We are all prone to bad days and bad moods, and sometimes we just don’t know how to get out of our slumps. When you feel like this, it’s best to remember the little things we overlook. Take a look at this list of the ten best things ever to help you cheer up a little bit!
1. Listening to your favorite song on repeat
Some say listening to the same song over and over again can ruin it, but really, there’s nothing like belting out your jam at the top of your lungs. Whether it’s an upbeat techno beat or a mellow indie song, everyone has that one song that they can never really get over, and that’s when the repeat button becomes your best friend!
2. When the wind blows your hair back
If you have long hair like me, you know it’s not always fun to have it all around your face. That’s why a nice spring breeze is one of the best refreshers. The sudden rush of the cool air pushes your hair back and gets rid of the stuffiness on the back of your neck. It’s a great feeling, and you get the added bonus of feeling like Pocahontas did during “Colors of the Wind.”
3. The first sip of a cold soda
Maybe it’s just me, but there’s nothing quite like the sound of a soda can being opened—except for taking the first sip of that soda. As a Pepsi gal, I love the first sugary, bubbly, sharp taste of the cold soda. After a long day or just as a companion to your lunch, the first sip of a soda takes you away from the hustle and bustle of college life and lets you take a minute to just breathe.
4. Checking things off of a to-do list
I’m usually buried in to-do lists, so every time I get to check off another task is a small victory. Checking off one responsibility after another makes you feel more productive. Small victories like that are great, especially when you feel like you might crack under all the stress.
5. Laughing until you cry
It has been scientifically proven that laughter lowers your stress hormones and even calms your body down. So, laughing really is the best medicine, and there are few things in this world that can make you laugh so much that you cry. Whether it’s your favorite comedian or just the latest meme sweeping the internet, it’s always fun to find something to make you laugh.
6. Waiting for a new episode of your favorite show to come out
Binge watching has its charms, but a whole week of waiting leading up to the next episode of your favorite show entails so much more excitement. What’s going to happen? Will there be an answer in the next episode or just another cliffhanger? After a week of these questions swirling around your head, there’s no better feeling than to finally channel all the jittery anticipation into the next part of the plot!
7. Having a crush
Crushes are rough. They’re frustrating and exhausting and sometimes painful. But it’s impossible not to be happy while having a crush. The rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms that come with seeing or talking to your crush are secretly exciting. Having a crush gives you the chance to get a grip on all the things you admire about the other person, and it gives your heart the chance to get a little crazy, which—contrary to popular belief—is good sometimes.
8. Turning the page of a really good book
All bookworms will agree, turning the page of a really good book brings an insane amount of joy. Pushing further into the plot and letting yourself get lost in the story is a refreshing break from all the stresses of reality. Life is tough, and sometimes it’s nice to escape, and as you keep turning, it’s easy to find yourself in the midst of an amazing new world.
9. Closing all the browser tabs after finishing an essay
Essays are both physically and mentally exhausting, so it’s always a relief when you can finally close all the tabs you were frantically switching between. Though writing papers is a habitual activity for college students, the process is still draining. So, being able to close all the browsers and finally submit that paper you wrote in the last few hours (procrastination is also a habitual activity in college) is probably the greatest victory of the week.
10. Wrapping yourself into a blanket burrito
As an expert taker of naps, I have studied various forms of blanket use, and I have found that the blanket burrito is the most effective use of the blanket. The blanket burrito offers maximum warmth and is one of the greatest comforts this world can offer. Whether you’re hiding from responsibilities or relaxing after a stressful week, the blanket burrito offers great repose.
Life has its ups and downs, and we all need a break sometimes. ‘Love the little things’ is a total cliche, but there is truth behind the common saying. The things that seem so regular and so routine to us are the things we crave the most when we are struggling. This list is what I turn to in order to cure my worst moods, but there are definitely more things out there worth being happy about. You just have to keep your eyes open for them.