- Make faces. There's something called the "facial feedback hypothesis", which says that whatever face you make will affect how you feel. Usually, it works the other way around. If you're grouchy, you scowl; if you're happy, you smile. However, this works both ways. If you want to feel happy and cheerful, force yourself to smile. Hold that expression for 10 seconds. Repeat as needed. It's almost like engaging the "smile muscles" activates the "happy section" of your brain associated with smiling.
r crazy, do it privately. - Sing and dance. Although it hasn't been proven, there might be a "body feedback hypothesis" that will help you fell a little more confident. Hide out in your room, put on a happy song, and dance and sing along like you mean it. If you don't know the words to a song, look up the lyrics and read them as you sing or make up your own lyrics as you go along. For your dancing, do a silly novelty dance like the robot, chicken dance, moonwalk or the macarena.
- The key with this step is to let loose. The wackier, the better. Even if you feel awful, just pretend you're an obnoxiously happy person and you'll improve your mood by several notches.
- Watch something funny. Put on a funny movie or a stand-up comedy special. Seeing and listening to jokes often makes a person feel better.
Put It in Perspective
- Meditate. In this case, it's not about the crossed legs, candles or mantras. It's about becoming aware of your thoughts so that they don't control you. Imagine your thoughts are being displayed on an electronic scroll screen. Watch the thoughts go by and don't judge them. You'll probably observe the same thoughts repeating themselves like a broken record. If you meditate in this way long and often enough, you'll notice the repetitive thoughts dropping off on their own because you're not acting on them; you're just observing them.
- Be thankful. Everyone has something to be grateful for. Make a list of the good things that have happened to you. Think of how life could be worse, and flip the thought process to recognize what you do have. If you're flunking in school, think about how you're at the beginning of the term and not the end, or that you even have a chance to go to school. Get a notebook and a pen, and write down all the good things that you have. Revisit this list when you are feeling negative.
- Forgive. In addition to being thankful, it is also good practice to forgive those who have hurt you in the past. Sit in a quiet place with your eyes closed and concentrate on the people you want to forgive. Imagine you are sitting in a circle with those who have done you harm. See their faces in your mind and take turns concentrating on each one of them individually. When you really feel connected to one of them, say out loud, "I forgive you". Ideally, this routine is also ended by forgiving yourself for things in your life that you regret or cannot control. The purpose of this exercise is to create serenity with feelings of peace and renewal.
- Note that you don't forgive others for their benefit (or because they deserve it); it's for your benefit so you can put the past behind you and move on.
- Accept. This concept, which is central to eastern philosophies like Buddhism, is based on the idea that the world is perfect just the way it is. There is much around us that isn't perfect and that's okay. We can just accept this state of affairs and decide that we don't need our life to be perfect in order for us to cheer up.
- Imagine. Close your eyes and think of a place that makes you happy. After that, think of your bad mood as an item, pick it up and put it in the trash can.
Other Common Ways to Cheer Up
- Cheer someone else up. There's an idea that floats around many New Age circles which says if you want something, give it sincerely to someone else. If you can make someone else happy, why can't you make yourself happy? Ask the people around you how they are doing. Listen to them. and try to find a way to make them feel better. You'll draw your attention away from your own negativity and in doing away with theirs, you'll probably get rid of yours too.
- Hug someone. Hugs release endorphins. Find someone to give you a hug, even if it's a random stranger. Random strangers are surprisingly open to giving hugs in many cultures.
- Take a power nap. Although tiredness or exhaustion might not be what put you in a rut, it can certainly push you further down. Sometimes a nap can function like a "second morning," similar to pushing the reset button on electronics. Once you get up, take a shower or at least wash your face to make it feel like a fresh start.
- Exercise. Physical activity releases endorphins that naturally perk up your mood. Some studies suggest that a workout is just as effective as anti-depression medication in curing negative moods and attitudes.
Taken from http://www.wikihow.com/Cheer-Up
