We all have days when we feel down and like we just want to dive back under the covers until the day is done, but there are reasons we can't do that. So, what can we do? Grit our teeth and get on with it?
Why should we when there are sure-fire ways to lift our mood when things start to get us down, because when life can't stop to accommodate our feelings we have to try and change our feelings.
Everybody Smile
Heard the saying smile and the whole world smiles with you? It's true. Just the act of smiling can make us and others around us feel better -
It's hard not to respond positively to someone who's smiling.
Smiling isn't just something we learn in the same way that we learn to read and write (look at how babies smile and laugh without any coaxing or teaching), its pre-programmed behaviour. We're all born with it.
The chemical that smiling produces in our brain, endorphins, induces a sense of well being, giving us a sense of pleasure, peace and well-being. Try it and see.
Kiss those Worries Away
When was the last time you kissed someone; really kissed someone? Kissing relieves tension. And a passionate kiss is a great way to relax.
"When your mouth is in a kissing position, you're almost smiling and, as our emotions and body language are so closely linked, it's almost impossible to smile and feel tense at the same time," says stress consultant, Michelle Kay Mcnabb.
"Also, your breathing becomes deeper and your eyes close when you kiss in the way that you do when you relax. It's a perfect way to shut out the world."
But please don't try it on the boss.
Have some Chocolate
You may be trying to cut down, but chocolate can be a lifesaver especially when you're feeling blue. Put simply chocolate makes you happy -
The cocoa in chocolate contains theobromine a chemical related to caffeine, to give you that coffee effect.
The sugar in chocolate releases serotonin a brain chemical related to a positive sense of well-being.
The smooth, rich taste of chocolate and sometimes the fillings provides sensory pleasure to the taste buds.
FACT: Did you know eating chocolate releases the same chemicals in your brain that are created from being in love? Endorphin lovers rejoice!
Check out a happy website
What makes you smile? Go and find it on the Internet.
Feeling Happy has details of what makes people happy as well as happy stories and how to work with insane people. Hey isn't that your life?
If it's jokes you want log on to Jokes 2000.. The site is billed as "your source for instant laughter and endless fun." Or try The Jokes where you can buy a Moonie to get back at that annoying someone who cut you off in the parking lot. You don't need to buy one, but just reading about him will be a hoot.
Being down means slouching and letting your facial muscles sag, but what happens if we sit up straight and smile? We feel better already. Lollie takes that into account and tells you how to be happy as opposed to depressed by giving you physiological and mental exercises. "If you"ve been depressed for a while this can look like I'm making light of what you're going through,' heralds the website.
Carry around a pair of funny glasses and a fake moustache
Yes really. Well, let's face it how can you fail to laugh when you look so ridiculous?
Go over your favourite song in your head
Is there a song that makes you smile the moment you hear it - perhaps because it has a happy memory attached? Or one that makes you just feel like dancing? Sing it in your head. Hum it under your breath if you want. Who cares if anyone hears you and thinks your crazy? They're just jealous that right at this moment you don't care what other people think when they do.
Revisit your funniest moment
Think of the last time that you laughed so much that your sides ached. What happened? Think of how trivial life seemed at that moment. All of the worries went out of your head as you laughed until you cried.
Fill your head with happy thoughts
Remember the first time that your child walked? Your team's Cup Final win? When that guy/girl you liked asked you out? Go back to that moment. Where were you? How did you feel? Imagine that your back there. You feel better now, don't you?
Decide to treat yourself
Is there something you want to buy, but told yourself that you couldn't justify buying it? It needn't be something big. Was it an item of clothing or concert tickets or a holiday? It could even be a cake that you saw in the shop window that you wouldn't let yourself buy a new book by your favourite author.
Think of your proudest moment
What is the one thing that made you so proud of yourself? Did you stand up to a bully? Did you pass your exams/get your first job/ win promotion/win a competition? Imagine that it's happened again. Whatever it was it made you actually give yourself a pat on the back that most of us rarely do.
