Accumulate Positives

Source: APA.org The following list contains many activities to choose from. Feel free to either select pleasant activities from the list or add your own ideas.

1. Doing yoga

2. Dressing up for fun

3. Contributing to religious, charitable, or other groups

4. Taking a trip to the countryside

5. Talking about sports

6. Meeting someone new

7. Taking tests when well prepared

8. Going to a concert

9. Playing baseball or softball

10. Planning trips or vacations

11. Buying things for myself

12. Being at the beach

13. Doing artwork (painting, sculpture, drawing, movie-making, etc.)

14. Rock climbing or mountaineering

15. Reading the Scriptures or other sacred works

16. Playing golf

17. Taking part in military activities

18. Rearranging or redecorating my room or house

19. Going naked

20. Going to a sports event

21. Reading a “Do it Yourself” article

22. Doing a “Do it Yourself” project

23. Going to the races (horse, car, boat, etc.)

24. Reading

25. Going to a bar, tavern, club, etc.

26. Going to lectures or hearing speakers

27. Driving skillfully

28. Breathing clean air

29. Thinking up or arranging a song or music

30. Meditating

31. Boating (canoeing, kayaking, motor-boating, sailing, etc.)

32. Pleasing a friend or family member

33. Restoring antiques, finishing furniture, etc.

34. Watching TV

35. Talking to myself

36. Camping

37. Working in politics

38. Working on machines (cars, bikes, motorcycles, tractors, etc.)

39. Thinking about something good in the future

40. Playing cards41. Completing a difficult task

42. Laughing

43. Solving a problem, puzzle, crossword, etc.

44. Being at weddings, baptisms, confirmations, etc.

45. Shaving

46. Having lunch with friends or associates

47. Playing tennis

48. Taking a shower

49. Driving long distances

50. Woodworking, carpentry

51. Writing short stories, novels, plays, or poetry

52. Being with animals

53. Riding in an airplane

54. Exploring (hiking away from known routes, spelunking, etc.)

55. Having a frank and open conversation

56. Singing in a group

57. Thinking about myself or my problems

58. Working on my job

59. Going to a party

60. Going to church functions (socials, classes, bazaars, etc.)

61. Speaking a foreign language

62. Going to services, civic, or social club meetings

63. Going to a business meeting or a convention

64. Being in a sporty or expensive car

65. Playing a musical instrument

66. Making snacks

67. Skiing

68. Being helped

69. Combing or brushing my hair

70. Acting

71. Taking a nap

72. Being with friends

73. Canning, freezing, making preserves, etc.

74. Making art

75. Solving a personal problem

76. Being in a city

77. Taking a bath

78. Singing to myself

79. Making food or crafts to sell or give away

80. Playing pool or billiards

81. Being with my grandchildren

82. Playing chess or checkers

83. Doing craft work (pottery, jewelry, leather, beads, weaving etc.)

84. Putting on makeup, fixing my hair, etc.

85. Designing or drafting

86. Visiting people who are sick, shut in, or in trouble87. Cheering, rooting

88. Bowling

89. Being popular at a gathering

90. Watching wild animals

91. Gardening, landscaping, or doing yard work

92. Reading essays or technical, academic, or professional literature

93. Wearing new clothes

94. Dancing

95. Sitting in the sun

96. Riding a motorcycle

97. Just sitting and thinking

98. Seeing good things happen to my family or friends

99. Going to a fair, carnival, circus, zoo, or

amusement park

100. Talking about philosophy or religion

101. Planning or organizing something

102. Having a drink by myself

103. Listing to the sounds of nature

104. Dating

105. Having a lively talk

106. Racing in a car, motorcycle, boat, etc.

107. Listening to the radio

108. Having friends come to visit

109. Playing in a sporting competition

110. Introducing people I think would like each other

111. Giving gifts

112. Going to school or government meetings, court sessions, etc.

113. Getting massages or backrubs

114. Watching the sky, clouds, or a storm

115. Improving my health (having my teeth fixed, getting new glasses, beginning an exercise

program, changing my diet, etc.)

116. Being downtown

117. Wrestling or boxing

118. Playing in a musical group

119. Hiking

120. Going to a museum or exhibit

121. Writing papers, essays, articles, reports, memos, etc.

122. Doing a job well

123. Having spare time

124. Fishing

125. Loaning something

126. Being noticed as sexually attractive

127. Pleasing employers, teachers, etc.

128. Counseling someone

129. Going to a health club, spa, etc.

130. Learning to do something new131. Going to a “Drive-in” (Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, etc.)

