How To Stop Being Miserable — 15 Tips That Actually Help

How To Stop Being Miserable — 15 Tips That Actually Help

If you’re feeling miserable, you might think that your mood’s never gonna change or your life’s never gonna improve. But that’s not true! You can start making changes right now with what you have at your disposal. It’s a myth to think that you can’t improve your surroundings or situations. You’re more powerful than you think. So, here are 15 effective ways to stop being miserable.

1. Don’t Hide Under The Duvet.

If you’re depressed, it’s natural to want to hide out until you feel better. But that could make you feel worse. Although some time to yourself is good so you can relax without feeling the pressure of socializing, it doesn’t help to isolate yourself. You should surround yourself with people who uplift you and remind you of your worth.

2. Choose Positive People.

Don’t hang out with people who are bitter and depressed themselves. They’ll pull you further into that black hole. Instead, seek out cheerful, happy-go-lucky people who will remind you that things will get better. They might even motivate you by injecting you with a bit of positive energy!

3. Get To The Root Of Your Issues — Sweetn Can Help.

If you find that you’re miserable largely because you’re carting around unprocessed baggage, now’s the time to work through it all so that you can move on with a clean slate. Our sister site, Sweetn, offers research-backed tips, tricks, and advice to completely rejig your love life by using the power of your own mind in some really innovative ways. Check them out here.

4. Cheer Yourself Up.

You might feel like you can’t do anything to make yourself feel better, but there are little things you can do to boost your mood a bit. Listen to a comedy podcast or spend some time snuggling your cat. Read your favorite book or go window-shopping online. It might be tough to feel interested in activities, but try them for short bursts of time.

5. Stay Off Social Media.

If you’re bored and depressed, you might think scrolling on social media will give you something to do, but it’s a bad idea. It can make you feel more depressed because it displays toxic positivity, which is when people only show the good and neglect the bad, providing an unrealistic ideal. You don’t need that RN.

6. Remember The Good Times.

Sometimes, when you feel like you’re not going to have good times in the future, it can help to think about previous good times you’ve experienced. Maybe it was fun times you had with your friends in school or vacations you went on with your family. Although you don’t want to remain in the past, happy memories can help you boost good feelings in the present.

7. Think About What Used To Excite You.

If you’re feeling miserable, chances are you’re not getting excited about the things you used to, such as your interests and hobbies. Try to remember how they made you feel so that you can spark that interest in them again. This might not happen right away, but it’s a good start to loving your own company and feeling excited about life.

8. Silence Your Inner Mean Girl.

If you’re always telling yourself you’re an idiot or loser, you’re going to believe that and it’s going to keep you stuck in the darkness. Check your thoughts, because they determine your reality. So, the next time your inner critic tells you mean stuff about yourself, replace it with something more positive. For example, if you say, “I’m such an idiot,” you could replace it with, “I tried my best.”

9. Start A Gratefulness List.

Seriously, you’ve got more to be happy about than you think! Okay, so happiness is an inside job, but noticing how lucky you are in life can shift your mood. Make a quick list about things you’re grateful for, like a roof over your head, delicious food, amazing friends, and so on. Within minutes, you’ll have a really long list and feel blessed.

10. Reach Out To Someone Else.

Sometimes, the best way to get out of the darkness in your head is to do something for someone else. This will bring some light into your life and make you feel good. Help a friend who’s going through a tough time or meet up with a senior relative who’s lonely. Or, volunteer at a local soup kitchen to help those in need.

11. De-Clutter Your Space.

Cleaning up your home might be the last thing you wish to do right now, but there’s something cool about cleaning your surroundings. It makes you feel de-cluttered in your mind. When things are more organized, you’ll feel more in control of you life. Grab that feather duster!

12. Do A Mini Self-Care Routine.

Feeling miserable is usually tied to a lack of energy, so you probably don’t feel like going to the gym or doing a yoga session RN. That’s okay. Do one small thing that makes you feel good. It can be a tiny task, such as giving yourself a manicure or using a face scrub. Take care of yourself in small ways and it’ll make you feel comforted and loved.

13. Boost Your Confidence.

Doing a small task can help you to jumpstart your confidence, which can make you feel motivated to change your future. So, do some writing or painting if you used to love being creative, or start learning a new language on an app. You’ll feel happy in the moment while possibly learning a new skill.

14. Remember That Nothing Stays The Same.

When you only see doom and gloom around you, it can help you to remember that nothing stays the same. Whatever you’re feeling or going through RN will change, so your feelings of misery won’t stick around forever. Reminding yourself of this can help you to feel more positive and less hopeless about your future.

15. Sharpen Your Positivity.

When you’re miserable, people might tell you to be positive, which can make you feel infuriated because you can’t always flip a switch on your mindset. But, you can learn to be more positive. Start small. Replace three negative thoughts with positive ones. Try to visualize some positive manifestations for the future. Over time, you’ll find it easier to choose the sunnier side of life.

16. Get Walking.

If you’re at home thinking negative thoughts or feeling down, it’s like you’re a truck with its wheels stuck in the mud. You need a change of scenery! Take yourself out of the situation for a while by going for a walk around the block or in a nearby park. Spending a bit of time outside can help you reset your mood and distract yourself.

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Giulia Simolo is a writer from Johannesburg, South Africa with a degree in English Language and Literature. She has been working as a journalist for more than a decade, writing for sites including AskMen, Native Interiors, and Live Eco. You can find out more about her on Facebook and LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter @GiuliaSimolo.
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