41 Amazing Pick Me Ups When You’re Feeling Down

Depressed? Feeling Down? Overwhelmed? We all get down from time to time and feel bad because we’re not keeping up with our life goals while wishing we were in another place in our lives. 

There are many reasons we can feel down and depressed. I’m not a doctor so I won’t discuss treatments or medications, but what I can do is discuss some of the things that have helped me battle my depression and lift me back up when I’m feeling down.

Depression and feeling down can last for a long time, and it interferes with achieving our life goal. Sometimes we don’t feel like doing anything even though we know we should. Here’s a list of things that have worked for me:

Take Action

Focus on the first thing you need to do. If that first task is so big that it seems impossible to take the first step, break it down, and do the smaller parts first. 

By finishing the smaller jobs, you get a sense of accomplishment and start to feel a little better.   You may still feel overwhelmed, but you’re again doing something instead of lying around, feeling sorry for yourself. 

Keep at it, keep the momentum going, the more you keep going, the more you’ll want to do. 

Create a List

Being overwhelmed can get us down. I make a list of things I need to do to help me break things down and put things in order. It also helps me remember what I need to do. 

I pick up a pen and paper or make a list on my computer, of all the essential things that I need to take care of. 

Sometimes it’s my work tasks, things I need to do around the house, goals I want to complete, or all of them together. By making this list, it will help you get things under control instead of having them all bouncing around in your head. 

All your tasks are on that piece of paper now, right in front of you. This alone can make you feel better. Don’t forget the first one though, Take Action!

Go Outside

Staying at home, lying around and thinking, can depress us. I know it does for me. I start thinking, and negative thoughts enter my head. 

Just getting out of your home, showered, shaved, and clean can make us feel better. Go for a walk, run, meet up with a friend, or you can do something on your list 🙂 See step 2.

Shower and Clean Yourself Up

Sitting around in your dirty clothes can get you down. Take a shower and groom yourself. The water, soap, and just getting clean, can do a world of difference for you.  After your shower, groom yourself, shave, brush your teeth, and comb your hair. This picks me up right away!

I know you don’t want to exercise. Laying around seems like more fun, but that is what is getting you down. Exercise gets the blood flowing, your muscles working. 

You don’t have to work out hard; just a simple 30-minute walk is right for me. I look at the trees, the birds flying and chirping, and the squirrels hiding their nuts. You know the saying, “Just Do It!”

Play Music

Music, I love music. It always gets me in a good mood, listening to the sounds of the instruments, the voices of the people singing. Play whatever you like, but make sure it’s upbeat and happy. Turn up the speakers, make it loud, get moving to the beat. 

Talk to Someone

Talk to a friend, a loved one, a coworker, or your significant other. People we love are there for us. They’re there to listen to us and talk with us. 

If you don’t have someone to talk to, find a professional. You can even call a hotline and talk on the phone. I recently found a free emotional-support site called 7cups.com, that can help you. 

Online forums can also help by finding someone to talk to. 

Being open and talking can help you feel better and could help you figure out the reasons you’re feeling down.

Take a Mental Health Day

Some days I’m just feeling down or depressed so I’ll take a mental health day, take off work, and do what makes me happy. 

I’ll go for a walk in the mountain or go kayaking. I love kayaking and being out on the water under the sun. It picks me right up when I’m feeling down.

Daydream

I love daydreaming thinking of things about my life or anything in general. A mental vacation can be fun and helps me relax and uplift me.

Focus on what Matters in Your Life

I try to focus on what truly matters to me and not the negative things happening around me. I think about my friends and family, the fun times we’ve had and may have in the future. 

Most of the negative things happening to us are just small points in time and don’t usually matter that much in the bigger picture.

Let Go of the Past

Letting go of the past has helped me recover from feeling down. I had a bad childhood, and that caused some PTSD, but I’ve learned that the past has made me who I am, and looking towards the future and practicing Self Care is very important.

Watch a Funny Movie or Video

I love watching comedies or funny movies on TV or Netflix and even a video on YouTube. There are thousands of funny videos online that can help when you’re feeling down.

Go around your house and open the blinds or the shades. Having a light and bright home can brighten your day by letting natural light shine inside.

Cry

Crying isn’t fun but can help release any negative emotions. Find a quiet place in your home if you don’t want to cry in front of anyone. Crying can help release pain, and you’ll feel better afterward.

Look at Old Pictures

Looking at old pictures can bring back memories of happy times and put a smile on your face.

Nap Time!

I love taking naps. I’ll take a short nap during the day, and when I wake up, I feel refreshed and happy.

Self Reflect

When I’m feeling down, I take some time to be alone and look at the things going on around me. Self Reflecting helps me to put things in perspective.

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