15 Activities to Boost Your Happiness and Self-Esteem
When your life is full of happiness, you are much more likely to feel confident in yourself. Filling your days with activities that bring out the best in your personality is the best outlook for 2025, and what better time to start than now? Whether you’re considering digital pastimes to help you relax and reset after a hectic day, or you’re hoping to enjoy some physical interactions with new groups of people, it’s so important to find hobbies that make you feel good about yourself. Every individual is different and will have their own unique preferences when it comes to how they choose to spend their spare time, so it’s completely up to you!
The following ideas may help to spark some inspiration so that you can feel a sense of true happiness each and every day, whether you’re trying out yoga or giving baking a try. All of the activities below are bound to boost your serotonin levels and give you that well-deserved boost of happiness!
1. Meditation
If you haven’t tried meditation as a mood boosting activity before, then this is your sign to put it at the very top of your priority list. Even when you are having the worst possible day, a small stint of mediation for just ten minutes can completely shift your mindset. Whether you’re following a guided meditation, or you’re simply sitting in silence and practicing visualizations, you are bound to reap the rewards right away. So many people turn to meditation when they are suffering with their mental health, or going through a particularly rough time in their life. Having this grounding and calming technique to turn to at any place and any time can be hugely helpful.
2. Baking
Following a step by step recipe, gathering all of the relevant ingredients and watching all of your hard work turn into something beautiful and delicious to share with your loved ones is a must-do. Baking has been a popular pastime for many individuals for centuries, simply because the side effects on your mind are unquestionable. Even if you have never baked before, you will find so much joy and happiness from turning an online recipe into something tangible that you can eat afterwards.
3. Online Games
If you’re looking for a rewarding way to spend your free time, then why not consider online games as an option? When you’re able to reach your goals and challenge yourself it is an instant mood booster. You may find that playing a card game such as freecell is the perfect way to bring you the sense of happiness you’re looking for. A daily dose of online gaming can improve your cognitive skill, enhance critical thinking, widen your knowledge and boost your problem solving abilities. Over time you will soon start to make strides with your gaming goals so that you look forward to getting better and better each time you play.
4. Yoga
The power of yoga for your mental health has been recognized for a long time, especially for those who enjoy gentle physical activity. Yoga is a calming and enjoyable form of exercise that can improve flexibility, reduce stress and enhance your overall core strength. From online tutorials to in person classes, it’s certainly worth giving it a try to test out the results!
5. Running
Runners will always talk to you about the thrill of finishing a run; the dopamine hit is next level and you have to try it for yourself in order to truly experience it. Download a running app and see if you can test your fitness levels and feel the rush of joy after you’ve given it a try.
6. Singing
There is no explanation needed for this activity. Cranking up the music and singing at the very top of your lungs is something that is always going to make you feel happier right away. Whether you’re in the car, cleaning the kitchen or in the shower, you can always find a moment to sing along to your favorite artist!
7. Journaling
For many individuals, journaling can be such a cathartic experience that allows all of their worries and stresses to melt away in an instant. Whether you’ve got a lot on your mind, or you’re overthinking about a particularly anxiety inducing situation, you can put all of your thoughts onto paper and feel better right away. Keep a notebook and pen next to your bedside, and you can use it as a useful tool to dump all of your thoughts onto paper before you go to sleep.
8. Painting
Picking up a paintbrush and allowing your creative side to run free as you turn a blank canvas into a work of art is a truly rewarding feeling. Whether you’re a pro painter or just getting started, you will soon start to notice how happy this creative activity makes you feel. Gather your friends together for a painting party, and you’ll start to learn what true joy really feels like!
9. Gardening
Adding extra vitamin D to your daily routine is certainly one that can’t be ignored. Gardening is one of the best mood boosting activities you can do simply because you’re surrounded by nature. Whether you’re tending to your flowers, starting up your very own herb garden or you’re simply mowing the lawn, you’ll instantly feel lighter and brighter after spending some productive time outside in the garden.
10. Getting a Massage
Massages are the number one method to relax both your mind and body at the same time. Whether you’re suffering with aching muscles, or you’re in need of a chill out hour, getting a massage is going to give you so much happiness during and after the process. Book in with a beauty therapist you know you can trust, so that the entire experience is enjoyable from start to end.
11. Skincare
Indulging in a few additional steps with your skincare regime is the ultimate form of self-care and bound to make you feel incredible. If you’re looking for an instant boost of happiness, all you need to do is treat yourself to an at-home facial and put on some extra moisturizer and you’ll feel completely fabulous right away.
12. Shopping
It’s no secret that shopping can help you feel happier and much more confident, especially when you’re buying items to give your self-esteem a boost. Although there is nothing wrong with indulging in a little bit of retail therapy, you should also make sure you stay within your spending budget. Set aside some money each month for your retail therapy enjoyment and you will soon find that your happiness soars to the next level and your self-esteem benefits as a result.
13. Watching a Movie
If you’re really looking for a tried and tested way to give your happiness a boost, then all you need to do is turn on your favorite movie. Even when you’re feeling at your lowest, switching on a movie is a proven method to bring you straight out of your slump and back onto cloud nine again. Whether you’re into romantic comedies, or you’re keen on thrillers, there are so many reasons to turn off your phone, make some fresh popcorn and indulge in a movie that you know is going to make you feel instantly uplifted. Whether you’re with your partner, a friend or you’re watching it solo, you will always find some sort of joy from this activity.
14. Reading
When you start to take time out of your day to read more, you will find that it instantly improves how you feel about yourself. There is something enjoyable about reaching a new chapter and allowing your mind to wander to other thoughts rather than what’s going on in your own life. Reading is well-known as a feel good activity that also has multiple benefits to your mental health. Try a handful of different genres and you will soon discover what your favorite type of book is.
15. Hanging Out With Friends
There is truly no better feeling than hanging out with the people you love. This feel-good activity is a surefire way to bring you the happiness you’re looking for and boost your confidence. Whether you’re meeting up in person, or you’re enjoying a video call with the people you love the most, you will find an instant serotonin boost when you are surrounded by friends who make you feel great. Make sure that you have friends who are supportive and uplifting as this is bound to fill up your cup in a positive way!
Hopefully, you can find your own flow when it comes to mood-boosting activities so that you are able to feel your very best at all times. Whether you’re chilling out with your favorite movie, or you’re enjoying your daily dose of an online card game, there are no limits to what can bring you joy and spark happiness in your life. As you can see, there is so much for you to explore, so give some of these ideas a try. You never know what you might discover about yourself, so enjoy the journey and embrace the power of feeling super positive!