100 Joy-Bringing Activities You Can Do On Your Own
The pursuit of happiness…it’s something we all seek but can have a difficult time finding — especially when alone. Being stuck at home, especially when you’re all by yourself, can be depressing and lonely, leading to some pretty low feelings. And ironically, spending too much time and effort pursuing happiness can actually decrease happiness levels.
Fortunately, there are solutions. Whether you’re social distancing or on lockdown, your friends and family are too far away, or you’re just staying home a few days, there’s so much you can do to bring joy and happiness into your day, with minimal effort.
Here are 100 ways to treat yourself (in both small and big ways):
- Watch the sunrise
- Breathe deeply
- Make yourself breakfast
- Write a handwritten note to a friend or family member (no specific reason required)
- Smile at a neighbor or stranger in the grocery store
- Exercise
- Read or listen to a good book
- Explore your own home to find little nooks or comfy spots you may typically overlook
- Try a new at-home workout
- Spend time playing or cuddling with your pet
- Practice forgiveness and compassion (and that includes to yourself)
- Be artistic…draw, paint, sculpt, write, make jewelry, decorate furniture or a whole room
- Journal
- Care for a houseplant (that goes beyond watering..talk and sing to it)
- Meditate
- Listen to music (pick some of your favorites as well as discovering new music)
- Dance
- Spend time outside (if possible, in your bare feet)
- Take a walk or a hike
- Enjoy a good night’s sleep (or take an afternoon power nap—with or without coffee)
- Knock several items off your to-do list, especially one you’ve been putting off
- Stop and smell the flowers
- Pick some fresh flowers (if possible) and set them somewhere you can enjoy them
- Diffuse essential oils
- Laugh as hard as you can
- Sing out loud (with or without your favorite streaming music)
- Clear out clutter and get rid of things that make you feel sad or unhappy
- Organize your bedroom, closet, and/or pantry (and while you’re at it, tune into to music, sing, or listen to a good audiobook or podcast)
- Shop your closet and jewelry and wear pieces you haven’t worn in a while
- Smile (even if you have to start by faking it)
- Watch a funny, sappy, or silly movie (or re-watch an old favorite)
- Try a new online yoga or exercise class
- Watch clouds drift across a blue sky
- Soak up some sun (just don’t get burned)
- Soak in the tub or enjoy a hot shower
- Watch a spider build its web
- Yawn
- List your daily accomplishments
- Write down an extended gratitude list
- Give yourself a facial, manicure, or pedicure (or, all three for an at-home spa treatment!)
- Take pride in your appearance; even if you’re spending the day alone, you can get up and make yourself look and feel good
- Turn off the news
- Let your imagination go and daydream
- Practice good posture
- Be optimistic and think positively
- Stand up tall and reach for the sky
- Relax your body and reach for your toes
- Plant a garden (or just play outside in the dirt)
- Cook dinner
- Bake your favorite healthy dessert or treat
- Play an instrument
- Knit a scarf, hat, or blanket
- Love yourself
- Catch up on reading your favorite blog or magazine
- Live in the present
- Practice mindfulness
- Hug yourself
- Drink more water
- Enjoy the sound of running water
- Let it all go with a deep sigh
- Eat a rainbow of vegetables and fruits
- Treat your home as an art gallery and appreciate the pictures you’ve hung up (or hang the art you haven’t had a chance to)
- Call a friend and chat
- Let it all go and cry to release sadness
- Eat intuitively
- Treat yourself like a dinner guest—set the table as if you’re having your favorite people over
- Make your bed with clean, fresh sheets
- Stay in touch with happy people—by phone, letter, text, email, etc.
- Make a list of all of the fantastic things you’ve seen or done
- Make a bucket list of things you want to have, be, or do just for you; write down your goals and aspirations
- Take one small step toward accomplishing one of your goals
- Compliment others and show your appreciation
- Sit in silence
- Have a cup of tea
- Take a big bite of a juicy piece of fruit and smile like a kid
- Watch a nature video
- Throw a ball
- Get lost in some silly YouTube videos
- Donate something (like money, clothes, or other belongings you no longer need)
- Jump rope
- Take an online course and learn something new
- Peruse vacation sites and start planning your next big trip
- Take a virtual museum, gallery, zoo, or aquarium tour
- Practice random acts of kindness
- Play a game, put together a puzzle, or do sudoku or a crossword
- Take a picture and share it with friends
- Help others find joy
- Wear your favorite uplifting colors that make you feel confident and alive
- Begin a fun DIY project
- Stretch
- Write a thoughtful, kind, and/or compassionate comment on a social or blog post
- Create a list of the ten things you like most about your partner, kids, other loved one, or even a pet (you can even surprise them with the list)
- Solve a problem
- Enjoy a peaceful, mindful lunch (disconnected from the internet or TV)
- Share a hopeful post on social media
- Stop worrying
- Appreciate the little things
- Start planning for a happy future
- Create a list of at least ten things that add joy to your life (and repeat them as often as possible)
- Enjoy the sunset
Happiness is a spectrum, and levels fluctuate due to attitude, environment, and experiences. No matter what is happening in the world around us, there’s so much we can do to increase our own joy and bliss. What’s the top thing on your happiness list?