Have you been in a funk lately and just can’t seem to shake it off? It’s normal to have some bad days, but if it’s happening too often, it’s worth working on lifting your mood.
It might sound fluffy, but we need to feel happy to be productive and simply enjoy life.
If you’re in a funk and feeling down, and looking for some ways to feel happier again, I’d like to share some tips with you. These “feel better” tips really worked for me during a difficult time in my life.
While each day won’t always be easy, doing these simple things can actually change your mindset and make you feel happier.
Please note, if you’re feeling depressed and this is a persistent issue, please consult your physician and seek professional help.
How To Make Yourself Happier (Even During Difficult Times)
A few years ago, I was going through a difficult period. Things were so hard with my teen son. He was having trouble at school and we were having difficulties at home.
It was rough, on me in particular.
As a mom, I just wanted to make things better. We were getting help and talking with a family psychologist, but big problems like this aren’t solved in a day.
During that period of time, I had to remind myself of all the good I had and that was around me. A healthy family, a loving and supportive husband, a safe place to live, a steady job and income.
You get what I mean.
When I sulked and moaned and felt like just pulling the bed covers over my head, I knew I couldn’t continue to do this.
I had a younger son that needed me, a husband, parents and in-laws, a job to go to, and a struggling teen who needed a strong parent.
In order to function, I needed to really will myself into a good mood during that time.
Of course, I didn’t have a crystal ball, but in time things improved with my son both at school and at home.
I learned something through that experience.
Having an overall positive attitude during our family crisis, (believe me I had some negative moments too), really helped the situation.
Smiling and laughing was usually better than crying. We got through this with good humor and resilience.
You may have a different situation, but also one where staying in a bad mood funk just isn’t helpful or productive.
These feel-good tips are pretty simple, but when done regularly, they really work to improve your mood and outlook on life.
6 Simple Tips to Make Yourself Happier Right Now (and get out of a funk)
1. Smile
Nothing could be simpler, but actually smiling to yourself, or even in the mirror will instantly make you feel happy.
Try it now as you’re reading this. Your facial muscles feel good as you make a smile, often the bigger the better.
This first tip is so easy to implement. However, I promise you that if you do it often during the day (even when no one sees you), it will be the easiest and best habit you’ll ever have.
Your happiness will only grow. Don’t be surprised to not only your bad moods, but those of others.
2. Think of something you’re grateful for
Every single one of us has some good things in our lives, even on bad days. There’s nothing like counting our blessings to put things in perspective.
You can do one or two things.
At the very least, think and list out in your mind or even out loud to yourself all the good stuff in your life. It can be really general things, or it can be good things that happened during the day or even the week.
I enjoy sitting with a coffee in the morning and reflecting. I also do this in the evening when in bed.
However, if you love to write, consider getting a pretty journal and jotting down the things you’re grateful for.
Do this every day or a few times a week and it’s amazing how you’ll actually start having a more positive mindset.
3. Pat yourself on the back
What an amazing job you’re doing! Many of the things you do regularly might be going unnoticed, but they are important and awesome, so give yourself some credit.
Did you make dinner, clean the house or help the kids with homework? Great job!
Perhaps you really got through to a child you teach, or helped a client and they were appreciative. That’s fabulous!
Try and recognize the small and big things that you’re doing, and give yourself a compliment.
The fact is we’ll never be happy if we wait for others to notice and recognize us.
Be your own BFF.
If that voice in your head starts to tell you negative things, silence it with positivity and don’t allow anyone (not even THAT voice) put your BFF down!
4. Play a favorite song
Do you have a song that helps you feel happier when you’re in a bad mood? It may be dance songs that give you energy, or songs about the beach and ocean that make you feel calm and hopeful.
If you’re feeling like you need strength because the days are blah or just plain hard, create a playlist with songs that remind you of your strength and resilience.
Here are some ideas that come to mind:
- “I will survive” by Gloria Gaynor
- “Roar” by Katy Perry
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
- “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
- “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
Music and songs can give us positive energy, lift our spirits and can actually lift us up when we’re feeling down.
5. Read inspirational quotes
I love motivational quotes!
They can really inspire and remind us of our goals, our faith or any message we need to hear.
I have a little trick that I use, to keep these quotes top of mind and “ready” when I need them.
I screenshot meaningful quotes when I see them on Facebook or somewhere else, and I save them to look at later when I need a little confidence boost.
I have an album saved in my photos on my iphone. Occasionally I’ll text a beautiful inspirational quote graphic to a friend, when I can tell they need a pick me up.
If there’s quote that really lifts your spirits, consider printing it and placing it in a journal or where you can see it. You can even purchase a favorite print and hang it on the wall for inspiration.
6. Say daily affirmations
It can be hard to remember positive things that will move you in the right direction. By choosing a few daily affirmations to say or write down a couple of times a day, you’ll get your mind, body and soul in a positive place.
Daily affirmations are so simple, that many people skip over this advice when they hear it. However, these little magic phrases really turn our mindset around, when we repeat them often.
You can repeat them in the car, at home, or better yet, in front of the mirror with a big smile on your gorgeous face!
Here are a few positive affirmations for happiness, but you can create your own.
- Everything is always working out for me and there are many opportunities
- I have everything I need to be happy right now
- My future is bright and full
- I’m proud of myself and who I’m becoming
- I’m creating the life I want and deserve
- I am worthy
- Every day I’m feeling happier with life and myself
- I choose to focus on the good in my life
Recap: How to Make Yourself Feel Happy When You’re in a Funk
I hope these simple tips on how to make yourself feel happy, especially when in a rut or a funk, have been helpful. While these aren’t the only ways get happier, they are pretty quick and easy, and most importantly, easy to implement right now.
The first steps are the hardest, and things can only improve from here!
Have you found yourself in a bad mood or funk at any time? What did you do to start to feel happier again? Please let me know in the comments below.
With love and light,
Ilana xoxo