I don’t know about you but sometimes I find it hard to stay positive and motivated. It’s too easy to turn to things like spending to make yourself feel better. The buzz of a new purchase usually only last a few hours and you are back to feeling a bit glum. I thought I would share with you some of the ways I’ve learnt to combat this over the years without resorting to spending too much money (something I’m definitely guilty of when bored or unhappy).

Here are my top 5 frugal tips for boosting your mood.

Avoid The News

Avoid the news as much as possible and look for stories of inspiration instead. I use websites like  Tiny Buddha and Positive News. I love the fun and inspiring section on the Tiny Buddha website, it never fails to cheer me up.

Comedies

Watch one of your favourite comedies. Choose something that really makes you laugh and leaves you feeling good afterwards. You can pick up DVDs really inexpensively from charity shops or even borrow one from your local library.

Create

Be creative. Colour, write, draw or bake, you don’t have to be good at it or an expert it’s the process that counts. I love to write, whether it’s here on the blog or in one of my many notebooks. Creativity can reduce stress and sharpen your problem-solving skill too.

Fresh Air

Get outside, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Get in the garden or take a walk to the local park. The fresh air and the daylight will help boost your mood immensely. During the winter months, there’s a risk of not getting enough vitamin D and this can contribute to feeling low so combat it by getting into the natural light as much as you can.

Silliness

Be silly, sing at the top of your lungs and dance like no one is watching. Have a tickle fight with your kids or partner. Laughter really is the medicine and it’s totally free.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas of how to cheer yourself up without spending a penny.