smile

Smiling releases neuropeptides, which help fight stress. Other feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin will follow these, offering you a good dose of positivity. It’s difficult to go on feeling sad if you’re trying to smile!

The Bottom Line

If you’re having a hard time, it can be difficult to focus on learning how to feel better. It’s best to start with something small to get some good energy flowing. From there, you can move on to bigger actions that can bring more positivity into your life day after day.

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”  —Epictetus

More on How to Feel Better

• How To Instantly Feel Better When You Are Depressed
• How to Tap Into the Power of Positivity
• 11 Simple Ways To Create Your Own Happiness

Featured photo credit: Chermiti Mohamed via unsplash.com