Opening the blinds has become a morning ritual at my house because the natural light does so much to improve my mood. Music is another major lift, so we usually turn on the radio as well. (I say “we” because the kids and I enjoy these things together. Ethan is fascinated by the movement of the curtains and the brightening of each room, and Aidan loves to sing to the radio. Of course, their enjoyment enhances mine!) Especially when I’m running low on sleep, I need these little things to help me get through the day without tearing my hair out.

Other mood boosters:

• Taking a nap
• Using my imagination
• Walking or running
• Creating something
• Dancing with my children
• A change of scenery
• Doing something nice for someone else, especially if it’s sneaky
• Hugs
• Solving a problem
• Finishing a project, no matter how small
• Exercising
• A good story
• Being outdoors
• Looking at photographs
• Pondering God's grace (thank you, Lindsey)
• A quiet drive to a serene setting (Lindsey again )
  

I can’t really say that prayer and Bible reading bring instant joy, but they definitely give me strength and peace (sometimes just a little, sometimes a lot) throughout the day that I wouldn’t have otherwise. And in the long run, they’re a must for my contentment. A few other things I’ve found to have a long-term effect on my happiness are humility, acceptance, trust, forgiveness, and an eternal perspective on my problems (they seem silly, sometimes, in thinking of the bigger picture). Humility was a particular eye-opener for me.

Anything else I should add to either list? What kinds of things have you found to be pick-me-ups?