7 Healthy Pick-Me-Ups To Feel Happier Almost Instantly

Change your mood in a healthy way and feel happier quickly and easily with these pick-me-ups to help you feel happy almost instantly.

All of us have days when we’re out of sorts. You just wish you were in a better mood. You may have gone through a breakup recently and are trying to learn how to be happy alone without feeling lonely.

Perhaps you tried to get yourself into a better state of mind but struggled to achieve it. We’ve all had days like that, and sometimes we all need a quick pick me up to get ourselves into a better feeling place.

When you’re in a dark place, you can sometimes forget how easy it is to feel happier, so here are seven simple ways to lift your mood. Many people have found them useful and some may even surprise you!

1. Go for a walk in nature

Nature is one of the greatest sources of happiness and going for a daily walk in nature is one of the best forms of exercise. When you’re feeling down, it is even more beneficial.

If you can, go into a natural environment with plants and birds. What do you notice first? The different shades of greenery, the fresh country air, the sound of birds, or the sunlight shining through the trees?

2. Dance to music

Music can shift a listener’s state within moments and its effect can be nearly magical. Dancing to your favourite dance numbers will raise your vibration and give you the benefit of those good-feeling endorphins.

So put on your favourite dance music or add some fun, hi-vibe music to your Spotify playlist and dance away!

3. Discover something new

Read something different than what you would normally read. It need not necessarily be serious literature. Get a detective novel or romance book or even a comic book.

Visit your local library or browse through a magazine rack. Pick up or buy a magazine you wouldn’t normally buy. You may just discover something new and wonderful.

4. Find something to laugh at

Laughter is not only one of the best ways to lift your spirits, but it can boost your health and immunity too. You could read a humorous book, or watch the latest rom-com on the telly.

You could watch funny cat videos on YouTube or Facebook, share a few new jokes with your friends. There is humour present in everyday things if we care enough to look for it.

5. Simple breathing meditation

Breathing meditation is a great exercise that you can do anywhere. Simply allow yourself to sit comfortably with your back straight. Now close your eyes and become aware of the flow of air into and out of your nostrils. That’s all there is to it.

Sit in silence for 10 to 15 minutes every day. Don’t be spooked by the unfamiliarity of silence. It teaches you how to truly listen and to pay attention to what’s going on inside of you.

Only when we are alone, do we have the space and peace we need to think without being outwardly influenced. Try this simple practice and see how good you feel afterwards.

6. Start a gratitude journal

The fact that you’re reading this article tells me that you’re probably much better off than most people on this planet. If you can read and have access to the internet, you are better off than most people in the world.

Learning to appreciate your blessings and seeing the good or greater meaning of things is an excellent practice to cultivate.

There are so many things to appreciate in your life and the best way to do that is to start a gratitude journal and write down all the things in your life you are grateful for.

7. Start a mindfulness practice

Cultivate mindful living with these free mindfulness workshops, and learn mindfulness meditation to reduce your stress and soothe your thoughts with meditation and movement.

All these happiness tips are pretty simple. There’s nothing profound or life-changing about them, but when all you need is a quick pick me up these may be just the thing you need.

But to learn how to always be happy, we must first be at peace with ourselves internally. Putting these simple ideas, methods, tools and techniques into action can bring us happiness in the moment, but they do not have a lasting effect on our inner self.

Happiness comes from within and the inner contentment that survives the roller coaster ride of life has its roots deep within our being. The only lasting source of happiness comes from finding and embracing who you are as a person and living a life with purpose and meaning.

We need to create peace in every aspect of our life — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual — to find a sense of satisfaction and completion. Find more self-care tips and practices in my emotional self-care book for women.