Summary

The article provides five activities to improve one's mood during challenging times, emphasizing simple, joyful actions that can be done amidst the pandemic's restrictions.

Abstract

The author of the article acknowledges the recent tough times and the struggle to maintain a stable mood due to the pandemic's impact on daily routines. Despite recognizing personal privileges, such as job security and good health, the author admits to feeling moody and in need of mood-lifting activities. The article suggests five accessible and enjoyable practices to enhance one's mood: taking walks and picking fresh flowers, enjoying ice cream while listening to uplifting music, baking for friends, watching movies with homemade snacks, and visiting pet stores or shelters. These activities are presented as easy to incorporate into a home office routine and require minimal time and expense.

Opinions

The author believes in the power of nature and simple outdoor activities like walking and picking flowers to boost one's mood.
Indulging in ice cream and music is seen as a quintessential summer activity that can evoke happy memories and improve one's emotional state.
Baking for others is considered a mutually beneficial act, bringing joy to both the receiver and the baker.
The author values quality leisure time, suggesting that watching a movie with homemade snacks is a cozy and comforting experience.
Volunteering at a pet shelter and interacting with animals is recommended as a heartwarming and mood-lifting activity, though the author notes that access may be limited due to the pandemic.
The article conveys that self-care is crucial during difficult times, and that everyone deserves to treat themselves kindly.

5 Things That Will Instantly Lighten Up Your Mood

These days are tough — so remember to treat yourself!

No doubt about it: The last weeks have been a struggle for all of us. Plus, without a successful vaccination, things like social distancing, home offices, and restrictions will probably stay with us for a long time.

While the first three weeks in my office at home were surprisingly easy for me and I adjusted quite quickly to the uprising rules, I am slightly beginning to feel a bit moody.

Long gone are the days that I would wake up energetic and motivated to start the next day in my home office, all by myself, answering emails, and writing my doctoral thesis. Nowadays I like to sleep in until 7:30 a.m., then I have breakfast in front of the TV, and yes, sometimes I switch on my laptop no earlier than ten o’clock, still in my pajamas.

And even though I know I should not complain too much — I haven’t lost my job to the crisis, none of my relatives or friends have caught the disease and I am financially stable to survive this — on some days it is hard for me to keep a stable mood. And that’s okay.

When the depressing days are outdoing the good ones though, I try different methods to brighten up my mood.

Today, I want to share my best ideas and habits with you — they can all easily be integrated into a normal day in your home office and don’t take much time nor money.

1. Take a walk and pick fresh flowers along the way

Summer has arrived and finally, I was able to change my raincoat for some shirts and blouses. If you have spent all day at your desk and most of your days look the same, it is always nice to change the scenery and go outside.

I try to not plan my walks too much — I just put on my shoes, I download a podcast that interests me and off I go. Sometimes, I take a walk in the park, other times I stroll the streets and try to smile at people underneath my facial mask. Last week, I walked by a sunflower field that I didn’t even know existed! For 2$ I was able to pick five beautiful sunflowers that are still on my desk today, brightening up my mood every morning when I sit down to get stuff done.

2. Have a scoop of ice cream, while listening to your happy song list

I scream ice-cream! When days are getting warmer, it is time to stop by at your favorite ice-cream place to have a scoop of gelato.

For me, ice-cream is a total summer-thing and I don’t understand why some people would also go for ice-cream also on freezing winter days. Treat yourself with a scoop of your favorite flavor and walk around, listening to some happy songs. I did this last week and re-discovered a playlist with my most popular songs from last year — it already feels so long ago and brought back some happy memories.

3. Bake a cake for a friend

It always cheers me up to surprise someone I love — plus, I love baking! A while ago, I baked some fluffy chocolate chip muffins, wrapped them nicely, and put them in a basket along with some salty snacks, fresh fruits, and some flowers.

I put the cute little basket secretly in front of the door of my best friend’s apartment. After I returned home, I texted her to check her doorstep. She was super happy, which cheered me up for days (and also, of course, so did the extra muffins that I kept for myself).

4. Watch a movie with some nicely prepared snacks

During the pandemic, I have gotten into the habit of watching Netflix whenever I have a spare minute. Maybe it is the social distancing and I feel more comfortable with having my favorite series around while we are still forced to practice social distance (Did you know some people don’t feel lonely? I have read this amazing article on Medium which I could definitely relate to) — I don’t know.

Lately, I have tried to cut back my TV time a lot. My boyfriend and I came up with a list of movies we both wanted to see. Every Wednesday, we pick one of them, we make fresh popcorn (not the sticky microwave kind, but actual golden popcorn from the stove), we get some wine and we sit down together to watch a movie together. It is always cozy and comforts both of us.

5. Visit a pet store or shelter

Now, this one might be hard or even impossible because some shelters have contemporary closed their doors for visitors. You can inform yourself about your local shelters’ websites or give them a quick call. In my neighborhood, there is a super cute little shelter for cats and kittens only and they are always looking for volunteers helping them with the feeding of the little ones. If feeding a tiny kitten with a bottle of milk does not cheer you up, then I don’t know what will.

There are of course endless ideas on what you can do, even with the ongoing pandemic and the restrictions we are currently facing.

Just remember to treat yourself with something every now and then. Times are hard enough already. Even though you might feel like you are just sitting at home — you deserve a treat.

Take care of yourself. Stay active. Stay positive. Stay healthy.