Doing small things that make you feel good can make a big difference to your mental wellbeing.

Everyone will experience feeling low, tired or like nothing is going right. When you're living in a family affected by Huntington’s disease or caring for someone, it can feel even harder to find space for joy. 

Mood boosters are things you can do that lift your spirits. These small actions won’t necessarily solve your problem, but they can help brighten your day and make things feel a bit more manageable.These activities are all about doing things you enjoy or discovering something new that makes you smile. They’re quick, low-pressure, and easy to try, whether you’ve got five minutes or a whole afternoon.

You deserve time for yourself. Even little things can help you feel happier.

Try one of our mood booster ideas

Make a happy box

Start to collect things to add to a happy box. This can be added to as time goes on but it is a great thing to get out when your mood is low. You can fill it with photographs, toys from when you were younger or special gifts you have received. A great thing to add to your box is positive affirmations about yourself. These will remind you of how brave, resilient and strong you are. You can include notes to remind yourself of times you have been extra brave or made a difference to someone's life.
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Get creative

Dig out your pencil or paint set and draw or paint. You don't have to be an artist to get the benefits of art therapy. If you don't know what to draw or paint you could try a colouring book or paint by numbers. If your brain is feeling overwhelmed, collect items from your home and garden to get creative. Scrapbooking is a great way to distract yourself when you're having a tough day and can provide you with lasting memories if you include photos and special items. You could also try one of our drawing challenges, download below and give it a try.

Download our drawing challenges

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Self-care

Self-care is not selfish, it's an important part of helping us feel good so that we can better show up for others. It doesn't have to be something big; it could be as simple as a bath with music and candles, or letting yourself take 10, on your own with a warm drink and your favourite snack. Other self-care ideas could be giving yourself 30 minutes to read, cooking or baking, taking a nap or journaling.
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Sports and exercise

Moving your body is a great way to look after your mental health. Walking is a great option as you can go out for as little or as long as you want and immerse yourself in nature (be sure to look at the trees and take in the changing of the seasons). Exercise can really help boost your mood and energy. Doing a sport you love is always a great way to feel good, but trying something new that requires learning and concentration also acts as a great distraction.
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Meditation

Practising meditation can really boost your mood. If you are unsure if it's for you, why not try breathing exercises first? There are free apps such as 'Smiling Mind', 'The Mindfulness App' or 'Aura'. There are also breathing apps such as 'Breathwrk', 'iBreathe' and 'Breath Ball'.
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Playing with your pets

If you have a pet, spending some time, cuddling and playing with them is a great way to boost your mood. If you don't have a pet, why not ask a friend or family member if you can join them on a dog walk.
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Listening to music

Music is a great form of meditation, it allows you to switch off and certain songs can even help by reminding you of a happy time or memory. Why not create a playlist of mood boosting songs that you can put on when you are feeling low.
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