31 Easy Pick-Me-Ups to Brighten Your Day

Feeling blah? Here are 31 tiny and happy pick-me-ups you can do to turn your day around.

Some days, joy and peace come naturally to you. But there are also days when everything feels weird, down, and sad.

You wake up grumpy, your coffee tastes weird, and life also decides to throw chaos your way.

When that happens, you don’t need a whole self-care retreat to turn your mood around.

You just need some little pick-me-ups. You know, tiny joys that take little effort but can really flip your day.

I love such activities because they remind me that we have the power to change our thoughts, and that life is full of simple pleasures just waiting for us to tap in.

In this post, I’ve made a list of 31 small pick-me-ups that will sprinkle joy into an ordinary day.

Ready for some sweetness and joy? Here you go!

31 Quick Pick-Me-Ups

1. Make yourself a pretty latte, fruity mocktail, or fancy coffee. Sipping something fancy always makes you feel…well, fancy. And that’s a great way to pick all your senses up.

2. Dance for just one song. Crank up your favorite jam and go full music video mode, because nobody’s watching, my friend.

3. Reach out to a funny friend of yours. Just type ‘Tell me something ridiculous’ and see what they come up with.

4. Upgrade your snack and munch on. You can turn boring chips into nachos, drizzle chocolate on strawberries, or eat an apple with peanut butter. Even though I am all about mindful eating, meh, it doesn’t hurt to live a little.

5. Step outside for some time. Sunlight and fresh air are instant mood vitamins, and they are absolutely free. So, cash in as often as you need to.

6. Scroll through your phone’s gallery. There’ll definitely be some old photos that make you grin like a fool.

7. Put some stickers on your laptop, journal, or your water bottle. Childlike joy is underrated, and we should tap into it more often.

8. Light a scented candle that makes your whole place feel like a hug. It always works like a charm for me and is my favorite pick-me-up activity.

9. Send a nice voice note to someone. There’s a 10/10 chance that it’ll make their day, and yours too.

10. Color something, like a doodle, a coloring book, or just your grocery list. As I wrote before, childlike joy is real, and it helps.

11. Talk to your plant, and if you don’t have one, then bring a new plant home. Name it something dramatic like Sir Leafington, and make it your chat buddy when you’re alone.

12. Set a timer for five minutes and clean one corner of your home. You’ll feel instantly accomplished and happier.

13. Wear your ‘happy’ outfit. You know, the one that makes you feel like the main character and is also super comfortable on your body.

14. Re-watch a comfort show clip. Just the good part that always cracks you up. And if it feels good, then watch the full episode.

15. Have a mini picnic at home — on your floor, on your balcony, wherever it feels nice and warm.

16. Rearrange something in your house, like a shelf or a desk. A simple refresh in your space will bring fresh vibes and brighten up your mood.

17. Hug something soft. It can be your furry pet, a pillow, or a ridiculously fluffy blanket.

18. Try a new fruit, like litchi! An exotic fruit moment is a great way to pick yourself up.

19. Paint your nails. Even if it’s just one hand, it’ll make you feel like a queen.

20. Write a one-line journal entry, without pressure to make it right or pretty. Just start with ‘Today was…’ and fill in the blank. If it feels great, then keep writing for as long as you want.

21. Compliment a stranger online and spread some unexpected joy. Random acts of kindness like these are good for your soul.

22. Make a playlist called ‘Happy Soup’ and fill it with songs that feel like sunshine and loving hugs.

23. Blow bubbles like little kids. Guaranteed serotonin boost.

24. Give your hair a silly style, like space buns. Just because you can!

25. Watch a baby animal video with ducklings, puppies, or tiny goats. Instant heart melt!

26. Eat dessert first in your meal. It’s fun to sometimes flip the script.

27. Try a 5-minute meditation or just sit and breathe like you’re a calm and majestic sea otter.

28. Open the curtains to let in some natural light. If the weather’s good outside, then open your windows too. Fresh air will do your mind and body good.

29. Do a basic skincare routine and put on a colorful lip balm. Feels good to feel clean.

30. Make a tiny goal and smash it, like ‘drink a glass of water’. Winner vibes for the win!

31. Smile at yourself in the mirror. It feels weird for 2 seconds, but then it actually works.

Pick Yourself Up!

Sometimes, the smallest things can be so effective in pulling you out of a funk.

The next time you’re feeling down, just pick one (or five) of these pick-me-ups, and see how your day shifts.

And if you have a favorite little joy that’s not on the list, then please share it in the comment box. I’d love to try some of your ideas.