10 simple ways to cheer up and combat stress

Being chronically ill is no laughing matter. It's stressful, tiring, draining, often painful, sometimes expensive, repetitive, frustrating...You could go on and on with the negative talk. However, every so often, I see amazing inspirational stories shared online, by charities or fundraising accounts about how people are getting on with their lives and about incredible achievements.

It's good to have ways to perk yourself up when you're having a bad day (or a bad week) so here's 10 good places to start:

1) Do something therapeutic. Writing is my number one therapy, as you may be able to tell. I write this blog as often as I can , and I also have a lifestyle blog which focuses on other topics. I've found lately that having a really nice notebook to jot down ideas in has motivated me to write more, and this is a big step to feeling refreshed when I'm having a down day, or when my shoulders have been throbbing for ten hours at work.

2) Find an 'easy hobby'. It's all good and well doing something like golf or swimming or taking classes as a hobby to take your mind off of your stresses, but for the chronically ill these kind of things can be a stretch. I've read a bit of stuff about 'laying down hobbies' which sounds like sex, but it actually means things you can just do while lounging on the sofa. My newest hobby is Pinterest. Laying and 'pinning' photos of amazing kitchens and beautiful home decor provides me enough of a distraction to start to feel better about my day. I can also do it in pyjamas in bed or while having a break at work.

3) Go outside. If it's a nice day and you can, go and breathe some outside air, even if only for five minutes.

4) Write a list. When you can't achieve much it's easy to forget about the small things you do get done. A list with even the smallest of tasks on is satisfying to tick off. Shower- TICK.

5) Arrange a moan date. I do this with my friends a lot. We literally gather in my kitchen on a Friday evening to eat food and moan. The moaning soon subsides to laughter and we make each other feel better. If you can't do it in person, do it on Skype! You can even have a glass of wine 'virtually' together.

6) Look into mindfulness. Meditation is something I'm slowly being persuaded to try. I can't say for myself that it's been of help, but my biggest stress is health woes and I've been told by about five different people now that meditation is the answer to feeling calmer. You can get phone apps for it, some for free, so I am going to give it a go. If it's amazing I'll obviously write it on here sometime.

7) Look through old photos. I am addicted to photos and picture albums and even scrolling through tagged photos on Facebook. Looking back on a time or even a single event where you were clearly very happy can remind you that it's not all bad. Good things DO happen.

8) Think about deleting some things that make you stressed. A while ago I culled loads of Facebook I joined about symptoms and illnesses because seeing these everyday on my feed stopped being a form of support and started making me freak out about things I didn't need to. I have re-joined some and found different ones I find more useful and it's much better.

9) Schedule in an hour a few days in advance where you do something for you. A facemask, read for an hour, have a bath, read to your child, go for a walk, online shop, paint your nails, have a nap. Whatever you fancy,

10) Try and have something to look at that cheers you up. Not everyone can continually fill their house with flowers, but what about a framed print with some motivational words? Or even just something funny. Etsy do tonnes of these. This is a personal favourite: