Bliss Menu: A Simple Mood Booster
I first heard about the bliss menu technique from Kate Northrup a few years ago. A bliss menu is a list of things we love to do. It can be a great tool to use to change our mood when we’re having a bad day. Is there something on our bliss menu we can do to lift our spirits? If not, can we plan something? Sometimes even just thinking about those things can have a positive impact, especially when it evokes uplifting memories.
Some of the things on my list can easily be achieved by taking just five minutes out of your day. While you might feel overwhelmed and that you don’t even have five minutes, I bet you’ll feel better for taking the time, and you’ll probably be more productive!
I’d like to offer a note of caution here. While using the bliss menu technique can be a quick and easy way to feel better, it’s often only a temporary fix and will usually not address any underlying issues. It’s important to allow ourselves to feel the pain and look at the root cause.
Sometimes we need a quick fix, however. For example, if we’re at work and something is bothering us, we probably don’t have time to fully process our feelings and it might not be appropriate at that moment. Also, sometimes we’re not ready to face those inner demons and changing our mood can be a temporary distraction.
In this post I share a few items on my bliss menu.
My favourite bliss menu items
Music
Singing and dancing is a great way to change our mood as I mentioned in a previous post Music for Manifesting. Singing is one of my favourite things to do. I may not be very good at it, but I enjoy it and that’s all that matters!
According to healthline.com “music can boost Happiness and reduce anxiety”. Even listening to music can help and if you can sing and dance then so much the better. I have Music for Manifesting and DJ Samy playlists on Spotify with all my favourite feel good tunes, which I play to boost my mood. I sing and dance to one of these playlists in the morning while I’m getting ready.
Laughter
Laughter not only helps to soothe stress and anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic it also boosts your immune system and can relieve pain. Books, TV and the radio are all great sources of entertainment. YouTube has lots of funny, entertaining videos. My current favourite is to watch reruns of “Would I lie to you?”
Getting out in nature
Getting out in nature is one of my favourite pastimes. A combination of fresh air, exercise and nature is one of the best ways to soothe my soul.
It’s particularly helpful to get out for a walk at lunchtime. As well as helping to change my mood, it helps me clear my head, and I often find I’m more productive in the afternoon as a result. If I’m having a bad day at work, I find even just going outside in the fresh air for a few minutes can help me to feel significantly better.
Go out for lunch or brunch
I love going out for lunch or brunch, either with my partner Andy, aka Mr Sexy Pants (MSP), with friends, or on my own. What can I say. I’m a Taurus. I love my food and drink!
In Suffolk we are blessed to have cafes and restaurants in beautiful surroundings such as Ipswich Waterfront, Felixstowe Sea Front, and the nearby town of Woodbridge.
Self-care and alone time
Self-care and alone time are one of the biggest keys to Happiness. Aim to spend some time alone in silence every day if you can. Read a book, have a bath, go for a walk alone, meditate, draw or paint. The options are endless.
A couple of years ago MSP and I planned a trip to a nearby town, about 30-minutes’ drive away, to collect something. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. It was during lockdown and I craved some “me time”, so I asked MSP if I could go alone—and he agreed. I really enjoyed the solitude, and I played a fiction book I’d been listening to. By the time I got back, I felt completely relaxed and refreshed
Listen to something uplifting
As well as listening to music, I like listening to audiobooks and podcasts. I find this is a great way to learn and develop. I believe it’s important to give our brains a rest, so I also listen to fiction books, which provide some light relief.
To conclude, changing our mood can be a great way to deal with difficult situations and can be a temporary way to cope with painful emotions.
Create your own bliss menu today! Share it in the comments.
I’m Samantha Brook.
I’m a Happiness blogger and coach.
I am the Amazon #1 bestselling author of Happiness Club: Learn to Be Happy and Get What You Want.
I empower people who are fed up with feeling fed up to take action to feel Happier and Get What They Want.
If you’d like to work with me there are a few ways you can do that including 1. Subscribe to Happiness Club on Substack. 2. Buy the book – Happiness Club: Learn to Be Happy and Get What You Want! 3. Join the waiting list for the Happiness Club membership programme. 4. Contact me for details of the Happiness Club workplace wellbeing programme.
This post was originally written for Happiness-Club.co.uk.
