10 Ways to Feel Better When Your Mind Feels Off

You know that feeling where nothing feels right?

You feel stuck but you don’t even know where. Maybe everything and everyone is irritating you and pissing you off a little bit. Maybe looking in the mirror makes you feel like garbage, your clothes don’t feel right, and you just don’t feel comfortable in your own skin. Maybe the things you normally love just feel “bleh” and you can’t seem to focus on anything, even things that should be fun.

Do you know this feeling?

For me, I just finished my freshman year of college, and it was objectively the hardest year of my life. There was a whole lot of good, but there was also a lot of heartache, mental slumps, and feeling stuck.

The good news is, mental slumps pass eventually, but while it’s happening, it feels like it may never go away.

I am by no means a psychologist, but these are 10 things I have found that make those mental slumps more bearable for me. Things that always make me feel a little lighter and a little closer to feeling like myself again.

1. Go Outside

Just go outside. It doesn’t matter what you do. You could go on a 10 mile hike or just lay on the grass with your eyes closed. You can take a nap or take your work outside. You can exercise, do something creative, or just sit there and be.

It doesn’t matter what you do. Just being outside can make a world of difference.

Feel the sun on your skin and stare at the sky, the trees, flowers, the green grass, or anything else that grabs your attention. Let the sun warm your soul and give something beatiful for your mind to focus on and love.

Even if it’s just for 5 minutes, go outside. Sometimes it feels like a chore to leave the comfort of your inside space, but just try it and see what happens.

Maybe it will make you feel better. Even if it’s just a little bit better, why not try it?

2. Create Something

We live in a world where there are a million and one opportunities to create.

Here are a few ideas of things you can create or ways to be creative:

• Paint
• Sidewalk chalk
• Color in a coloring book
• Jewelry
• Frienship bracelets
• Outfits to wear
• Makeup
• Photography
• Making and/or editing videos
• Making lists of whatever you want
• Re-arranging your room
• Building something

Being creative is so, so good for your mind.

The best part is that you don’t have to be good at what you’re doing to feel the positive effects.

You could be on the list of the world’s worst painters, but you might love the feeling of the brush on the canvas. Your painting might turn into a blended rainbow of brown, but before that, it might be beautiful to watch each color go on the canvas.

Just let your mind flow and be creative with zero pressure to create something that is objectively good.

The word “creative” is often associated with colorful, extravagant art. But really, being creative can mean whatever you want.

3. Listen to Happy Music

It’s a pretty universal and stereotypical thing to listen to sad music when you’re sad. It’s so tempting, but in my experience, listening to happy music is way more effective at making me feel better.

Here are some happy songs that just might make you feel a little better the next time you’re sad or just not feeling very happy:

• Sugar Magnolia- Grateful Dead
• Don’t Worry Be Happy- Bobby McFerrin
• Three Little Birds- Bob Marley & The Wailers
• I Can See Clearly Now- Jimmy Cliff
• Good Day Sunshine- The Beatles
• Upside Down- Jack Johnson
• The Sound Of Sunshine- Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
• Wildflowers- Tom Petty
• Jack & Diane- John Mellencamp
• My Girl- The Temptations
• Twist And Shout- The Beatles
• Eight Days A Week- The Beatles
• Good Vibrations- The Beach Boys

Just to name a few.

4. Give Your Space a Makeover

Look around your living space. If it even remotely resembles a dumpster, it’s time to clean.

When you’re living in a pit, it can be really hard to be productive, feel good, and do all the things you want to do.

If the thought of cleaning this dump sounds exahuting, just start with a little bit.

On the other hand, if your space isn’t a disaster, maybe consider moving some stuff around to make it feel fresh and new.

You know when you re-do your room decoartions or re-arrange your room and it feels like a brand new room? Do that.

Also consider getting rid of stuff you don’t like or don’t use that make your space feel crowded. Get rid of clothes you don’t like or don’t fit right and anything else you don’t really care if you have it around or not.

5. Get Ready in a Way That Makes You Feel Good

Go shower so you feel clean. Put on an outfit the reminds you of how beautiful you are. If you enjoy doing makeup, do your make up. Do your hair in a way you love. If you like doing your nails or having them done, do that.

Just get yourself ready in a way that makes you feel good.

Put on a really extravagant outfit, a comfy outfit, or even a swimsuit. Whatever you want, just get yourself dressed.

6. Put Your Phone Away For a Little While

This might be the most classic “solution” someone could give you when you’re feeling off, but what if it could make you feel a little better.

It’s not forever, and I doubt your phone is the sole cause of why you’re feeling off, but just try it anyway.

Set a timer on your phone from anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour (or more). Whatever you’re comfortable with. After you set the timer, put your phone away somewhere and don’t look at it again until the timer goes off.

In the mean time, do literally anything else. Do anything on this list. You can stay in your room or wherever you’re at, or go somewhere else. Do something creative, clean, read a book, or maybe just lay on the ground.

If it’s silent and you don’t have your phone to turn to, it might feel a little uncomfortable. Your mind might wander which you might not want, but eventually it will be still.

7. Move Your Body

If you are physically able to, sometimes exericing and moving your body can make you feel much better mentally.

When you’re feeling down, the thought of exercising sounds horrendous sometimes.

Once you drag yourself out and make your self move a bit, I can almost guarantee you will feel a little better.

It does not have to be anything crazy, it can be as simple as a quick walk. Whatever you choose to do, just move your body and see if it makes your mind feel better.

8. Make a Bucket List

This is one of my favorite things to do when I’m not feeling great mentally.

Make a bucket list of everything you want to do in your life. Include things you want do in the near future, as well as everything you want to do in the grand scheme of your life.

By doing this, you’re reminding yourself of every exciting thing you have to look forward to. It takes your mind off of whatever is bumming you out and instantly gets you excited for the future.

Bucket lists are the perfect way to remind yourself of all the good coming your way when you feel stuck in life.

Here are some bucket list ideas:

• Spring Bucket List: 20 Things to Do Before Summer
• 100 Things to Add to Your Bucket List
• 6 Things You Can Cross Off Your Bucket List Today

9. Do Something You Used to Love

Watch a show or movie from your childhood, color in a coloring book, hula hoop, jump rope, do sidewalk chalk, or anything else that you used to love.

It can be something from your childhood or even just a few years ago.

Sometimes when you’re feeling off, doing something comforting and familiar can make you feel much better.

10. Try Something New

So this is the opposite of the last one, but what if you tried something new?

What’s that one thing you’ve always wanted to try or learn how to do, but you haven’t gotten around to it for whatever reason?

Maybe it’s learning to play guitar, skateboarding, learning a new language, or seeing a place you’ve always wanted to see.

Trying something new, seeing a place you’ve never seen, or learning something new is fun, exciting, and challenging for your brain- all really great thing to make your mind feel better.

Even if you’re feeling great right now, I think you will still like these. Save this post for the next time you’re in a funk or for a day you just want some extra peace.

I hope this was helpful for you, wherever you’re at mentally.

This feeling will pass. You’re doing amazing.