10 Effective Ways to Improve Your Mood
There are days when you just feel angry and sad for no reason, and that is perfectly fine. However, it is easy to get frustrated in such a situation, which might end up making you feel much worse. In order not to get lost in the chaos and get your groove back, it is important that you start doing things that will boost your mood!
Fortunately, there is a wide range of options that you can go for. Do you want to know what they are? If so, keep reading! In this article, you will find a list of the most effective ways to improve your mood. Check it out, find a few options that suit your preferences, and change your day for the better!
Take a Hot Shower
What about taking a hot shower? It is a free and easy way to take a break from your daily troubles and rejuvenate your mind and body. If you want to, you can take it a step further and treat yourself to a fancy shower gel and a body scrub, too! It is likely that it will make you feel much better in a matter of minutes!
Make a Cup of Tea or Coffee
Many people think that the act of making a cuppa is really relaxing. In fact, you might turn it into a bit of a ritual that will allow you to forget about the troubles that you are dealing with at the moment. In addition to that, you can sit down and enjoy it with your partner or chilling out with a book or magazine.
Do Something Fun with Your Partner or Kids
We get so tied up with the day to day routines of work, school, housework, weekend activities etc that we forget that we need some off time as well. When was the last time you actually did something “just because”? Throwing a ball around the park, a coffee or lunch at a cafe, a funny movie (I’m looking forward to seeing the Naked Gun shortly), going to the beach, a movie night at home or playing a board game together are a few ideas.
Hug Your Dog
Did you know that hugging or playing with your dog can have a huge impact on your mood? In fact, it can significantly improve your mood by increasing levels of hormones like oxytocin and serotonin (the “feel good hormones”), while simultaneously decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. These interactions can also reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and even combat feelings of loneliness.
Get Outside
Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, while also boosting positive emotions and overall well-being. Even short periods of time outdoors, like a 30-minute walk, can have a noticeable positive impact. While just 10 minutes of being in the sun can boost the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. Sunlight also helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, which influences sleep and mood. AS well as giving our bodies a much needed boost of vitamin D.
Smell Something Nice
Have you ever noticed how pleasant scents like lavender, vanilla, and orange can make you feel happier? If your answer is yes, it is not surprising, as the chemical compounds that cause these plants to smell that way can boost our moods! You can take advantage of that by buying a few essential oils with calming properties and giving these oils a few sniffs. It might sound silly, but it can really do wonders for your mood!
Listen to Energetic Music
Listening to music is one of the most powerful ways to lift one’s spirits. In fact, research has shown that listening to energetic music can boost your mood, while slower music can help you unwind and calm down. Consequently, if you want to feel better, just put on your headphones and look for a playlist with energetic music! We have Our Top 20 Mood Lifting Songs to give you a head start.
Spend Quality Time with Your Friends
It is safe to say that a few hours spent in the company of your closest friends can really lift your mood. Because of that, you should ask your friends to come to your house for a few hours. Then, you can watch movies, eat snacks, and have a great time. It is one of the easiest ways to improve your mood!
Eat Chocolate
It is okay to indulge in chocolate if you are feeling sad, as it contains tryptophan. It is an amino acid that triggers the production of serotonin in the brain, which will make you feel happy and calm. Ideally, you should go for dark chocolate, but other kinds of chocolate are fine as long as they contain a large percentage of cocoa solids.
Breathe Deeply and Meditate
Meditation is a powerful tool that you can use every time you feel down. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that meditation can reduce the symptoms of depression and boost your self-esteem. There are many types of meditation that you can practice, but the easiest one out of the bunch is just sitting down, focusing on your breathing, and trying not to think about anything else for a few minutes. It is that easy!
In Conclusion
To sum up, one of the most important things that you can do to keep your mind and body in great shape is to take care of your mental health. If you are feeling down and unhappy, there are quite a few ways in which you can deal with it and improve your mood, including making a cup of tea and eating chocolate.
There is no reason to let sadness get the best of you! Instead, you just need to do your research and find a few things that make you feel better. If you put in the effort, you should be able to boost your mood in no time!
