[Ro]

I am sitting here writing a muse about ways to cheer yourself up when you need it. Tell me... what do you do when you are feeling blue?

[teecee]

Sometimes just reminding myself of my many blessings helps, and sometimes listening to upbeat, happy music helps.

[Sherry Lynn]

I hug and pat my dogs - that always makes me feel better!

[sarabethp]

I love to watch one of those great animation movies. The happily ever after kind.

[Smiles]

I ask myself why I'm down, and do my best to have compassion about the reasons - there are usually good ones. Sometimes I escape with a good book, sometimes I check the messageboard as a distraction, sometimes I take a nap, or talk it over with a friend or my DH. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate always helps!

[tiza126]

I cuddle with Noelle, eat a piece (or two or three) of dark chocolate, then crank up some upbeat music. Or I call mom.

[scrappinchar]

Good question. Made me think. Talking to Rich about it and having his support/comfort is great. Looking back through my scrapbooks always puts me in a better mood. Seeing those layouts of my family makes me happy. An ice cold Diet Dr. Pepper helps, too. lol

[mimes1]

I make a cup of coffee and try to find some quiet time. Cleaning helps too.
Another thing I do is to try to find a "rose" in my day. No matter how small. That takes me to task to find it. When I do, I am reminded of Gods' Blessings, and I generally feel better.

[SandiC.]

Take a walk in nature, read a book, pet the kitties, talk to a good friend on the phone, no texting or online chatting, really talking.

[KFiasco]

Ever since I can remember I have sought out a child to spend time with. I have been babysitting ever since I was 13-14. Where ever I have lived I have had a family with a baby or toddler to babysit and I would seek them out when I was down. A kid giggling gives me the best feeling.

Karen

[AnnBK]

A long walk in a beautiful place with my camera in hand. I get so wrapped up in the surroundings I forget whatever it was that was bothering me.

[mbc72]

I like to turn on some fun music, lose myself in a good book, say a prayer, jump into a warm bubble bath or take a nap. Sometimes the reason for a bad mood is physical and I''l have to think about the last time I ate, or if I have been getting enough sleep lately.

[luckyladybug]

I listen to music and snuggle with a cat or a kid, whichever is handier (and more willing to do some cheering--it's about 50/50 around here!) LOl!

[Cheri T]

Scrapbooking is my therapy, and if I'm feeling down, I scrapbook a page "just for me/us." Not an assignment, it doesn't have to be perfect or contain the most clever embellishment cluster ever. Just a good memory and all my fun SG supplies, me, and my computer:)
My others have already been mentioned: pet our dog, cuddle my toddler, listen to a fav song, oh, here's a good one: BELT OUT a fav song at top volume in the car:)

[April Showers]

I scrap and chat. Honestly that is why I got hooked here right after my mother died. I also like to sing. I sing the songs I learned at church when I was little. They always make me smile.

[Sara Arell]

If I need cheering up, I almost always turn to my dh (who generally knows I need cheering up) and he's just always there for me. He can make me laugh when laughter is the last thing on my mind, he reminds me of how fortunate we are in so many ways and just hearing him say, "It's okay, I love you" will always do the trick.

I also turn to the messageboard to chat with good friends who are here 24/7 and they are just the best ever friends to turn to at times. I also launch into a big cleaning spree which always makes me feel good and forget about my troubles. And, sometimes, I just wait to read your Muse, Ro - it ALWAYS clears my mind and cheers me up!

I'm a pretty upbeat and happy person 99% of the time though and more than anything I find that cheering someone else up always cheers me up. If I have someone to take care of then I'm happy.

[CRS]

Talking to Dh gets me through it. He always has a different perspective and is so supportive! And of course, chocolate always helps!

[Sara Arell]

I just thought of another thing I do when I need cheering up and it may sound silly, but I use it as a "mental health day" and stay in my pajamas until Rich says "aren't you going to get dressed today?" There's just something calming about staying in pj's! I guess that's a little embarrassing to admit, but I do it!

[Jster025]

As some have already said, I just start listing my blessings in my mind one-by-one. I have done this for so long that it only takes me to about the 2nd or 3rd blessing before I’m chiding myself for even feeling down at all. Then I just go on my happy way!