132. Complimenting or praising someone

133. Thinking about people I like

134. Being at a fraternity or sorority

135. Being with my parents

136. Horseback riding

137. Protesting social, political, or environmental conditions

138. Talking on the telephone

139. Having daydreams

140. Kicking leaves, sand, pebbles, etc.

141. Playing lawn sports (badminton, croquet, shuffleboard, horseshoes, etc.)

142. Going to school reunions, alumni meetings, etc.

143. Seeing famous people

144. Going to the movies

145. Kissing

146. Being alone

147. Budgeting my time

148. Cooking meals

149. Outwitting a “superior”

150. Feeling the presence of the Lord in my life

151. Doing a project in my own way

152. Doing “odd jobs” around the house

153. Crying

154. Being at a family reunion or get-together

155. Giving a party or get-together

156. Washing my hair

157. Coaching someone

158. Going to a restaurant

159. Seeing or smelling a flower or plant

160. Being invited out

161. Receiving honors (civic, military, etc.)

162. Using cologne, perfume, or aftershave

163. Having someone agree with me

164. Reminiscing, talking about old times

165. Getting up early in the morning

166. Having peace and quiet

167. Doing experiments or other scientific work

168. Visiting friends

169. Writing in a diary

170. Playing football

171. Being counseled

172. Saying prayers

173. Giving massages or backrubs

174. Doing favors for people

175. Talking with people on the job or in class

176. Being relaxed177. Offering help or advice

178. Thinking about other people’s problems

179. Playing board games (Monopoly, Scrabble, etc.)

180. Sleeping soundly at night

181. Doing heavy outdoor work (cutting or chopping wood, clearing land, farm work, etc.)

182. Reading the newspaper

183. Snowmobiling or dune-buggy riding

184. Being in a body-awareness, sensitivity, therapy, or “rap” group

185. Playing ping-pong

186. Brushing my teeth

187. Swimming

188. Running, jogging, or doing gymnastics, fitness, or field exercises

189. Walking barefoot

190. Playing Frisbee or catch

191. Doing housework or laundry; cleaning things

192. Being with my roommate

193. Listening to music

194. Arguing a point

195. Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or fancy needlework

196. Amusing people

197. Going to a barber or beautician

198. Having house guests

199. Being with someone I love

200. Reading magazines

201. Sleeping late

202. Starting a new project

203. Finishing a project

204. Having sexual relations

205. Having other sexual satisfactions

206. Going to the library

207. Playing soccer, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, etc.

208. Preparing a new or special food

209. Bird watching

210. Shopping

211. Watching people

212. Building or watching a fire

213. Winning an argument

214. Selling or trading something

215. Finishing a project or task

216. Confessing or apologizing

217. Repairing things

218. Working with others as a team

219. Bicycling

220. Giving direction to others

221. Being with happy people

222. Playing party games223. Writing letters, cards, or notes

224. Talking about politics or public affairs

225. Asking for help or advice

226. Going to banquets, luncheons, potlucks, etc.

227. Talking about my hobby or special interest

228. Smiling at people

229. Playing in sand, a stream, the grass, etc.

230. Being with my husband, wife, or partner

231. Going on field trips, nature walks, etc.

232. Expressing my love to someone

233. Caring for houseplants

234. Having coffee, tea, etc., with friends

235. Taking a walk

236. Collecting things

237. Playing handball, paddleball, squash, etc.

238. Sewing

239. Remembering a departed friend or loved one, visiting the cemetery

240. Doing things with children

241. Beachcombing

242. Eating snacks

243. Staying up late

244. Having family members or friends do something that makes me proud of them

245. Being with my children

246. Going to auctions, garage sales, etc.

247. Thinking about an interesting question

248. Doing volunteer work, working on community service projects

249. Water skiing, surfing, scuba diving

250. Defending or protecting someone; stopping fraud or abuse

251. Hearing a good sermon

252. Winning a competition

253. Making a new friend

254. Talking about my job or school

255. Reading cartoons, comic strips, or comic books

256. Borrowing something

257. Traveling with a group

258. Seeing old friends

259. Teaching someone

260. Using my strength

261. Traveling

262. Going to office parties or department get-togethers

263. Attending a concert, opera, or ballet

264. Playing with pets

265. Going to a play

266. Looking at the stars or moon

267. Being coached

268. Getting a massage269. Going out to eat

270. Eating a favorite food

271. Cooking a healthy meal

272. Going on a picnic

273. Sitting in a peaceful place

274. Listening to educational tapes, relaxation tapes, or audio books

275. Taking a long weekend

276. Playing a video or computer game

277. Surfing the internet

278. Listening to music

279. Gardening

280. Planning a vacation

281. Going to a movie

282. Watching a video