30 things to do if you are feeling blue

Today I woke up feeling deflated- as though all the air has been squished out of me. I am tired although there is no reason to be and just feel generally sad even though there is no particular reason why. At times like this, I find it helpful to remind myself that all really is well. I am lovable, I am loved and everything is going to be okay. I find it helpful also, to remember that this is just a mood that I am in and that this mood does not define me. Over the years I have tried many strategies that I find helpful on days like this. Here are 30 that I find most helpful!

What to do when you are feeling blue: my top tips!

Give yourself permission to feel sad. It’s okay.
Give yourself a mental hug and talk to yourself as you would talk to a friend who has admitted that they are feeling blue. Avoid negative self-talk.
Think about reaching out to a friend and talking through how you are feeling.
Listen to your favourite music or a playlist- the Happier Podcast list on Spotify is a good place to start or you could make your own playlist of soothing songs.
Watch a ‘feel good film’ – preferably one that does not require much concentration. I especially love Christmas movies and watch them all year round when I need a boost! My favourites are White Christmas and Elf.
Have a nice cup of tea- either savour on your own or with a friend
Have a nice cup of coffee – either on your own or with a friend
Do some simple stretching exercises – slowly bend down and try to touch your toes or practice your downward dog pose.
Slowly blow out bubbles with a bubble wand.
Have a big glass of water with ice and lemon and sip it slowly.
Put on some nice smelling lip-balm or a face mask. Oats that are mixed with water makes a one that costs very little to make.
Try to accomplish a small task – clear your desk, fold some laundry or stack the dishwasher for example.
Go to the library and flick through magazines that you would never usually choose to read or sign up for the readily app and have a choice of thousands of magazines from around the world.
Have a nice hot shower and put on some clean pyjamas or your favourite comfy clothes.
Feed the birds in your garden or at the park
Try and give three people a genuine compliment
Look at pictures of things you love on Pinterest – I have a board labelled ‘things I love’ that includes pictures of my favourite animals, quotes and other random things that just appeal to me visually.
Go for a walk – get out and breathe in the fresh air.
Watch the sunrise or sunset.
Watch an inspiring video or TED Talk
Eat a big fruit salad
Write about how you are feeling in a journal
Call a friend for a chat
Bake a cake to share
Do some colouring or doodling
Bake a loaf of bread from scratch
Re-read your favourite book – I always go back to Little Women and the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder when I need a boost.
Go for a swim or a paddle.
Kick your shoes off and walk on the sand if you are lucky enough to live near the ocean. If you have a patch of grass, walk on that barefoot.
Buy yourself a bunch of flowers or pick some from your garden.