7 Things You Can do to Boost Your Mood ASAP

After hearing some unfavorable news, are you feeling a little down? Are you attempting to overcome your Sunday (or Monday) blues? You’re having a dreadful, horrible, no good, very bad (or even just a little meh) day, aren’t you?

Even small setbacks and irritations can throw off your routine, make you miserable, and make you entirely uninterested in the things you need to do or want to do. You are aware that you need a little boost to get through the day without incident, but you are unsure of exactly how to feel better.

That is completely natural; emotional distress need not be severe in order to make finding solutions challenging. But when a poor mood is allowed to fester, it frequently explodes, making you feel worse.

There is nothing wrong with momentarily putting your poor mood’s cause aside to concentrate on something that makes you feel happy. Ignoring your bad moods won’t make the feeling go away either.

You might try the seven suggestions listed below to help lift your spirits.

Bonus: None of these will cost you anything.

Go for a stroll in the park

A little stroll through the neighborhood park or other green space can do wonders to lift your spirits. In fact, taking a walk outdoors increases the release of “happy hormones,” the chemical messengers that help control mood.

A quick 10-minute walk will boost blood flow to your brain and energize you, relieving symptoms of exhaustion and sluggishness if the mid-afternoon slump or a late night has you feeling a little down. Additionally, walking can lower your body’s level of stress hormones and trigger the release of endorphins, which are hormones that reduce stress, pain, and discomfort.

Of course, sunlight also has advantages. Just 10 or 15 minutes in the sun can increase endorphin production and serotonin production, providing a significant amount of mood-enhancing chemicals. Additionally, if you’ve been sitting in a dark environment, natural light may make you feel more energized and awake.

Don’t forget about nature, either.

More and more evidence points to the fact that people with better moods generally tend to spend more time outdoors or view photos or videos of nature when going outside is not an option.

Laugh more

There’s a reason why so many lecturers and other public speakers like to start out with a joke or clever observation. When a group laughs together, stress is reduced, and everyone feels a bit more energized, and frequently, a little closer.

Also effective on a personal level is laughter. Humor can help you release tension and put you in a better mood if you’re feeling a little apprehensive or stressed about anything, like a big presentation at work or a difficult conversation with a loved one.

It could be difficult to make yourself laugh out loud when you don’t feel particularly hilarious. Try these if your usual sources of humor don’t seem to make you laugh much:

–Watch funny videos: Confused as to what to watch? Visit YouTube to view a variety of Vine compilations; these short films are made to make you laugh immediately.

-Look up skit makers: There are lots of skitmakers on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Tik-Tok. When you need to have a good laugh just visit any of these sites and look for Skitmakers like Sydney Talker, Carta Efe, NastyBlaq, or Samspedy Comedy. I am very sure you’ll get hooked and won’t want to leave immediately.

Share Jokes: With buddies or at work? Pose the question “Does anyone know any good jokes?” or “Do you have a favorite joke or two?”

Take up aromatherapy

Your amygdala, a region of the brain that aids in emotion regulation, can communicate with you directly through your sense of smell. Because of this, aromas that bring back pleasant or nostalgic memories frequently aid in calming tension and anxiety. The relationship between your brain and sense of smell may also contribute to the explanation of why smelling pleasant things might make you feel happy.

Although you don’t always need to buy essential oils to reap these advantages, aromatherapy often refers to the use of essential oils to enhance mood or mental health. You may already have certain scents that uplift your mood in your house or workplace:

–You may have a preferred scented soap or lotion. Spend a moment deliberately washing your hands or quickly massaging your shoulders and arms with fragrant lotion.

-Are you depressed because you miss a loved one? Smell a fragrance that makes you think of them.

-Do your neighbors have beautiful gardens? Go for a quick stroll and truly smell the roses. In the wild, you might also come across lavender, jasmine, honeysuckle, rosemary, and sage.

-To smell vanilla, cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice, go to the kitchen. Alternately, cut a lemon and breathe in the scent.

You should hug yourself.

When you’re struggling with a bad mood and other problems, it’s perfectly normal to seek out the physical and emotional support of the people in your life. You may even be aware that physical contact, such as hugs, can cause your body to release oxytocin and make you feel more connected to your loved ones.

However, what happens when your mood deteriorates in a situation when you are unable to easily access that comfort?

Perhaps you suddenly start to feel depressed, overwhelmed, or just plain awful at work or in a group of strangers. The only one available to do the honors is you, even if a comforting embrace seems to be exactly what you need to improve your attitude.

Although it might seem foolish, giving oneself a hug might be the answer. Touch, including your own, can reduce tension and make you feel secure and at ease. It can also encourage self-kindness and compassion, both of which can open the door to a happier mood.

Wrapping your arms around yourself and holding for a few seconds, as you would when hugging someone else, is all it takes to give oneself a hug.

Amplify the music

Imagine this: You’re performing a chore you don’t particularly enjoy, such as cleaning your home or organizing documents. You prefer to stream music or listen to a radio and play your favorite songs in the background.

Your ears perk up when the song switches because you can hear the opening notes of one of your favorite tunes. You feel energized by the lively, upbeat song. You tap your foot to the music, singing along in your head as you turn back to your activity with renewed vigor.

That sudden change in mood surprised you. In truth, music can provide a variety of advantages.

The music you are listening to can help you:

Ease stress and tension
Reduce anxiety
Promote a healthy brain and boost your memory power
Improve mood and stabilize your emotions
Improves your focus

A playlist of your favorite songs can do the magic if you are really in the mood to do your job.

Be kind to people

Perhaps you feel confined or stuck since there is nothing you can do right now to alter your current circumstances. Try focusing your attention on someone else instead of yourself in order to avoid falling into a downward cycle of tension and concern.

Making someone else’s day a bit better and putting a smile on their face could lift their spirits and possibly lift your own. You may feel happier just by realizing that you have improved someone else’s day.

Several things you can do:

Ask your colleagues if they need help
Ease the burden of your friend or partner by helping them with household chores
Leave behind a positive review of one of your favorite spots or restaurant

Contact a loved one

A little note of love and support may do wonders for elevating your spirits, whether you’ve just finished a long and exhausting day or have a worrisome occasion hovering over you.

Your spirits can be lifted and other emotional tension released by even a brief conversation with your loving partner, best friend, or favorite sibling.

A loved one can:

Offer you words of encouragement
Can make you laugh
Listen to your frustrations
Remind you that you always have their support

Can’t call anyone at the moment? Your mood can change even after a brief text or chat exchange. Of course, you know they’re there for you, but sometimes you just need a personal joke, hilarious GIF, or emoji chain to serve as a reminder.

The conclusion

It’s completely normal to occasionally require a small boost to your mood, so don’t worry about it. There are several things you may do to help negative emotions leave you; they usually pass quickly.

On the other hand, a persistently pessimistic attitude can point to something a little more serious. Speaking with a therapist is always a wise course of action if you experience persistent fluctuations in your mood and well-being and measures like those mentioned above appear to have little impact.

Author

Esther Mosunmola

An avid health professional with more than three decades of experience. I love writing and shedding light with my discipline which enables everyone I influence leave a more better and healthier lifestyle. 😊

View all posts

Author

How to Stay Motivated when Depressed

How to better manage stress as a woman

7 best ways to reduce anxiety fast