I have to say, though, that I guess I’m one of those few people that don’t seem to feel ‘down’ or ‘blue’ very much. I don’t know if it is due to the training my ‘blessings list’ coping mechanism has given me, or if it’s something in my temperament or upbringing. Maybe a combo of all of them. My sister, who has my opposite temperament, doesn’t seem to suffer the ‘downs’ either. We were raised to ‘just get along with life and enjoy it’. Possibly it also has to do with our age, being raised in different times. When we were young children, we were the center of our parents being, BUT life was NOT ‘all about me’ and ‘what I wanted’. I wouldn’t give anything for the grounding that gave me.

[PolkaDot]

I do a few things in order....

Take a look at what I have been eating.
Take a look at recent sleep patterns.
Check that I have been taking my medication regularly and as prescribed.

If those are all good, I like to listen to Big Band Music. It always makes me feel good! Catchy tunes which get you moving. I have a Pandora station set up for it.

Like Carla, DH always has a different and sensible perspective on whatever might be bothering me, if there is something specific.

[Jo Corne]

like some here, I am mostly an upbeat person and don't feel down most of the time. I have always been a 'glass is half full' type of person and hope to continue to be so
that's not to say I don't have my moments but when they come I, like many others here, talk with Dh, he is so whacky that he usually puts a totally difference slant on my feelings and then, makes me laugh. I always tell him that the minute he stops making me laugh, it's over... and we have been together for 20 years so he must be doing the right thing by me, LOL.

I scrap,
I try and smooth the cat...she's not really a people person but there are times she will let us touch her
I usually feel like I need a big cry and if that happens, I feel heaps better
I count my blessings and try and see all the wonderfulness that is in my life.

thanks for making me think about this one Ro

[Smoky]

My husband ALWAYS makes me feel better when I'm down, but if he's not around, the dogs will usually cheer me up by cuddling with me or by doing something silly. Being out in nature is the best therapy for me. During one particularly bad year, we went camping in the woods EVERY weekend. I don't know how I would've coped otherwise. It worked wonders for my spirits!

[mbc72]

Sara Arell, on 07 March 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

I just thought of another thing I do when I need cheering up and it may sound silly, but I use it as a "mental health day" and stay in my pajamas until Rich says "aren't you going to get dressed today?" There's just something calming about staying in pj's! I guess that's a little embarrassing to admit, but I do it!

Sara, my Grandmother used to call these "do nothing" days. We would stay in our pj's, eat breakfast for every meal and just do nothing!!

[KayMitch]

I rarely feel down but I know that exercise in the form of a brisk walk can help to get those endorphins working. Dancing to some upbeat music EG Abba and talking to a friend / husband- daughter. Also , I'd go for the chocolate. Even when you aren't down. I think decluttering also helps beat the blues. I can't even think straight when there is a mess and I get even more stressed. Have to say counting your blessings is good too. Mmmm and what about a beautiful massage or coffee with a friend. Is that too many????? Kay

[Sara Arell]

mbc72, on 07 March 2012 - 08:04 PM, said:

Sara Arell, on 07 March 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

I just thought of another thing I do when I need cheering up and it may sound silly, but I use it as a "mental health day" and stay in my pajamas until Rich says "aren't you going to get dressed today?" There's just something calming about staying in pj's! I guess that's a little embarrassing to admit, but I do it!

Sara, my Grandmother used to call these "do nothing" days. We would stay in our pj's, eat breakfast for every meal and just do nothing!!

I like that, Melanie - "do nothing" days! Sounds better than "mental health days"!

[Jane in N.Z]

Go for a good brisk walk and talk to God

[Smiles]

Prevention magazine cited a study out of England that looking at a family photo album was one of the best blues busters there is. Another reason to scrap!

[Ro]

KayMitch, on 08 March 2012 - 02:37 AM, said:

I rarely feel down but I know that exercise in the form of a brisk walk can help to get those endorphins working. Dancing to some upbeat music EG Abba and talking to a friend / husband- daughter. Also , I'd go for the chocolate. Even when you aren't down. I think decluttering also helps beat the blues. I can't even think straight when there is a mess and I get even more stressed. Have to say counting your blessings is good too. Mmmm and what about a beautiful massage or coffee with a friend. Is that too many????? Kay

Abba! I love Abba!

What a cool list of things we've got going here!

[KayMitch]

I love Abba too Ro. We watched Mamma Mia the other night.......AGAIN. Such a feel good movie so there is another idea. Also comfort food helps some people. Like something your Mum used to make you. Shopping also does it for people so I've heard. What a great list we are compiling here. Great idea Ro. Kay

[Sara Arell]

I also go shopping when I need cheering up much to my dh's dismay! It's a terrible time to shop and quite honestly, I usually buy things I don't really need and wind up returning them but it makes me happy while I'm doing it!