Taking part in positive activities is one of the easiest, most effective things you can do to change your mood. When you do something pleasurable, the activity actually has the power to make you feel better. And feeling better can lead to more positive thoughts and a healthier perspective.
So, what are positive activities? Ideally, they’re inexpensive, quick, and easy because you want to fit them into your daily routine.
They can be physical, like going for a walk or cleaning your home. They can be social, like attending a family BBQ or movie with a friend. They can be something you used to like or a new discovery. They can be things on your to-do list that really need to get done. And they can range from challenging to relaxing. For an extra boost, it helps if the activity is something you truly look forward to, savor while you’re doing it, and happily remember afterwards.
Positive activities can be anything really, as long as they bring you joy or make you feel like you’re accomplishing something.
To find out which ones are positive for you, pay attention to the activities you list in MoodHacker and how they make you feel. Eventually, you’ll see a pattern emerge, showing which actions help your mood. The more of those actions you do, the better you’ll feel.
Extra Credit: How to Anticipate Awesomeness (Even When You’re Down)
- Plan a positive activity.
- Use visual cues to remind yourself of the activity (e.g., write it on a calendar, put a photo on the fridge, post the event on Facebook).
- Focus on what’s positive about the activity and what you’re looking forward to (e.g., laughing with a friend, seeing your favorite team play in person, the bliss of a spa treatment).
Extra Credit: How to Savor Activities (When You Need A Little Lift)
- Be mindful of moments that feel good. Notice the details, focus on your senses, and bask in the positive feelings.
- Purposely look for “feel good” moments in ordinary events (e.g., watching trees sway in the wind outside your window, feeling the warm sun on your face, holding the door for someone who appreciates it).
- Remember these “feel good” moments for future use and recall them whenever you want a boost.