We all feel down or get stuck in ruts sometimes. Maybe it's because we're burned out from work or the endless demands of motherhood. Or maybe just because we're over a year into a global health crisis and that 'ish is stressful. It's natural for people to turn to food or drinking to cope, and that's fine if it's manageable, especially if it's a way to spend time with loved ones.
But there are other ways to feel good quickly and cheaply without the booze or the food. We have 20 ways here, including some products that can help with the process. At the end of the day, find an activity or "pick-me-up" tool that works the best based on one's own interests. From self-care with face masks and foot soaks to taking a few minutes each day to meditate, these pick-me-ups will definitely help one take a breather, and maybe even crack a smile.
Lighting a Candle
It's amazing what lighting a good-smelling can do to make us feel happier. The scent is pleasing and it can also create a relaxing environment that's kind to the senses. This Diptyque candle is aesthetically pleasing without being overwhelming and its fresh berry scent can help lift anyone's mood.
Reading a Powerful Book
Reading a good book is a great way to take one's mind off of the craziness of what's happening around us and escape to another world, especially if it is a positive or motivating book like Untamed by Glennon Doyle. But a good mystery or romance are fun options, too. There's something that feels great about immersing oneself in a good book.
Taking a Shower With a Strong Shower Head
Taking a shower can feel like an at-home mini spa. Just set the water to warm (or hot), depending on one's preference, and make sure to get a really good shower head to optimize the massage that it can provide with water. It's a way to rinse off the stress and feel fresh, clean, and relaxed before a long day or after a tough one.
Watching a Funny Show
Thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix and the rest, it's so easy to watch a good show at any time, without commercials and without having to wait for a new episode to come out each week. Binging a series is a fun way to mentally escape, especially if it's a comedy like Schitt's Creek or The Office.
Putting on Really Cozy Socks
Many people know the feeling. One's feet get super cold, or someone puts on comfy clothes after a long day, and then the fuzzy socks go on and it sends an immediate sense of comfort and relief through the body. That's why we recommend that when things get hard or overwhelming, just throw on some fuzzy socks.
Getting an At-Home Massage
Fuzzy socks feel great, but massages can take the inside fuzzy feelings and take the relief up a notch, and you don't have to go to a masseuse to get a decent one. An at-home massager like this one from Amazon is a quick and feel-good way to get a massage when things are stressful and your shoulders or back could use professional-level release.
Calling a Friend
If therapy isn't available or an option when you're feeling down, picking up the phone to call or text a friend or loved one to get clarity or hear some reassuring words can really make a huge difference. It's OK to reach out and ask for help or tell someone you're feeling down. Getting your feelings out is half the battle.
Smelling Some Relaxing Lavender
$55
from
Uncommon Goods
Lavender is said to be a relaxing and calming aroma and we're all about it, because no matter what it is said to do, it smells amazing and breathing it in itself can create a sense of calm. This "Make Time to Unwind" set has a kit to grow a lavender plant as well as a scented spray, a face mask, and a candle.
Meditating With Crystals
Speaking of calming things, meditation is a great way to center oneself and try to focus on gratitude or other anti-anxiety or anti-stress techniques. A great way to focus during meditating is with crystals that may help to channel different positive and helpful energies. This crystal healing set could be a great one to start with.
Watering a Potted Plant
Potted plants aren't the same as taking care of a human child or an animal, but they require focus (when watering) and can make a room feel brighter and happier (and the air fresher), in our opinion. We suggest getting a succulent, or if you already have plants, taking time to step away from stressors and tend to them.
Reading an Interesting Self-Care Book
We mentioned reading as a way to pick oneself up, and we stand by that. But if reading self-help is more of someone's style, we recommend a book that takes your mind off the stress by educating people about a topic or teaches them different techniques they can use in their everyday life. The Witch's Book of Self-Care as shown here is a fun one.
Doing an At-Home Foot Soak
When comfy socks feel good but you just need more, we recommend treating your feet to even more good textures and feels, like this with this portable foot massage bath. It has water jets, adjustable temperatures, and a pumice stone for an at-home foot treatment without having to go to a salon. Even just sticking our feet in a bucket of warm water is a totally fine foot bath, too.
Doing a Face Mask
While the foot bath is happening, or just some down time on the couch or in the bathroom after a shower, a great pick-me-up for both the soul and the face is a face mask. This Tatcha mask makes skin dewy and plump, which is definitely something that helps us feel refreshed and cared for. This $12 Tatcha mask is an extra luxury.
A New Hair Color
$11
from
Sally Beauty
Some women like to change their hair with their emotions. It's almost a staple of being a woman or person who just really loves to experiment with their hair. And a fun or daring new hair color is an easy way to feel good about yourself. With at-home color, it can be done yourself at an affordable price.
Volunteering at an Animal Shelter
Helping others is a great way to feel good about life and ourselves. It's like life's natural form of serotonin for good-hearted people. We recommend volunteering at an animal shelter as it's been shown that our furry friends can help us feel happier. Mostly because they're so darn cute. If that can't happen, visit a friend who owns a cute pet.
Putting on a Good Lipstick
If hair color changes are a little too drastic or too permanent as a pick-me-up, then the next best thing is makeup. It's fun to play around with the colors and try out different techniques. At the least, putting on lipstick can really make us feel beautiful and put together when we're otherwise feeling "blah."
Going for a Walk or a Run
They don't call it runner's high for nothing. Exercise releases endorphins that help people feel good, maybe even happy. That's why if you're feeling down or burned out, we recommend taking a walk or going on an easy jog or run to get those brain chemicals moving and grooving. This should help boost your overall mood.
Doing a Fresh Manicure
$8
from
Olive and June
Can you tell we're all about using beauty products to help people get out of a rut? Sometimes (OK, lots of times) a fresh coat of nail polish can make a person feel brand new. It can give someone something to keep busy with and finding the perfect color can brighten things up, literally. This could also help people brighten up on the inside, too!
Journaling
Journaling has been a recommendation therapists suggest as homework for clients to get them to think about their feelings and get it out on paper, and maybe feel a release from it. And it works. Feeling down? Get a notebook and jot down some thoughts, write a poem or just doodle. Whatever it takes to get your mind in a different place.
Dancing to Music
Dance like no one is watching. Seriously. If you're feeling down, put on some good music and just start dancing around. We have no clue how the science behind this works, but it does. Probably because it can get those endorphins going and in turn, put a smile on your face, even if it's from laughing at yourself in the mirror. It can't hurt to try!
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