Social distancing, cocooning and self-isolation are all difficult. If you’ve been feeling a little low, here are some simple ideas to help you lift your mood.

Of course, if you’re feeling very upset and having difficulty getting out of bed, sleeping or taking care of yourself, please reach out for support by speaking to your GP or telling a loved one how you’re feeling. Remember – there’s absolutely no shame in asking for help. It’s a sign of strength.

1. MAKE TIME FOR WHAT LIGHTS YOU UP – By ‘what lights you up’ we mean those activities that instantly make you feel good and happy. Whether it’s knitting or watching a film or taking a long bath, try to plan at least one of these activities into your weekly schedule. Ideally, plan more than one but one is a great place to start. If you’re unsure of what exactly lights you up, try thinking about the things you loved to do as a child – how would you feel trying some of those things again this week?

2. GET OUT OF THE HOUSE (IF POSSIBLE) – You’d be amazed how curative bright daylight, fresh air and a walk can be. Of course, please adhere to safe social distancing when out and about and be sure to avoid touching your face. As soon as you get home, wash your hands immediately.

3. GO BACK TO BASICS – Often if we’re feeling a bit low, it means that something in our life could do with being tweaked ever-so-slightly. So try getting back to basics. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, moving your body daily, relaxing and eating nourishing foods. Often once we work on these basic areas, we feel a bit of a lift.

4. MOVE YOUR MOOD – When we move, our bodies naturally produce those happiness-boosting endorphins. And you don’t necessarily need to go out for a 5km run in order to achieve it (unless you enjoy 5km runs – if so, have at it!). But if you’re feeling a bit low, try moving your body at home. Try turning on one of your favourite songs and just dancing out how you feel. Don’t worry about looking silly, just allow yourself to really let go and move how your body wants to move. We promise you’ll notice an uplift in your mood before the song is over. Even better, make a 10 minute playlist of all your favourite songs on Spotify and have a solo dance party every day.

5. EAT SOME CHOCOLATE – Now, if you’re really struggling the best port of call is always to talk to your GP and reach out and get support. But if your mood is just a little bit low due to everything that’s going on, a bit of chocolate can offer an instant boost. Treat yourself. Chocolate releases happy hormones in the brain. Just make sure not to rely on it every time you need a bit of perking up. Think of this as a very quick fix, while going back to basics and getting outside etc. are more long-term fixes.

6. CUDDLE – Whether it’s with a loved one or your pet, cuddling someone important (dogs and cats included!) can not only make us feel more relaxed, it also releases the bonding hormone and boosts our mood.

7. DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE – It may feel a little bit hard in the moment, but stick with it and it will help you feel better. Being nice to someone else helps us to remember that we’re not alone and can improve our relationships. Try writing a letter of appreciation to one of your friends or maybe cook something nice for a loved one. Think of little ways you can brighten their day.

8. DO SOMETHING NEW – It’s so easy to fall into routines during social distancing and self-isolation, but our brains crave novelty and even adding something small to your usual routine can brighten up your mood considerably. Try starting your day with five minutes of meditation, taking a different route when you’re going for your daily walk or maybe watch a film from a genre you don’t usually watch.

9. CALL AN UPBEAT FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER – Happiness and optimism are contagious and countless studies have shown that interacting with happy people makes us happy by default. So think of that one person in your life who is always upbeat and schedule a call with them. They’ll be happy you called and you’ll feel better having spoken with them – it’s a win/win situation.

10. CELEBRATE SOMETHING – Whether it’s getting out for a small walk, tidying your home or learning something new, celebrate your achievements. Everything counts. In fact, think of how much you’ve achieved in the past two years – when you stop to think about it you’re likely to find lots of examples of your intelligence, creativity, kindness and more. Celebrate accordingly!