10 Solo Activities to Lift Your Mood

Sometimes, even despite the sunshine outside and the love in our lives, we all just feel a little sad. Take action if you can, do things to make yourself feel better and take your mind off your worries. And you can, here are our ten favourite things to do to lift your mood:

1.Take a Walk

It’s summer right now, so get yourself outside and take a walk in the sun. Science tells us that sunshine really does make us happier. Dr. Michael Roizen says that “the sun works through a number of receptors in the brain to affect our mental status and alertness” and that “sunlight decreases the risk of depression in those at risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)”. Sunshine is great for everything, it can; improve sleep, produce vitamin D (vital for bone strength), reduce blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and even promote weight loss. So go, lotion up and bask in the sun, walk around a park and think, or go to visit a friend, have a chat, and feel better.

2. Treat Yourself

Make yourself feel good, whether that’s by coming to us at Trieu Nails and getting a pampered mani-pedi, or by splashing out on the fancier side of life with matching shellac nails and toes for summer. Treat yourself, remind yourself of your own value, you’re a diamond, get the killer nails to match. And come talk to us, we’ve always got an open ear, we’re not just a nail bar near you, we’re a friend.

3. Have a Bath

Run yourself a hot deep bath and soak out whatever it is that’s bothering you. Give yourself time to think, time for yourself. Don’t have a bath? A long hot shower can be just as restorative. Either way, you’re going to give those hardworking muscles, and your mind, a chance to relax. And as those muscles de-tense, you’ll find your mood relaxing as well, and you’ll feel happier, promise.

4. Listen to Some Happy Music

So here’s the deal, you can trick your mind into being happy, kinda. Your mind will naturally release endorphins while listening to happy music. Try putting on something that reminds you of a happy time, nostalgia works wonders. Spotify has lots of positive mood themed playlists, or try listening to an upbeat mix on YouTube. I love listening to classical music to raise my mood, my favourites are Bach and Mozart, with Philip Glass and Erik Satie for when I’m feeling pensive. 

5. Listen to a Comedy Show

So this one functions pretty similarly to music; trick your body and mind into being happy by laughing. Easy. But seriously, laughter has been proven to release endorphins, pretty much guaranteeing to lift your mood. So, whether it’s slapstick comedy and New Zealand accents from ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, or a classic stand-up act from someone like Richard Prior, stick on something that’ll make you laugh, you’re going to feel better for it. 

6. Eat Some Dark Chocolate 

This one’s a no brainer, indulge! But, probably just eat dark chocolate rather than the crisps. The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants it has, and the more endorphins that are released. Pat yourself on the back, you did something good for you by eating chocolate. 

7. Reflection 

You can do this with friends, or alone. Personally, I like to be alone to think through problems, but hashing out your difficulties with a close friend can always be useful. Have a coffee and think, go on a walk, exercise, whatever it takes to give your problems some thought. You probably should try to resolve the issue in your mind, you’ll feel better knowing your plan of action. 

8. Do Something with Your Hands 

I don’t know about you, but I worry. I’m a worrier. I like to think about the things that are making me worried, but sometimes, because I can’t find a resolution, they occupy my mind. Here, distraction is key. Take your mind off it. I find that doing something with my hands really helps distract me from whatever I want. So, knitting in front of Netflix, brushing and plaiting my hair, cutting vegetables for dinner, these all work great for me. I recently painted intricate patterns on a set of gel nails while watching Jane the Virgin, the process was incredibly satisfying and incredibly distracting. But, whatever it is getting you down, try taking your mind off it and draw your focus elsewhere by doing something with your hands.

9. Exercise

This one is a complete ‘body-hack’. Exercise just straight up releases endorphins. It’s going to make you feel better, do it. Even walking is exercise, every little counts. If you can’t bear to go to a gym, try taking a dance class, or cycle to work, it’s just going to make you feel happier.

10. Treat Yourself 

Did we mention this one already? Treat yourself! You’re the best, and you deserve it. Go for some trendy art on gel nails to inspire your mood! Come on down to your local nail bar, Trieu Nails, and talk to us about whatever it is that’s getting you down, we understand. Do it, take affirmative action and make yourself feel better! You can do it!