In a world where the stresses of everyday living seem to overwhelm each of us every day, it may seem hard to boost your mood. You may get home from a tough day at the office and just want to plop down on the couch and do nothing. Or when you do get home, you may have a whole second job waiting for you – getting dinner ready, getting homework done, or doing laundry. Sometimes you may think a good night’s sleep may just be the answer and sometimes you may think you don’t even have the time for that!
Well, there are some easy ways in which you can boost your mood without spending a whole lot of time or money (after all, we all know money can’t buy happiness, right?) but that can provide you with the lift you need.
- Take time for yourself in reflection – whether it is by immersing yourself in that good book you have been meaning to read, or putting on your headphones and listening to great music. You may even consider time for a light-hearted hobby. Something you do JUST FOR YOU. Author Richard Carlson had the right idea with his successful Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff series of books. How about one of those for a jumpstart?
- Find your spiritual side – this can be through the power of prayer but it doesn’t have to be a religious experience. Yoga maybe? Or just time for meditative thought can boost your mood spiritually as well.
- Do a good deed – in the movie The Bucket List, Morgan Freeman’s character, Carter, tells Edward Cole, played by Jack Nicholson, that there are two questions the gods ask to ascertain whether someone is admissible to heaven: “Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others?” You would be surprised at how much joy you will both give and get by, say, volunteering with a child or at a shelter or nursing home.
- Spend time remembering good times – look through photos and videos of happy times.
- Shop smart – go out for a while and be deliberate in your shopping trip. Make it fun, not expensive. Or better yet, go to lunch or a concert with a friend.
- Sing in the shower – not only will the warm water brighten your mood, but belting out a great song has amazing power for being uplifting.
- Lighten up – literally! Living in an environment of bright light inside and out has been tested in various light therapies and has been proven to help anyone’s mood.
- Kiss your mate – not only is it fun, kissing has proven health powers through the release of dopamines which lighten your mood. And, did you know that kissing helps your heart too? Research shows a reduction in cholesterol counts in people who smooch!
- Keep track of good things – at the end of each day, make a conscious effort to write down three good things that happened that day. Concentrating on the good stuff helps you forget any of the negativity you may have encountered.
- And finally – exercise! – motion is a great way to make you feel better, both physically and emotionally, so remember this: To change your emotions, get in MOTION!
The Tung Brush and Gel team wants its customers to be happy and healthy. These pointers are sure to help you fight summertime heat, rainy day blues, or just the stresses of everyday life. And, you never know – you may just find a new hobby or favorite author in the process!
Source: Prevention
