We’ve all had those days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You wake up feeling a little off, something happens that puts you in a bad mood, someone irritates you, or perhaps you simply don’t feel like yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’re not necessarily going through anything major. You’re just\u2026 not in the mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes you need a little lift \u2014 something that can help you feel happier, calmer or simply distract you from whatever is bothering you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I thought I’d share 7 things you can try when you’re having one of those off days<\/strong>. These are little things that I personally find helpful, along with a few other ideas that might give you a quick mood boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, if you’re dealing with clinical depression or another long-term mental health condition, these simple tips aren’t a replacement for proper support or treatment. But for those occasional dips in mood or difficult days, hopefully some of these ideas will help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one might sound a little silly, but honestly, hug a baby!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a baby of your own, even better. My youngest is nearly five now, but she’s still my baby!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you don’t have a baby available, hug someone you love \u2014 or even cuddle a soft teddy bear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s actually a reason why hugging can make us feel better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we hug, cuddle or hold hands with someone, our bodies can release feel-good hormones including oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin<\/strong>. These are associated with feelings of happiness, relaxation and improved mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s also research suggesting that longer hugs can have a greater effect, with some research pointing to around six seconds as a useful benchmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So next time you’re feeling a little miserable, find someone you love and give them a proper hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just don’t stand there counting loudly to six because they might start wondering what’s going on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you don’t need anything complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You just need to watch something that makes you smile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, cute animal videos are an easy one. There is something about watching funny cats or adorable animals that can instantly put a smile on your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could watch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea is simply to give your brain something pleasant to focus on for a little while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re caught up in whatever has upset you, a few minutes of something funny or adorable can help break that cycle and give you a little mental reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one I probably overuse \u2014 even when I’m not feeling down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes a little treat can make you feel better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It could be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Sometimes it’s simply about giving yourself something small that you enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there’s a reason the phrase comfort eating<\/strong> exists. When we’re feeling down, it’s very easy to start eating more and more in an attempt to make ourselves feel better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So I wouldn’t recommend using food as your only coping mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a little treat in moderation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you just need that cup of tea and a little piece of chocolate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re feeling miserable, sometimes the best thing you can do is get out of the environment you’re sitting in<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go for a walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a look at the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch the sunrise or sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spend some time in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s something about being outdoors that can help put things into perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Going for a walk also gives you some gentle exercise and gets your blood circulating. If you’re walking somewhere like a park, you can look at the trees, flowers and everything around you instead of focusing on whatever was stressing you out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And there’s something quite humbling about looking at a beautiful sunset or standing outside and looking at the enormous sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can remind you that whatever you’re worrying about is only one small part of a much bigger world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, this tip works much better when the weather is nice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it’s absolutely freezing, pouring with rain and blowing a gale, you might come back from your walk feeling even worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So use your judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another really simple way to lift your mood is to watch something you already know makes you feel good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It could be your favourite TV show, a relaxing YouTube channel, a funny creator or an old favourite that you know will make you laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, watching relaxing vlogs can be a nice distraction when I’m not feeling great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The important thing is to choose something that actually makes you feel better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re already feeling down, maybe don’t sit down and watch a depressing documentary about murder, disasters and everything that’s wrong with the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose something comforting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something funny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something relaxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something that gives your brain a break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes all you need is a little distraction from the thoughts that are bringing you down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Muslims, this is a particularly important one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re feeling down, pick up the Quran and read it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn’t necessarily have to be a particular surah. You can read the stories, reflect on the verses and remind yourself about the purpose of this life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Quran itself is a source of healing, and reconnecting with Allah \ufdfb can bring a sense of peace and comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Life is temporary, and whatever difficulty we’re experiencing right now will also pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes when we’re caught up in our own problems, it can feel as though that particular situation is going to last forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading the Quran can help remind us of the bigger picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It gives us the opportunity to step away from our worries for a moment and reconnect with Allah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you’re not Muslim, you could still explore the Quran if you’re curious. You may find stories, lessons or ideas within it that speak to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re having a bad day, try thinking about something good that’s coming up in the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you’ve got a holiday booked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps there’s a wedding coming up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe there’s a family gathering, birthday, party or another event you’re looking forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’ve got a holiday coming up, start planning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at clothes you might wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Browse for things you might need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about the food you’re going to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at activities you might do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine yourself there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes having something positive to look forward to can give you a little boost and take your mind away from whatever is bothering you right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn’t have to be a huge event either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could simply plan a nice meal, a day out or something enjoyable you’re going to do at the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having something to look forward to can make a difficult day feel a little easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if all else fails, try writing down the things you’re grateful for<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This doesn’t mean that your problems aren’t real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn’t mean that you should ignore the things that are hurting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I know how frustrating it can be when you’re genuinely struggling and someone tells you, “Just be grateful.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re suffering, hearing that can feel incredibly dismissive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But gratitude can still be helpful when used alongside acknowledging how you’re actually feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a few minutes and write down some of the good things in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It could be something really simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes writing these things down can help us realise that although we may be struggling with something, our entire life isn’t necessarily bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There can be difficulties and<\/strong> blessings at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most powerful examples of patience and gratitude I’ve seen comes from the Palestinians in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have endured unimaginable suffering, yet there have been so many examples of people continuing to say Alhamdulillah<\/em> and recognising the blessings they still have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember hearing about a Palestinian doctor who had lost his wife and children, yet he was still showing incredible hospitality to someone visiting him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There have also been stories of children who had memorised the Quran and would lead their families in prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The level of patience, faith and gratitude shown by people experiencing such terrible circumstances is incredibly humbling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, that doesn’t mean we should compare our problems with someone else’s suffering or tell ourselves that we’re not allowed to feel upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our problems are still real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But sometimes these examples can help us appreciate the blessings that we do have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s an important distinction to make here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are little tips for those days when you’re feeling down, irritated, stressed or simply not yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They’re not a cure for depression or other mental health conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re experiencing persistent low mood, depression or another condition that is affecting your everyday life, please don’t feel as though you simply need to “cheer up” or try a few of these tips and everything will magically disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it’s much more complicated than that, and getting appropriate support is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, even when you’re struggling with something more serious, small comforting activities may sometimes provide a tiny bit of relief alongside whatever professional or personal support you’re receiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think the main thing I’ve taken from all of this is that sometimes we don’t need to completely change our lives to feel a little better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We might just need a small reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A cup of tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A funny video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A favourite show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few minutes with the Quran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something nice to look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or a reminder of the blessings we already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n None of these things can magically solve all of life’s problems, but they might help you get through a difficult afternoon or turn a bad mood around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And sometimes that’s enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those are my 7 ways to feel better instantly<\/strong> \u2014 or at least a little bit better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’d love to know what you do when you’re having a bad day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you go for a walk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a cup of tea?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch something funny?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Call someone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bake?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pray?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or perhaps you have a completely different method that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Share your ideas because you never know who might be reading them and need a little pick-me-up too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And remember, it’s okay to have an off day. We don’t have to feel happy and positive every minute of every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes we just need to give ourselves a little kindness, take a breath and do something that helps us feel a bit better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We’ve all had those days. You wake up feeling a little off, something happens that puts you in a bad mood, someone irritates you, or perhaps you simply don’t feel like yourself. You’re not necessarily going through anything major. You’re just\u2026 not in the mood. Sometimes you need a little lift \u2014 something that can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=283"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":285,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283\/revisions\/285"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sistersbyshamsa.club\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}1. Give Someone a Hug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Watch Something Cute or Funny<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
3. Have a Little Treat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
4. Change Your Scenery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Watch Your Favourite Show or Creator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Read the Quran<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Think About Something You Have to Look Forward To<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bonus: Make a Gratitude List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Gratitude Even During Difficult Times<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What If You’re Struggling With Depression?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes We Just Need a Little Reset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Do You Do When You’re Feeling Down?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n