Ten Simple Practices to boost your mood
It’s early, the house is just waking up. You’re not even through your first cup of coffee and you hear the girls fighting in the back room.
“Here we go again.” you think to yourself as you shuffle back there to break it up.
Come back out and your little old dog pooped on the floor… again.
Then you are on your commute to work, running late… again. Already dreading the rest of the day ahead of you.
Without even realizing it, you’re already in an off mood.
Some jerk cut you off, which causes you to spill hot coffee all over your clothes. Being grumpy already, you give him the bird and cruise away.
Your blood starts to boil, you turn on some aggressive music.
Then it hits you.
You are in a bad mood.
No one wants to be in a bad mood. But hey, your human! It happens.
I’m proud of you for realizing it. But now you’re wondering “How do I shake this bad mood? I need to boost my mood quick!”
You’re on your way to work. There’s no time for a hot bath to relax.
You need a simple, quick fix to boost your mood.
Do nothing time!
Wait, what?
How do I have time to do nothing!?!?
I’m already late for work…
Make time. All you need is five minutes.
Get to work, lock yourself in the bathroom if you have to and just sit there.
Do nothing. Give it three minutes, if that’s all you can do.
Allowing yourself to sit peacefully, even just for a few moments, gives us tie to reflect and relax. It has a good potential to quickly boost your mood.
Deep breathing to boost your mood
This is something you can do in the car.
Turn down the tunes and focus on your breathing.
Start with at least five deep breaths.
Breath slow. Five seconds in, five seconds out.
In through your nose. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Out through your mouth. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Stretch
No, you don’t have to break out the yoga mat and go crazy with it.
Just do some simple stretching.
Stretch your hands, arms, legs.
And even better yet, take some deep breaths while stretching
Go for a “walk about”
I’m not talking about the two day “walk about” Crocodile Dundee takes in the movie (although it would be nice!)
If you can, do a little lap around the store, building or office you work in.
If you’re at home, do a lap through the house a time or two. The best walk abouts are done outside when possible.
Get outside to boost your mood
If at all possible, take your walk about outside.
Do a lap around the building, or block!
Or if you don’t want to walk, go outside and take some deep breaths.
Look at the birds and the trees.
Observe an ant crawling on the ground for five minutes. Being outside is a great way to boost your mood.
Practice Mindfulness
Take a moment to look around at your surroundings. Take in everything you see, hear and smell.
(Do this outside if you can!)
Do your best to let go of all thoughts, even for just a moment. Be in the here and now.
Give your mind a chance to freeze all of your racing thoughts. Clear your mind and be where your feet are.
Write/ Talk it out
Call an old trusted friend. Fill them in on your bad day and actually listen when they give you positive advice.
Another option to get it out, is to write it out. If you’re mad at someone, write them a letter with all the things you wish you could say and burn it. A journal is also a great way to get your feelings out.
Cry, laugh, scream if you must, just do whatever it takes to get it out.
Read something uplifting
This could be a book, an article, or even just some uplifting quotes you find online.
Allow yourself to get lost in the words for a moment.
Really feel what you’re reading.
Let the negative thoughts float away and allow the positive thoughts to come forward.
Listen to uplifting music or speeches
Music is great! Whether you listen to rock, country, hip-hop, classical.
Find something that carries a positive message.Sing along, head bang, dance with the music.
I love listening to speeches. It helps to put things in a different perspective.
A lot of motivational speakers come from rough backgrounds. Making you realize, it’s not all that bad.
Take a ten
This is a phrase that’s used in my house A LOT!
When your in a grouchy mood. Take ten minutes away from everyone and everything.
That ten minutes is YOU time.
Use that ten minutes to do what you have to do to boost your mood.
Read, write, and breathe. Do nothing. Do something you love to do. Pick up an old hobby such as knitting or crochet.
In our house, when someone says “I need to take a ten.” That means, leave that person alone for a moment.
We are all only human and it is important we all get a little break from the world, even if only for ten minutes.
