The best way to boost your mood is to practice mindfulness, exercise, and help others. Life is full of mood swings, and although it’s natural to feel down sometimes, it’s never pleasant and likely won’t give you the best day.
A clinical assistant professor, Ruth Ellingsen, says you can’t just tell yourself to feel better. Still, you can change your thoughts and behavior. Ellingsen suggests identifying your mood first, which is the first step to turning it around.
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Ellingsen said, “It sounds simple but involves being mindful of our current state. Most of us ignore our emotions as we go about our daily lives, which makes it hard to improve our moods.”
You can quickly turn your mood around by employing some simple strategies. Here are a few ways.
Practice Breathing Exercises
A physiological sigh is composed of two rapid inhalations and one long exhalation. Gregory Sullivan, the director of the positive coaching and athletic leadership masters program, said, “Using our breath is one tool we all have available to us.” He suggests two breathing exercises when you’re feeling down.
Take Time To Enjoy The Outdoors
There is ample evidence that nature benefits mental health – time spent outdoors can lower stress levels, lower anxiety, and, generally, make you happier. Getting outside and changing your perspective can sometimes change your mood rather quickly.
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Don’t Lose Sight Of The Moment
Ellingsen says we often think about the past or worry about the future when we’re in a bad mood. Experts estimate that 90 percent of things we fear will never happen. Most worries that contribute to your mood are usually pointless.
Bad Moods Are Normal, But You Should Know The Warning Signs
Snapping out of a bad mood isn’t always possible. A mood disorder diagnosis, for example, can affect moods as well. For at least two weeks, imagine feeling sad most of the day. Alayna L. Park, an assistant professor of psychology, said it’s worth talking to a therapist.