Recalibrate Your Mood + Mindset
1. Go outside
Keeping yourself indoors all day can make you feel anxious and unhappy. The University of Vermont study found that those who lived in urban areas used happier words on Twitter and were less negative after visiting a park than they were before. When you're feeling down, try to get some fresh air and sunlight, even if it means just sitting on your patio for a few minutes.
2. Walk the right way
Consider taking a stroll since you're already outside anyway. The simple act of taking a stroll in the park can boost your mood, but when you're on your stroll, be sure to keep a positive attitude. Researchers discovered that slumping with little arm movement and walking as if you are unhappy can negatively affect your mood when compared to walking in a bouncy or upright manner.
3. Hang out with positive people.
Even if you don't always see the bright side, spending time with someone who is more optimistic can be reassuring when you're down. The University of Warwick found that you can sense the mood of your friends and that their moods can even be contagious. The next time you need a new perspective, call your friend who always looks on the bright side.
4. Have a balanced diet
The benefits of a healthy diet are many, but one that we'd like to highlight is that it can improve your mood as well as your health. According to Dr Joseph Firth, who analyzed data from nearly 46,000 people, eating a healthy diet can make you happier and reduce depression symptoms. So for dinner try reaching for something high in nutrients and antioxidants!
5. Be kind to others!
Remember that glass-half-full friend we discussed earlier and be a positive influence in someone else's life. It is more important to make others feel better than to try to make ourselves feel better, according to Iowa State University researchers. Kindness, they found, reduces anxiety, improves happiness, and makes people feel more connected to other people. Whenever a loved one experiences success, send them a congratulatory card, compliment their shoes, or write a great LinkedIn recommendation for them. Performing these acts takes just minutes, or even seconds, and leads to a happier mood for everyone.
6. Be active
Exercise gives you endorphins. They make you feel happy. Exercise is good for both your physical and mental health and can reduce stress, improve sleep, increase self-esteem, give control, and boost your mood. That's a lot of benefits for a few minutes of running or a few minutes in the gym a couple of times a week!
7. Sleep On It
I guess this one is a bit of a Catch-22. The combination of stress and anxiety can result in insomnia, which can exacerbate feelings of depression and irritability. A good night's sleep can help alleviate those feelings. If you have had a rough day, try to sleep early instead of zoning out before Netflix. So, if you're having difficulty sleeping, hopefully, you can get a few extra hours into your day.
8. Figure out what you love.
Do you remember your hobbies? There seems to be a decline in their frequency, but that shouldn't be the case. A hobby can be fun, mentally stimulating, and make you feel accomplished, confident, and happier. Consider taking up a new hobby!
9. Be at peace with yourself
Meditation offers plenty of health benefits, so let's re-hash it: there are plenty of reasons to meditate. The practice of meditation, like all of these suggestions, cannot eliminate the source of stress, but it can help manage the effects it has on your body. Meditation can lead to a state of deep relaxation, increased focus, and fewer nervous thoughts if you find a meditation practice that allows you to focus your attention inward. If you find it hard to meditate at first, don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries. It is beneficial to set aside 10 minutes a day for meditation so that you can focus on your breathing.
10. Engage your five senses.
Moods can be positively influenced by aromatherapy, so why not put a relaxing scent in your diffuser? If you need a quick boost, you can keep a rollerball blend of essential oils at your desk or in your purse. The power of sound is also significant. Upbeat music is proven to make us feel better, so turn on your favorite happy tunes and experience the benefits!
Keeping yourself indoors all day can make you feel anxious and unhappy. The University of Vermont study found that those who lived in urban areas used happier words on Twitter and were less negative after visiting a park than they were before. When you're feeling down, try to get some fresh air and sunlight, even if it means just sitting on your patio for a few minutes.
2. Walk the right way
Consider taking a stroll since you're already outside anyway. The simple act of taking a stroll in the park can boost your mood, but when you're on your stroll, be sure to keep a positive attitude. Researchers discovered that slumping with little arm movement and walking as if you are unhappy can negatively affect your mood when compared to walking in a bouncy or upright manner.
3. Hang out with positive people.
Even if you don't always see the bright side, spending time with someone who is more optimistic can be reassuring when you're down. The University of Warwick found that you can sense the mood of your friends and that their moods can even be contagious. The next time you need a new perspective, call your friend who always looks on the bright side.
4. Have a balanced diet
The benefits of a healthy diet are many, but one that we'd like to highlight is that it can improve your mood as well as your health. According to Dr Joseph Firth, who analyzed data from nearly 46,000 people, eating a healthy diet can make you happier and reduce depression symptoms. So for dinner try reaching for something high in nutrients and antioxidants!
5. Be kind to others!
Remember that glass-half-full friend we discussed earlier and be a positive influence in someone else's life. It is more important to make others feel better than to try to make ourselves feel better, according to Iowa State University researchers. Kindness, they found, reduces anxiety, improves happiness, and makes people feel more connected to other people. Whenever a loved one experiences success, send them a congratulatory card, compliment their shoes, or write a great LinkedIn recommendation for them. Performing these acts takes just minutes, or even seconds, and leads to a happier mood for everyone.
6. Be active
Exercise gives you endorphins. They make you feel happy. Exercise is good for both your physical and mental health and can reduce stress, improve sleep, increase self-esteem, give control, and boost your mood. That's a lot of benefits for a few minutes of running or a few minutes in the gym a couple of times a week!
7. Sleep On It
I guess this one is a bit of a Catch-22. The combination of stress and anxiety can result in insomnia, which can exacerbate feelings of depression and irritability. A good night's sleep can help alleviate those feelings. If you have had a rough day, try to sleep early instead of zoning out before Netflix. So, if you're having difficulty sleeping, hopefully, you can get a few extra hours into your day.
8. Figure out what you love.
Do you remember your hobbies? There seems to be a decline in their frequency, but that shouldn't be the case. A hobby can be fun, mentally stimulating, and make you feel accomplished, confident, and happier. Consider taking up a new hobby!
9. Be at peace with yourself
Meditation offers plenty of health benefits, so let's re-hash it: there are plenty of reasons to meditate. The practice of meditation, like all of these suggestions, cannot eliminate the source of stress, but it can help manage the effects it has on your body. Meditation can lead to a state of deep relaxation, increased focus, and fewer nervous thoughts if you find a meditation practice that allows you to focus your attention inward. If you find it hard to meditate at first, don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries. It is beneficial to set aside 10 minutes a day for meditation so that you can focus on your breathing.
10. Engage your five senses.
Moods can be positively influenced by aromatherapy, so why not put a relaxing scent in your diffuser? If you need a quick boost, you can keep a rollerball blend of essential oils at your desk or in your purse. The power of sound is also significant. Upbeat music is proven to make us feel better, so turn on your favorite happy tunes and experience the benefits!