by Julie Emery

Created on: July 24, 2008   Last Updated: July 26, 2008

Need an instant mood booster? Whether you are feeling a vague sense of sadness, general moodiness or just a lack of enthusiasm, here are some quick and easy ideas to put some wind in your sails.

1. Go outside. Walk the dog, go for a bike ride, fly a kite, or tend a garden. The nature of the activity is irrevelent. What matters is that you are not cooped up inside, and you are moving.

2. If the weather is inclement, or leaving the comfy confines of your home is not such a great option, watch a stand-up comedian/comedienne on DVD, or if you prefer television, sitcom reruns such as "I Love Lucy", "The Three Stooges", "Friends" or "Seinfeld" are always a sure bet. It will be hard to resist laughing while Phoebe "sings" the words to "Smelly Cat".

3. Call a friend or family member that always has great stories to recount. Just connecting with a loved one does a heart good. Try especially hard to be "in the moment" and truly engaged with that person- push all other distractions aside.

4. Help someone that is worse off than you. Do you know a single mother that would welcome an hour or two of free babysitting? Do you have an elderly neighbor that would love some company or needs her lawn mowed? Helping someone else will instantly make you feel better about yourself and will add a spring to your step.

5. Splurge and buy yourself an inexpensive gift: a beautiful and delicate floral bouquet at the grocery store, a CD of your newest favorite recording artist, a lottery scratch ticket, or an indulgent treat such as a small box of chocolates or a fancy pastry at the bakery.

6. Who would think that cooking could lift your spirits? It does when it's not "On Demand"! Experiment with a new recipe. Put on some relaxing music and an apron and just watch how quickly you forget about being grouchy or sad when you have flour on your nose.

7. Go someplace where there are other people. A bookstore, a library, the mall, a pub, a park, a diner. Find a place that you can just as easily interact or not- depending on your tendency to be outgoing or reserved. Sometimes, just people-watching will be entertaining enough!

8. Organize your photos. Gather your empty photo albums that you have meant to fill, and start filling them. This will stir up some fond memories, and is guaranteed to lift your spirits! If you are really ambitious, write some basic information on the back of the pictures such as who is in the picture, and when & where it was taken. Don't assume that when you are gone, your loved ones will remember the history of all those photos.

9. Write in your journal. Sometimes, we just have to get our feelings out on paper. As you express your melancholy thoughts, your burdens will feel lessened, and your outlook will be brighter.

10. Read the comics in your local paper and clip out the ones that make you smile. Send them to the friends or family members that would most appreciate the humor. Think about the person receiving this unexpected and quirky item in the mail, and how appreciated this one small gesture will be.

11. Pamper yourself. Take a leisurely warm bath or shower, using skin care products you've received as gifts, but have never made time to use. Soak your feet, give yourself a pedicure, and spend extra time painting your nails. Give yourself a facial or apply a facial mask. Moisturize and get into your favorite pjs and lose yourself in a great book.

These are some "quick and easy pick-me-ups", tried and true. I hope you find one that works for you!

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