Activities to boost your mood

Here are our personal favorites.

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HELLO, FRIEND Q What's one activity that lifts your spirits when you're feeling down? A "Cooking a very involved recipe from a cookbook. I put my phone down, play the "Jazzy Dinner" Spotify playlist on my headphones, and focus on keeping my hands busy — chopping, dicing, washing dishes between steps. I can just be with my own thoughts without distraction." — Kenny Thapoung, managing newsletter editor "Get outside. I try to go for a walk, but even just sitting outside can be enough." — Ren Dias, editor "Cleaning! If my space is messy, I feel like it contributes negatively to my mood. Plus, donating things also makes me feel good." — Sarah Choi, engagement editor "Cuddling my cat almost always does the trick for me. Focusing on how fluffy her fur feels is also very grounding when I'm stuck in my head." — Morgan Mandriota, newsletter editor "The combination of getting outside, being active, and listening to something (podcast or audiobook) that takes my mind off the problem is so helpful." — Jill Campbell, editor "Music. I have a playlist of songs that always lift up my spirit when I most need it." — Adam Balderrama, senior technical project manager "Admiring what new flowers have bloomed and listening to the birds. Even just going outside to pull a few weeds for 10 minutes makes me feel better. Reading is also another go-to for me." — Naomi Wilde, engagement editor Grounding techniques Responses have been edited for clarity. If you'd like to request a specific topic, offer feedback, or chime in with your answers to our weekly questions, feel free to email us at newsletters@healthline.com. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting you on the path to mental well-being. PRODUCTS FOR YOU   Nature's Truth Lavender Essential Oil $7.00 Shop now   TRY THIS Get Enough Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 may relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. You can get it from animal-based sources like tuna and beef, or you can try a supplement. Shop now MORE RESOURCES Find support for your journey Finding a therapist has never been easier Search by specialty, condition, or location to match with a mental health professional who meets your needs. Find care Browse our mental health marketplace Explore our top picks for products, apps, and other tools that can help you manage anxiety and depression symptoms. Shop now MORE HEALTHY READS We picked these articles just for you How to Get Out of Bed When Depression Is Keeping You Down Read more > Is Magnesium Effective for Anxiety Relief? Read more > Doctors Who Specialize in Depression Read more > Depression and Anxiety: How to Identify and Treat Coexisting Symptoms Read more > Shop products Get care Shipping info View in browser Unsubscribe Privacy policy We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. Healthline, Optum Now, and their respective logo(s) are trademarks of RVO Health, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © ‌2025‌ RVO Health, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ‌1101‌ Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC, ‌29707 ‌