How to Cheer Up on Your Lunch Break

Relaxing

Take a deep breath. When you first start your lunch break, it's good to make a clean break from your work. Take a moment to take a few deep breaths and clear your head. If you're going to cheer yourself up, you need to leave work behind for the hour. You can also try deep breathing or meditation. For deep breathing, simply close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. Try breathing in for four counts through your nose, and then hold it for four counts. Breath out for four counts through your mouth.

Pay someone to help you relax. You have an hour or so to do what you want, so why don't you do something that really relaxes you? For example, you could go get a massage, which will help you relax all over, or go for something smaller, such as a pedicure.

Visit your pet. If you have a pet at home that you love and adore, consider taking a quick trip home to see it. Just spending time with a furry friend puts most people in a better mood. Plus, your animal will love seeing you for a few minutes!

Spend some time doodling. If art is your type of therapy, take a break at lunch to spend some time making some art. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Just try a bit of doodling or even an adult coloring book, if that's more your style.

Breaking Up the Monotony

Get up from your desk. One way to help cheer yourself up at lunch is to make sure you leave your desk. If you stay at your desk, you'll likely just stay in whatever funk you're in. Getting up and away can help break up the mood you're in.

Take a walk outside. Seeing green can put you in a better mood, so spend some time outside looking at nature. Plus, getting out in the sunlight is also a natural mood booster, so be sure to spend 10-20 minutes feeding your skin with vitamin D from the sun.

Pick something new to do. Break out of your everyday lunch routine. Maybe you sit in your office most days or go eat in the break room. Try doing something new. Visit a restaurant you've been meaning to try, for instance, or visit a new park. Just trying something new and exciting can perk you up.

Don't forget to eat. It can be tempting to skip over eating if you're in a bad mood. However, that will likely drag you down even more, as your blood sugar crashes in the afternoon. Eat a solid, healthy meal to perk you up for the afternoon. Try including a lean protein, some whole grains, and a fruit or veggie. Of course, eating something you enjoy can also boost your mood, so if you are really craving it, go for that ice cream at the end.

Doing Something Fun

Go out with friends. Nothing cheers you up like a good laugh with friends. If you're feeling down, call up a friend and invite them to lunch. If you need to talk, they can listen, or you can just laugh and enjoy each other's company. Either way, you're sure to feel better after spending time with a friend. Don't forget to hug one of your friends while you're out, as that can also help boost your mood.

Read a book. If reading is something you enjoy, reading on your lunch break can cheer you up immensely, as long as you're reading a book you enjoy. It helps you escape your everyday life for a bit, letting you live in someone else's world.

Go shopping. Another way to cheer yourself up is to practice some retail therapy, if you like to go shopping. Spend some time wheeling around your favorite store, taking in the sights and smells. Of course, it's not a good idea to spend money you don't have, but if you have the money, try buying yourself something nice. It doesn't have to be something big, just something that makes you happy.

Jam to your favorite tunes. Either put in your headphones or go out to the car to rock out to some of your favorite songs. Pick songs you love that are upbeat and fun. Spend a few minutes tapping to the beat to quickly pick up your mood.

Make yourself laugh. The simple act of laughing and smiling can put you in a better mood. Spend some time watching a funny video on the internet, or read your favorite comic. You could also spend time watching your favorite stand-up comic. Anything that gets you laughing should put you in a better mood. If you spend a lot of time looking at a screen during work, try to find something funny that's not on your computer of phone so you get a break from screen time.