10 May 5 Ways to Feel Happy Right Now

Every now and again, we’re all susceptible to sadness, whether it’s caused by divisive national politics, personal health problems, financial woes, or just a case of the Mondays.

Don’t let downers get you down—today’s post is all about your daily dollop of encouragement, and here are 5 easy ways to fight gloom, get happy, and change your outlook on life.

1 Get Movin’

Walking, jogging, Zumba, kickboxing—anything. Exercise releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel good. Exercise 3 to 5 times a week for 30 minutes or more. Engage in any physical activity that you enjoy.

2 Lights On

Darkness makes you sleepy and can even make you morose. Go outside—get some all-natural UVB light with pure sunshine. Soaking in some rays boost your body’s vitamin D levels, which in turn help improve your mood.

3 Laugh

If you’re feeling a bit glum, your instinct may not be to watch something funny, but it can help. Pop in your favorite comedy, watch cats be ridiculous on YouTube—anything that’ll make you smile. Laughing releases endorphins and oxytocin, otherwise known as the “hug hormone.”

4 Thankfulness

Practice gratitude. Keep a journal—whether it be pen and paper or a smartphone app—and find something to be grateful for every single day. Even if your life circumstances don’t seem all that great, there is something that makes you grateful. By routinely recording these moments, you’re teaching your brain to skew towards the positive, and it can have a profound effect on how you look at the world.

5 Reach Out

Don’t do this alone! Allow yourself to be vulnerable to your friends and loved ones, and, in turn, allow them to be vulnerable with you. Emotional honesty promotes clarity of thought and self-awareness, giving you the tools you’ll need to fight back the blues. Strike up a conversation with a stranger, be a big brother, adopt a pet. The law of reciprocity states that those who bring happiness into the lives of others will reap it for themselves.

If your personal case of the blues feels more powerful and pronounced, and has lasted longer than a week or two, you may need additional help from professionals. That’s nothing to fear or be ashamed of.

Let us know what some of your go-to’s are when you’re feelin’ glum in the comments below!