I have a confession: I am constantly searching, constantly evolving to find the best mood boosters that will instantly pull me out of my mind. funk. Because this is a matter of feeling depressed — it can happen immediately. One moment, you’re walking with a hot girl, feeling most comfortable… but the next? Negative energy wipe you out. Don’t get me wrong: We can’t always be happy, and that shouldn’t be the goal either. But feeling let down doesn’t feel great. So, to reconnect with the lighter side of life, I’ve made a list of my tried, true, and tried-and-true mood boosters.
Remember: There’s no shame in finding yourself in the middle of a fun or a game every now and then – it happens to all of us. The key is to find a few proactive things you can do to help you get out of it quickly and change your mood.
If you’re craving a good laugh or simply need a break from the headlines, these 13 mood boosters are sure to do the trick. Keep scrolling to learn the practices, habits, rituals, and enjoyments that keep me functioning properly, stop my hiccups from taking too long, and quickly return me to a happier, happier person, happier! I have a feeling they will do the same for you
Featured image of Belathee Photography.
1. Journaling Emotions!
When you’re feeling down, you’ll want to distract yourself from those negative feelings by scrolling through social media or finding a show on Netflix in the hopes of easing them. But the truth is, this rarely works really lift my spirits. When I finish my drunken session, my fun is usually still there. Instead, find a journal you love and take a few minutes to write down your thoughts. Allow yourself to openly and honestly express your feelings, work through them, and dig deep into why you feel the way you do.
Getting those negative emotions out on paper and closing them in a journal gives your feelings the attention and expression they deserve. Plus, practice frees your mind from mulling over them. Negative energy is now released, your mind can approach the rest of the day with positivity! Don’t forget to keep that journal in your wallet so you can boost your mood wherever you go.
2. Plan something to work towards
There’s an interesting carrot dangling inside of me calendar makes a big difference in my strength abilities in more difficult moments and days. I find that my pleasures are often lulled by the rhythms of normal weekly life responsibilities — work, meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry, dish washing, parenting the — you know. I stay here very busy With everyday things I often forget to take time to pencil in any of the fun additions to my calendar to get excited. Also, the second I schedule a drink with my husband or a walk around the lake with a friend, my mood is completely different! Even looking forward to it brings a sense of anticipation.
So whether it’s happy hour with your girlfriend, a date night with your partnera special outing with your kids or an exciting six-month vacation, plan something fun you’ll look forward to and put it on your calendar, statistics!
3. Treat yourself to flowers
Everyone knows that there are trees in your space Reduces stress levels and serves as one of the ultimate mood boosters. So go to your favorite florist or grocery store and pick up a few flowers that bring a smile to your face. My personal positive mood palette? Anything yellow or white with a combination of greens. On budget? Baby’s breath (aka Gypsophila) is super affordable, goes a long way, and on its own adds a sweet, cool touch to any space. Back in your home or office, take the time to prune the flowers (the process itself is healing!), divide them into several small vases, and display them where you’ll see them often. I’m all about a guilt-free purchase and keep giving and flowers are all winners – no buyer regrets here!
4. Tidy A Small Space
I believe 100 percent of Gretchen Rubin’s words: Outer order leads to inner calm. And for me, inner calm totally translates into a better mood. So, for a quick pick for me, pick a small space—maybe it’s a desk or the top drawer of a vanity—and clean it up completely. You’ll feel the satisfaction of completing a small, manageable project from start to finish and being able to find things a little easier that will propel you forward with renewed energy.
5. Immerse yourself in nature
Find a place where you can step outside, get some fresh air and look at it Nature. It doesn’t have to be anything special, but something as simple as seeing leaves rustling, hearing the wind blowing, or watching a bee move from flower to flower will slow you down. , calms your mind and makes you feel greater. , beautiful picture. Suddenly, those worries feel a little less intense and your mood lifts. Mother Nature, she’s pretty magical!
6. Take a deep breath
I came across this little exercise the other day, mostly for encouragement attention in children, but I immediately thought – why not for adults? I’ve seen it called the 5 Finger Exercise, the 5 Finger Breathing Exercise, the “Starfish Exercise”, or simply the old-fashioned way of breathing with the hands. Whatever the name, this is a great practice that will quickly and effectively improve your mood by oxygenating your blood, calming your thoughts, and allowing you to be present. present anywhere. Using your index finger, simply trace around the fingers of the opposite hand slowly as you inhale and exhale. As you inhale, trace the outside of your little finger. On the exhale, monitor the other side. Repeat for the next four fingers. If you like it, go ahead and repeat to your heart’s content!
7. Get yourself on the social media fast in 24 hours
In 24 hours, do it. Not. touch. yours social media. Even the most confident among us are susceptible to the negative effects of online comparison games, so try to eliminate any chance for it. Choose a start and stop time, and notice where you lose extra time in the moments in between. Pay attention to where your mind goes, what you find yourself wanting to do, and how you begin to feel. If you’re like me, missing those little updates on friends makes me crave social connections, encouraging me — wait — to call someone and have some lovely, real-life conversations. connect. And as we all know, real social connections and deep relationships are among the best mood boosters around.
8. Learn something new
Lifelong learners, unite! Newsflash: You don’t have to go to school to immerse yourself in a new subject or explore one that can change your worldview. I have a friend who every spring welcomes a season of growth and opportunity by identifying one thing she wants to learn more about. From there, she dived into her head, obsessing over every aspect of her self-designed course. Brainstorming on what field you want to be an expert in can be both energizing and inspiring. Trust me, even if you don’t want to relive your high school years, you’ll want to use this mood booster for a spin.
9. Turn on some fun tunes
I’m the girl who can’t help but move when a fun rhythm hits. I have probably inadvertently confused myself every day in my car at stops and in traffic, and I agree! Why? Because a funny song immediately lifts my mood. So, put on these headphones or create your favorite dance song on Spotify, and I bet you won’t give it a try! Don’t have a dance playlist yet? We’ve got you covered — just hit play on Playlists can and move.
10. Connect with your community
It has been alluded to throughout, but there’s nothing better than purposeful spending time with your family or friends. Call a friend you’ve lost touch with just to see how they’re doing, or email an elderly relative who wants to hear from you. Even just putting your phone away (see mood booster #7) and listening to your kids’ days or your partner’s work can remind you that your own presence is a gift. worthy of receiving.
11. Go on a quick beauty quest
Give yourself five minutes and just one task: Find something beautiful. It could be a pretty leaf you see, a lovely laugh you hear, an enchanting pattern or shadow on the sidewalk, or a catchy song you hear. Not only will you find a few mood boosters that you enjoy, but just the act of looking for small fleeting beauties in your surroundings will help you have a happier view of the world. around.
12. Have fun with food
Sure, some mornings you just can’t be bothered breakfast and weeknights are busy enough without a 30-minute meal on the books. But if time and resources allow, try pausing and really connecting with your hunger, asking yourself what would make you feel satisfied, supported, and filled with joy? If it’s yogurt or cereal bowls, arrange a colorful mix of ingredients to create a visual feast for the eyes. Or, if the salad calls your name, immerse yourself in the feeling gratitude because there are so many new, seasonal options available. Bonus: Cook with friends or family members, enjoying the quality time you can spend in the kitchen.
13. Dream of your brightest future
Visual boarding achieve a paradoxical balance between inspiration and relaxation. Nothing will keep you energized and more appreciative for your journey than charting out the life of your dreams. Take some time to gather magazine clippings, favorite quotes, and documents and objects that connect you to the future you want for yourself. It’s a simple practice, but will take you one step further on the path to transformative growth.
This post was originally published on October 5, 2020, and has since been updated.
