Bad days happen! Especially, with quarantine and social distancing it’s more common than not to have an off day. Whether it be a broken coffee maker, a cranky child, a fight with a loved one, or just an off day, life can sometimes.. For lack of a better term.. SUCK. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading for how to boost your mood – 6 ways to go from blah to yah.
Boost Your Mood and Get Outside
If you’re looking for a simple way to help reduce anxiety, stress and depression, get outside. A 2015 study compared the brain activity of healthy people after they walked for 90 minutes in either an urban setting or a natural setting. They found that those that did the nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is active during rumination – which is defined as repetitive thoughts that focus on negative emotions. Your time with nature can be as simple as a walk in a local park. Just find a place you find pleasing and attempt 20-30 minutes, three times a week! Check out Girl Gone Good here for hiking guides for any age and skill level! She focuses on prioritizing your well-being while exploring everything nature has to offer.
Boost Your Mood and Get Active
Exercise isn’t just about increasing our aerobic capacity or growing our muscles, it has a huge impact on emotional and mental health! Specifically, exercise promotes the creation of chemicals known as endorphins in the brain that improve our mood and make us more relaxed. Exercise also delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain and other body tissues. This allows us to think more clearly and concentrate better. Plus, knowing you are doing something SO GOOD for your overall well-being will definitely make you feel good about yourself. Check out my previous blog post here for quick and easy ways to incorporate exercise into your day.
Boost your Mood with A Hot Shower
I don’t know about you, but I love a good hot shower. I tend to use showers as a reset button. If I find myself stressed out I jump in the shower to clear my head and come out feeling like I can restart my day. Hot water relaxes the body, specifically when hot water comes in contact with a tense body, the hot water increases body temperature and relaxes the muscles. Also, a shower provides a space to take a few deep breaths away from the distractions of life.
Boost Your Mood and Hug Someone You Love
Oxytocin is a chemical in our bodies often known as the “cuddle hormone.” This is because our oxytocin levels rise when we sit close to, touch or hug someone. It has been associated with feelings of happiness and reduced stress as the release of oxytocin causes a decrease in heart rate and drop in the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. So when in doubt … hug it out! I know that this may be hard during quarantine.. but rest assured the time will come that we can all hug our loved ones!
Remember, that our furry friends are always willing to accept our love. So if quarantine is preventing you from hugging your loved ones … hug your four-legged family members instead. Research has shown that petting, hugging, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe you when you’re stressed or anxious. The companionship of a pet can also ease loneliness, and most dogs are a great stimulus for healthy exercise, which can substantially boost your mood!
Boost your Mood with A Deep Breathing Exercise
While we breathe all day long.. It would be concerning if we didn’t, try to think of the last time you took a deep breath. Probably not as frequently as you think! However, deep breathing is one of the easiest and most natural tools we have to relieve stress and anxiety, reduce pain and help with digestion. If you find yourself anxious or stressed out, take a minute or two to take a few deep breaths. When we’re stressed our brain releases cortisol, aka the stress hormone. By taking a few deep breaths your heart rate slows, more oxygen enters the bloodstream and communicates with the brain to relax. Deep breathing also ups your endorphins.
If you’re finding yourself still struggling with overwhelming feelings of stress, check out Brooklyn’s post here for some more tips on how to de-stress your life!
Boost your Mood and Pamper Yourself
Take a half hour to take care of yourself. Do a face mask, paint your nails, or take a bubble bath. Relaxation triggers a genetic response that leads to improved function at a cellular level! Mitochondria, which are the “powerhouse of the cell” become more resilient. Insulin production, which controls energy conversion, is boosted! Taking 20 minutes to relax and do something like a face mask will also trigger the production of the body’s feel good chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin which are connected to better moods, better sleep and pain relief! So the next time you choose to take time for yourself.. Don’t feel guilty! Remember, all the good you’re doing for yourself and those around you too.
Check in time: Six Easy Ways to Boost your Mood
Did any of these work!? Are you feeling less blah?
I do hope this post finds you well! But if you do have an off day check back with this post and remember that there are simple, fun ways to boost your mood and turn your blahs into yahs.
Stay safe and healthy everyone xo.
