How to feel better today

If you’re a human, sometimes you get sad. And sometimes you don’t want to be sad anymore.

So what do you do if you experience the weepy waves of sad? I’ve come up with a list here that explains what I do when I hit the emotion ocean, and they might just work for you too.

Like most things that are good for you, you’re not going to want to do some of these. You never want to do the push-ups, but you sure as hell can enjoy the benefits. These are all things that I had no desire to do (I’d have much rather buried myself in a pint of Talenti) but somehow did, and then realized how much better I felt after doing just one of them. It’s really never failed me.

One: Set a timer for five minutes and fire up the webcam. Then just start talking, with no intention whatsoever. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like talking, or what you talk about. Just keep going. Whatever is bothering you will eventually bubble to the surface, and you might surprise yourself and keep talking long after the alarm goes off. This is incredibly therapeutic, and way cheaper than therapy. This is also great for when friends are unavailable/you can’t talk because your voice keeps cracking.

Two: Watch the notorious NDT’s ‘The Cosmos’ on Netflix. You could even watch anything related to the wonders of space, but make sure it’s one that awakens you to the wonder and fascination of the expanse that is the universe. Sit there and marvel at how small and insignificant we really are, and how our problems literally amount to nothing in the scope of this infinite cosmic soup. Somehow, it makes me feel better.

Three: Talk a kid if you can find one. Go to your neighbor’s place. You can’t be sad around a kid; they won’t let you. Or they will ask you why you’re being so crabby. Then you’ll be forced to justify yourself to a 5-year old, and those things are like bullshit-detectors. They will call you out so fast. It can be really refreshing.

Four: Do something you’re good at, even if you don’t feel like it. If you’d much rather continue sobbing, do it while recounting all the ways that you fucked up. Something tells me that you can’t do both at once though!

Five: Dog-sit, or babysit, or do something where you are responsible for a life. It will remind you that are not alone, and that we all need each other in some way or the other. If you have a pet, then you already understand this. Go cuddle that animal! If you have a yard, go outside and pull some weeds. Water those plants. Those plants are your friends.

Six: Eat some ice cream. I bet you didn’t think I was going to say that! This is one you may actually want to do. By all means, eat it up. It will keep your mouth busy, giving you less of an incentive to cry. Plus, it’s delicious, so win, win. Just do something else along with it. I recommend watching Neil Degrasse Tyson.

Seven: Do something nice for someone else. This, hands down, is the best way to get out of your head and get closer to feeling better. Helping someone else takes your mind off your own problems and puts them in perspective. Help a friend move, finally show your mom how to use Instagram, correct your little cousin’s math homework. The options really are endless here, but whatever you choose, I guarantee that you will feel at least a little bit better.

So there you have it - 7 ways to feel just a little better today. Of course, this is no replacement for professional treatment should you need it, but no matter where you are on the sad spectrum, I hope these will help move the needle forward just a little bit.

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