When the sky outside is gloomy, I tend to mirror her. For the first few days (or sometimes hours) that she sticks around, I generally feel however I would normally feel on any given day. After a while, her persistent gloominess gets under my skin and gives me a serious case of the frowny faces. Sometimes it’s really hard to shake that feeling of oppressive gloom weighing on you because the sky is sad. Here are some tips and things I do to cheer myself up on my bluest gloomy-sky days.
Sing!!! Singing can be a great stress-reliever and can elevate your mood, especially if you’re doing it with sweet friends!! Bonus points if you’re jamming out to throwback faves, scream-singing in a car, and/or simultaneously having a dance party with your besties and laughing so hard you almost can’t sing.
Watch your favorite TV show or movie!!! Wrap yourself in your softest blanket, make the biggest pillow fort your tiny dorm will allow, load up on your go-to snacks and drinks, and binge-watch to your heart’s content. The happiness of your favorite characters (or laughing at their embarrassing moments) is sure to brighten anyone’s mood.
Work out!!! Exercising releases a flood of feel-good chemicals into your brain (hi, endorphins!) that will leave you feeling energized and rejuvenated. Grab your workout buddy and hit the gym!
Help others or volunteer!!! When I’m in a bad mood or a funk I just can’t seem to snap out of, I go out and volunteer at local animal shelters or ask my friends if they’re struggling with something I can help them out with. I’ve found that volunteering and giving my time always brightens my mood because it feels like I’m doing something good, and that feels good. Get out there and volunteer, ladies!!! (Women’s centers are a great place to start!)
Cry it out!!! As sad as it sounds, crying is an incredibly cathartic experience and often makes you feel better when you’re done—seriously, there’s research that shows crying makes you feel better; it’s literally purging your body of sadness. (Don’t believe me? Here’s an article about it! https://www.elitedaily.com/life/always-feel-relieved-good-long-cry/2050762) So grab some tissues and let those tears FLOW.
READ A BOOK!!! Reading is one of my top-favorite-of-all-time-ever things to do, so this one is a no-brainer. Also, getting lost in a world that isn’t your own, getting sucked into a life you don’t live, is invigorating and exciting; I always feel mega-inspired after finishing a good book. Curl up on the couch (or lay upside down on it) and get lost in something gooood!
Spend time with friends!!! Seeing people you love is a sure-fire way to put a big ol’ smile on your face and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Hang out with your bestest gal pals, and complete the day with bingeable snacks and PLENTY of tissues, because we know you’ll be laughing so hard you’ll cry.
On dark and stormy days, it can feel impossible to be happy and hopeful. Hopefully these tricks and ideas can help get you out of your rainy day funk and into a sunshiny-er one—and hey, the sky may even mirror you and let the sun come out and play!