How to Cheer Yourself Up: 21 Ways to Find Your Inner Happiness

We all get down sometimes, but the good news is that the cure isn’t as difficult as you think. Here is how to cheer yourself up and smile again.

Being happy is sometimes easier said than done. Happiness is not a continuum, but rather a series of ups followed by downs. The key is to have more ups than downs for a happy and full life. Knowing how to cheer yourself up may not be as complicated as you think. You may not need a life overhaul, major change, or a total revamp… or you just may.

How to cheer yourself up – 21 ways to fill your life with happiness

Even the happiest among us go through times when we need some cheering up. If you are someone who is going through a rough time and you need something to make your heart soar, these are 21 things that will do the trick.

#1 Go for a walk. Natural human drugs can make anyone feel better. Hormones are released into the blood, and they signal the brain to feel happiness. Serotonin, a major mood enhancer, is released when you exercise and get the heart racing. Therefore, going for just a ten-minute walk can chase the blues away and have you feeling better instantly. [Read: How to be happy in life and live life to the fullest]

#2 Hit a movie by yourself. Most people think that you have to go to the movies with someone else to have a good time. Nothing is better than hitting a blockbuster by yourself in the middle of the day when you want to know how to cheer yourself up. Play hooky or skip out a little early from work to watch that silly, stupid movie to brighten your afternoon.

#3 Call an old friend. We all have “that” person in our life who can make us smile and cheer us up. If you are feeling down, pick up the phone and reconnect. Sometimes all it takes is a couple of minutes to bring your soul back to good. Knowing there is someone out there who can still make you feel good about you is golden.

#4 Invite a friend to happy hour. Nothing can erase a bad day more than a good cocktail with someone at happy hour. The best part about it is that you can get your buzz on and still be home in time to get a good night’s rest. Cheering yourself up works against itself if you wake up feeling worse the next day. [Read: I feel lonely – 30 ways to connect and overcome feelings of loneliness]

#5 Play hooky. Whether it is going to the movies, or just not getting out of bed and hanging out in your pajamas, playing hooky is an excellent way tip for how to cheer yourself up. Not having any responsibility for just a day, or even an afternoon, can lighten anyone’s spirits!

#6 Just smile. There are specific muscles in your face that trigger emotions. Even if you are feeling down, faking it by smiling can literally turn things around. Simply smiling will trigger the release of mood-enhancers that will give you just a little boost to make you feel better. [Read: 12 steps to change your life and find your happiness]

#7 Sit in the sunshine. There is a connection between your mood and your exposure to the sun. If you are low in Vitamin D, it can mess with your happiness. If you don’t want to worry about sunscreen, it only takes about ten minutes for your body to absorb enough to make you happy. Just make sure that your skin is exposed. Otherwise, you can’t soak in the rays, literally.

#8 Do yoga. Perhaps your block to happiness is a lack of flow of chi energy. Yoga can get your blood pumping, loosen up your muscles, and make you feel more connected to the world around you. In a world guided by cell phones and social media, quieting it all down and finding your inner peace can help you re-focus and find your happy face.

#9 Volunteer. Nothing is a better if you want to know how to cheer yourself up than to volunteer. Making someone else feel good makes you feel incredible. It can also help to put your own insignificant problems into perspective. Volunteering to help someone else in need is an excellent way to find the cheer that lies within.

#10 Pay it forward. Paying someone’s toll charge, their admission in line, or their two items of groceries can bring you internal bliss. The little bit it will cost you will gain you an abundance of goodwill and cheer.

#11 Splurge on something you have been wanting *AKA retail therapy*. Sure, we all need to save for a rainy day. But, everyone once in a while, an impulse buy can be better than a drug. If you are feeling a little down, retail therapy is the best way to lift your inner peace and make you feel like things are doable again. [Read: 13 happy things you need for a perfectly happy life]

#12 Go for a hike. If you are close to a hiking trail, strap on your shoes and hit the trails. Not only will the endorphins make you feel better, getting your heart rate up will help stimulate your mood-enhancers to make you feel better all over. Also, reconnecting with nature will give you a better sense of purpose and peace when you are feeling low.

#13 Take a bike ride. Nothing but you and the open road is another great tip for how to cheer yourself up. Make a goal or don’t, just hop on your bike and see where takes you. If you have a favorite spot, bike there and sit awhile.

#14 Order takeout. Pizza or Chinese food are an excellent way to drown your sorrows and make you feel better. One of the best comfort foods out there, pizza, can cheer anyone up. The best part is that you can let them bring it to you while you watch your favorite Netflix marathon.

#15 Watch a baby or kitten YouTube video. I’m sorry… there is seriously nothing that can make you feel happier or cheer up your day more than watching a baby laugh or a cat do something stupid. YouTube is one of the best healthy highs you can find. With millions of movies to choose from, there is no shortage of feel-good videos to lift you up. [Read: 16 things you need to give up to have a happier life]

#16 Adopt a pet. What can cheer someone up more than finding something that needs them and loves them unconditionally? A pet is not only something that will cheer you up, but studies show that people who own pets are healthier all the way around, both mentally and physically.

It also will get you out of the house, which can lead to meeting new people and getting some exercise and fresh air. A good thing all the way around, try finding a pet that needs your home as much as you do the company and cheer. [Read: How to make new friends as an adult – 15 ways to do it right]

#17 Flirt. Feeling a little down about yourself? Flirting is a great tip when it comes to knowing how to cheer yourself up – it is one of the best ways to get someone to make you feel good about being you.

If you have been with someone who hasn’t noticed you much, had someone dump you, or you just need to know that you still “got it,” flirting is an excellent way to find the cheer underneath.

#18 Change your sheets. I know it doesn’t sound all that awesome, but changing your bedding is an excellent tip to cheer yourself up. Climbing into a fresh and nice-smelling bed is a great way to not only make your night more restful, but to wake up feeling much more cheery and spry. [Read: How to feel happy – 13 proven strategies for instant happiness]

#19 Clean your apartment or house. Okay, there is absolutely nothing fun about cleaning your house. But, sometimes your apartment can start to mimic your brain. If things have been a little chaotic and overwhelming, then it may be spilling out to your house. Gaining a little perspective and control can help you to feel better and pick yourself up from the dumps.

#20 Spend some time with a child. Find the inner you and the happiness of being unencumbered by spending time with a small person. They can help you to see life in a whole new light. Little kids don’t need much to turn their world around, or to find their smile.

They can make you laugh and remind you that life doesn’t always have to be so serious. Borrow a friend’s child or visit your niece or nephew. Just the look on their face when they see you is sometimes cheery enough. [Read: 25 memorable life lessons to perfect your life]

#21 Do something you are good at in front of others. If you feel like you just can’t seem to get ahead at work, or do anything right, doing something you are good at in front of others can make you feel accomplished. An instant self-esteem boost, sometimes it just takes some boasting wind to make you feel all better.

Do a 5k if they are a breeze for you, or hit the karaoke bar to show everyone what a good voice you have. You know what your talents are, so show them off to make you feel cheerful.

[Read: The rules of life – 22 secrets to never be unhappy again]

It is totally normal to feel down at times, but the good news is that picking yourself up is pretty simple. With these tips for how to cheer yourself up, you’ll bring that smile back in no time.

The post How to Cheer Yourself Up: 21 Ways to Find Your Inner Happiness is the original content of LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships.