Feel Better Quickly. Ten Simple Techniques That Lift Your Spirits In A Hurry

Ever have one of those days? Or maybe you're feeling discouraged, frustrated, or stressed? You don't have to suffer. Seek out things you enjoy, activities that make you happy. If you're stuck for ideas, read on.

Here are a few simple things you can do to put yourself in a more positive frame of mind so you'll be better able to tackle what needs to be done.

1. Chocolate ;-)

I'm serious. It seems to trigger endorphins in the brain. Just be sure not to OD. For maximum effectiveness, you may want to choose one of those super-dark chocolates - it has the highest proportion of the mood-enhancing cocoa ingredients, so you get more bang for the calorie.

2. Hot chocolate

Marshmallows or whipped cream optional. Feel free to enhance it by experimenting with the same coffee flavorings that you can find at fancy coffee places.

3. A good meal, preferably with a friend

Sometimes, you may just be hungry or your body is missing some ingredients). Consider having your favorite mood-enhancing foods: lasagna, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes. It works. That's why they call it comfort food!

4. A hot bath with a mood-lifting scent

Include lots of bubbles if you like them. Personally, I prefer lots of essential oils and maybe dead sea salts, but no bubbles.

5. A nap

Fatigue can really do a number on your mood. Get some sleep.

6. A walk in the park

Or on the beach, or anywhere else, preferably outdoors, that you enjoy. Fresh air. Sunshine. Exercise. A magic combination.

7. Hugs

If there's nobody suitable nearby, try calling a friend. Or join a group that's very touchy-feely and attend lots of meetings.

8. Pet a cat

Or a dog, a bunny rabbit, a boa constrictor. Borrowed pets work too if your landlord won't let you keep a pet.

9. Watch a movie that makes you happy and/or laugh, preferably both

A few years back, when I went through chemo and got quite depressed at times, I prescribed myself a happy movie a day. It made a HUGE difference.

10. Inspiring refrigerator magnets, greeting cards or mugs

"The thousand-mile road starts with the first step." Or "You can't get it all done once and for all. That's like trying to eat once and for all." One of my favorite greeting cards is by Alan Cohen: "The purpose of life is not to arrive safely at death."

Are these techniques simple and obvious? Yes. Obviously, there are more complicated and less obvious techniques, but why not start at the beginning. But they work, and sometimes it's hard to remember them when you need them most, so a list could come in handy. Clip it and stick it on your fridge. And when the blues come around, do one or more of the things above and watch what happens.

But which one? Easy. Whichever one appeals to you most at the moment, preferably one that doesn't need special ingredients or much of a learning cu