Top 5 Ways To Cheer Up With Disney

As much as we all want to live in a world where all of our dreams come true, where everything is perfect, most of us have to face a little thing called reality.  Unfortunately, reality is far from perfect and comes with its daily issues and challenges.  Sometimes it can be a little much for people and can make them feel sad, upset or angry; overall a variety of unpleasant emotions.  However when you get to feeling that way, there are plenty of ways to cheer up - everything from realizing all that you have to be thankful for, participating in an activity you enjoy, spending time with friends and family, the possibilities are endless.  Still, it can be a struggle at times to cheer up from whatever is bringing you down.  I have personally struggled with anxiety and depression for years.  It's not something I'm ashamed of, but rather I know it has made me who I am.  There are many things I do to try and feel better when its bringing me down and this week, I'm going to share with you my top 5 favourite ways to cheer up using Disney.

1) Read Disney Quotes
Walt Disney said many inspiring things over the years.  You can find his quotes in so many places about all different things.  I personally have a coffee mug that says "Who says you have to grow up?"  He was all about giving hope and letting out that inner child.  There are also plenty of quotes from every Disney movie that can also make you feel better and give you hope.  Here are a list of some of my favourite Disney quotes:

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them," Walt Disney

"If you can dream it, you can do it," Walt Disney

"Have faith in your dreams, and someday your rainbow will come shining through," Cinderella, Cinderella

"Hakuna Matata," Timon and Pumbaa, The Lion King

"Everything in the forest has its season. Where one thing falls, another grows. Maybe not what was there before, but something new and wonderful all the same," Bambi's Mother, Bambi

"The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up," Timothy Mouse, Dumbo 

2) Listen to Disney Music
Music has the power to do many things, including cheering people up.  Disney has many wonderful songs to cheer people up.  There are songs about love, friendship and so much more that can remind you of happier days.  I enjoy listening to romantic songs, which remind me not only of the classic Disney love stories, but also reminds me of my own.  Those sweet, happy memories can really help you when you're down and just put a nice smile on your face.

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http://fernl.deviantart.com/

However, one of the best type of Disney songs to listen to when you're feeling down is a big show stopping number.  These are the songs that will get you dancing and singing along to the words that you know and love.  They get you so energized and happy that you can forget why you were even down in the first place.  Some of my favourite ones to listen to include "Under The Sea" from The Little Mermaid, "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and The Beast and "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King.  

3) Watch a Disney Movie
You've listened to the songs, now how about watching the movies?  Watching any movie can distract you and usually help cheer you up, but a Disney one can definitely make you happier.  There are so many great choices, whether you're looking for classically animated, Pixar or live action style.  Personally, I enjoy the classically animated ones the most.  I usually like to watch something I haven't seen in a while and then snuggle up with a warm blanket, relax on my comfy couch and get lost in the magic.  It's very easy to get right into in all of the storytelling, characters and songs.  By the time the movie is done, how can you not feel better?

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

4) Remember your Last Disney Vacation
One thing that really helps to cheer up when you're feeling down is to remember happier times.  And why not remember your last trip to the happiest place on Earth, Disney World, or any Disney vacation hot spot.  I find it particularly relaxing to remember our Disney Cruise vacation, especially the time we spent on Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island.  I close my eyes and just imagine that I'm back there, sinking my feet in the soft white sand, hearing the sound of the water as it swooshes and splashes, smelling the Caribbean air and enjoying sight of the beach for miles.  Thinking about those memories of being in that beautiful place is so relaxing.

Serenity Bay at Castaway Cay
Photo from personal collection

Of course it wasn't just about the beaches.  There were so many wonderful things to think about with my last vacation, including the food, the characters, the shows, the activities and so much more.  Every sight was incredible and a new experience that I could not wait to try out.  The magic of a Disney vacation really is like no other and it can really bring a smile to your face to relieve those memories.

5) Start Planning your Next Disney Vacation
So now that memories are fresh from a previous fun Disney vacation, why not start to plan the next one?  Think of the memories you can create in the future and the new things you can experience.  For instance when my husband Scott and I were last at Disney World, New Fantasyland was still a couple months away from opening.  Next time we go, we're going to check it out and experience all of the new attractions, which happen to be from my favourite movies, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.  We also plan to spend much more time in the parks and checking out other new things, including the new Art of Animation resort.

Planning all of these details can be fun and give you something to look forward to.  Knowing that you're going to get to go on this once-in-a-lifetime trip can give you that motivation and push to do just about anything.  It can also give you the determination to work harder to get there.  While saving for our cruise, I found it very difficult at times to get through days at work but knowing that we were going on this Disney adventure kept me going forward.

Scott and I with Mickey and Minnie at the Magic Kingdom
Photo from personal collection

So those are my top five ways to cheer up with the help of Disney magic.  I hope they help you when you're having a bad day or are just feeling plain miserable.  I have found comfort in all of these ways and clung to the hope that it will get better.  Fairy tales and happily ever afters do happen, it's just that some days you really have to work at it.  In the end, it's all worth it to see the magic and happiness within your own life, with the help of a little Disney!