We can definitely all get a bit down in the dumps sometimes or a bit sad without even really knowing why and it can be hard to pull ourselves out of it. I know I’ve done it; taken the tiniest little thing and made it seem like the end of the world and been down for days on end about it. It sucks but that’s life, it’s not perfect and neither are we. However, there is always something you can do to pick yourself up when you’re feeling low.

I’ve made a little list of things that I’ve found can help when you’re having a particularly down day. I do these things all the time when I’m feeling sad and although they may not miraculously alter your mood, they can definitely make you feel a bit more in control, a bit happier and a bit more comfortable.

Have a long shower or bath; I’ve found washing away the metaphorical dirt of a rubbish day or a rubbish mood can work wonders. You don’t even have to be smelly, just jump in the shower, have a good clean with some great smelling shower gel, have a little sing and forget about everything for half an hour.

Treat yourself; Because damn it gurl (or boy), you deserve it. It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive but treating yourself to something you want and not feeling guilty about it helps you remember that you are important too and just because you’re feeling rubbish, doesn’t mean you have to punish yourself.

Treat someone else; In complete contrast to my last post, when I feel down, if I treat someone else, it always cheers me up knowing I’ve made them happy. I used a website called Valued Opinions where you receive small amounts of money for doing surveys, then once you get enough money, you can claim a reward. I love this website as they do Topshop, Topman and Amazon vouchers and in all the time I’ve been using it, I don’t think I’ve ever got myself a voucher, they’re always for someone else.

Clean; I know not everyone likes to clean as much as I do (okay, nobody likes to clean as much as I do) but having a tidy up, a polish and a hoover and sometimes a sort out of your wardrobe/drawers can be incredibly therapeutic and by removing the clutter and the dirt, it tends to lift away a bit of the sadness.

Make a happy playlist; I have a happy playlist on my iPod and seriously, it does exactly what it says on the tin. Pick all your favourite happy, upbeat, completely ridiculous songs so you have one handy playlist ready in case of an emergency. My playlist consists of songs such as More Than a Feeling by Boston and Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

Read; Obviously this was going to be on here but there really isn’t anything better sometimes than curling up with a good book and blocking out everything for a while. Sometimes, when I’m feeling down or having a particularly rubbish phase, I’ll dig out the old favourites and re-read them.

Take Life Advice from Miranda Hart; Miranda is literally my spirit animal. This is going to sound weird but when I’m down, I love to watch Miranda or her stand up, not just because it’s funny but because she reminds me that it’s totally okay to be yourself, to be ridiculous and that there’s really no need to worry.

Bake or make something; Putting all your focus and attention on something rather than yourself or someone else can really get you out of your own head. Trying to make that cake or drawing or whatever the heck you’re making absolutely perfect. It’s also makes you feel brilliant afterwards when you’re looking at an, ahem, masterpiece!

Yoga; I literally couldn’t recommend yoga enough and it’s helped me through some really tough, anxious times in the past. If you’re like me and too scared to go to a class, there’s some amazing DVD’s you can buy and do at home. I do the Tara Lee Elements DVD’s and they’re fantastic. Tara is a wonderful, soothing teacher.

Make plans; Making plans and having something to look forward to always cheers me up. It doesn’t even have to be anything particularly life-altering. I have a 4 day weekend break booked for the end of October… an hours drive from where I live but I am so excited about it because it’s so nice to get away, just for a few days and relax and have a change of scenery. Book some tickets, book a holiday, plan a day out; whatever!

Listen to Reach for the Stars; I don’t know what it is about this bloody song but it always, always, always makes me feel better. I tend to just leave it on repeat when I need a pick me up.

Do you have anything to add to this list? What do you do when you’re having a down day to make yourself feel better? I’d love to know! And never, ever forget that I’ve got you and you’ve got me so…