The ultimate tip for when you're not feeling mentally well: think about your youth

It's the best tip I've ever received: when you're feeling down, do something that brought you joy as a child.

For me, that's dancing to music from back then, dressing up nicely and putting on makeup (I used to wear a princess dress and pull out the makeup from the cabinet) or watching a romcom that's been on repeat for twenty years. Think of Legally Blonde, Mean Girls (yes, Mean Girls is TWENTY years old) or my all-time favorite: The Sweetest Thing with Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate. Somehow, those things bring so much happiness to me that every dip disappears like snow in the sun. And I'm not making this up.

Research has shown that reminiscing about good memories and reflecting on your own past can have positive effects on your well-being. Especially looking back at old photos or listening to music you used to love plays an important role in this. By reliving these valuable moments, a coherent story emerges that connects the past, present, and future. This contributes to a deeper understanding of yourself and gives structure to life, which ultimately has positive effects on your psychological well-being and can give you a sense of happiness. Everyone has different memories from their youth, but a few things you can do to evoke this feeling of joy are:

Browse through old photos and other memories
Take the time to browse through photo albums, old letters, or other memories you have kept. Reliving these moments can evoke nostalgic feelings and create a positive sensation.

Write down your memories
Take the time to write down your personal stories and memories. The process of documenting your life, for example in diary form, can give you a wonderful boost.

Share your memories with others
Talk to friends or family members about shared memories. Sharing nostalgic moments can not only create a positive feeling, but it can also strengthen social connections.

Create a ‘nostalgic corner’
Reserve a special space in your home for items that remind you of special moments in the past. This can be a place you regularly return to for a positive boost.

Rediscover your old hobbies
Go back to the activities you used to enjoy but have shifted to the background. Whether it's painting, reading, gardening, or playing a musical instrument, picking up old hobbies can give you a sense of happiness you didn't even know existed.

Source: Psychology Today