21 Simple Things You Can Do to Feel Better Right Now

I know what it feels like to be really miserable. I’ve been there. I know how hard it is when it’s a struggle to move, let alone get out of bed. And I know how much you may want that bad feeling to be over, no matter what’s causing it. But I believe that you have to fight for it, inch by inch, and over time, you will feel better. Rather than hoping for a quick recovery, if you have the patience to do the little things that make you feel a little better, and keep doing them even if you don’t really notice the improvement, you can climb yourself out of almost anything.

So I made you a list of 21 simple things you can do to feel better right here, right now. Print it up and stick it somewhere so you can see it often and then just choose one or two from the menu several times a day. Guaranteed, if you’ve been feeling really miserable, this practice will help you feel better. Best of all, it’s free, low tech and doesn’t take any equipment (or at least, not much)!

1. Take a walk and really connect with nature
2. Sing a song (any song) with gusto
3. Donate money, items or your time to a charity
4. Practice penmanship – beautifully write out the alphabet
5. Watch a stand-up comic on YouTube
6. Play with your dog or cat
7. Write an encouraging note to a friend or relative in need
8. Meditate for ten minutes
9. Do a drawing whether you’re a good artist or not
10. Listen (really listen) to music that you love
11. Bake something
12. Take a candlelit bath with spa music using essential oils
13. Do a twenty minute yoga or stretching video
14. Read a book or poem
15. Put on music and dance
16. Talk with your most supportive family member or friend
17. Sign up for a class to learn that thing that interests you
18. Close your eyes, sit up straight and take ten slow mindful breaths
19. Do a jigsaw puzzle
20. Write down three things for which you feel grateful
21. Zumba! No one can feel down when they’re doing Zumba!

If you feel tempted to do one of the things on the list, do it! That’s your wise inner voice pushing you to reach for health. I’m sure you have a lot of reasons why not to do things, but once you find yourself leaning towards being active, go for it. You can start to break the spell of misery.