How do you cheer yourself up when you feel so down?

[Murzy]

i go out and have an ice cream. it always works for me

[BeZz1n_182]

spend time with friends, just talk about it, open yourself up to someone you can trust. loads of things have been getting me down recently, but just talking to the important people in your life can help.

[Jane]

I know how it feels to be down. I would say go out and go see a comedy at the theatre. Going out will help with not being alone at home, and watching a funny movie will get you laughing.

[Crystal]

Listen to music, write a story/poem, watch an old favorite childhood movie (usually Disney for me), or watch a comedy. Otherwise, hang out with friends.

[Samantha]

A lot of people here have suggested great things. Do something fun! Go to the theater, see a movie, hang out with some friends, maybe treat yourself to some nice food. For me, the best is driving and talking with my mom or one of my friends and playing music. I know it's tough to leave the comforts of your bed when you're feeling down, but you'll feel so much better if you do! Trust me, napping never solves anything.

[Sara]

1) Dance! Put on your favourite music, turn it up loud and dance! This is guaranteed to make you feel good. If you are unable to dance, don't let that stop you having fun - sing at the top of your voice instead.

2) Smile! Force yourself to smile even if you don't feel like it. This tricks your brain into thinking that you are happy. You do want to be happy don't you? Okay then - a great big cheesy grin. After three, one, two, three, - smile :0)

3) Spend time with children. Their natural zest for life is infectious. As well as the pleasures of a spontaneous hug or a chubby little hand in yours, try to take away with you some of their joy in simple things, licking an ice cream, playing with water, tramping through fallen leaves or following a butterfly.

4) Reward yourself. If there is a job that you hate to do, household accounts, home repairs etc. don't keep putting it off so that it is constantly nagging at you. Just get it done. Then reward yourself with whatever you love, a shiny new magazine, a bunch of flowers, a long soak in an aromatic bath, two bars of chocolate or an evening in front of the tv doing absolutely nothing. Or even all of the above if you can afford it. The peace of mind that comes from having got the job done will be the greatest reward of all.

5) Have more fun. Apparently children laugh approximately 400 times a day yet adults laugh only about 20 times a day. When do we lose our sense of fun? Claim it back. Play games, watch comedies, have daily jokes delivered to your mailbox or throw a fancy dress party.

6) See your old friends. It's easy to get into a work, family, housework, shopping, sleep and back to work again routine that leaves you no time at all to be the person you once were. The funny, up for a laugh, outgoing young woman you used to be. Spending time with friends who knew the old you seems to resurrect that side of your character. You will come away feeling younger, more positive and more excited by life than you were before you met up. Go on, invite them over to share a pizza and catch up on each other's lives.

7) Paint or accessorize a room that you spend a lot of time in a lovely bright yellow. The colour of sunshine will lift your spirit and bring positive vibrations. We subconciously know about the effects of colour on our emotions which is why we talk about the future looking rosy or having the blues.

8) Take the happiness option. You have the choice whether to spend this day, which you will never live through again, in a state of happiness or unhappiness. Choose to spend it as happily as you possibly can.

[David]

I read an old favorite book, or watch an episode of firefly or work on one of my Novels. It always makes me feel relaxed and good.

[Iphigenia]

I let myself mope a little, first.

THEN! I turn on Queen, Grizzly Bear, Frank Sinatra, The Acorn, Vampire Weekend, KISS, anything that will make me feel better. I turn up the volume and clean the entire house, bake something, clear up my email, and a bunch of other really mundane things. Cleaning is by far my favorite. It all lets me think and to configure my feelings and all that stuff.

I just have to do