We all need a mood boost now and again. Whether we have received some bad news, endured stress at home or at work, or are struggling to adapt to a situation out of our control, our mood can take a hit.
What many people do not realise is that mood is not purely psychological, it can also have an impact on physical wellbeing. Studies have shown that high levels of stress and low mood can have a negative impact on sleep, health conditions, and even immunity.
While some occasional dips in mood are inevitable, it is helpful to try to get back on track.
For severe or sustained low mood, please seek the advice and care of a medical professional. But for occasional mild low mood, feeling run down or negative, why not try the tips below to feel better and instantly boost your mood?
1) Hit ‘Pause’
If you are run down or exhausted, you are more likely to experience low mood. You can help to fight this by hitting ‘pause’ on your activities and resting effectively. Take a day, an afternoon, or even just an hour to yourself and try to rest both physically and mentally.
This can mean doing something you enjoy, or doing nothing at all. Try to limit anything stressful or overly stimulating — from social media, to work emails or caffeine, everyone is different.
The important thing is to feel like there are no demands on you, and that you are taking this time to refresh, recharge, and ‘refill your cup’.
Recent studies have shown that many people’s sleep is declining in quality. The influence of social media, blue light from screens, erratic working hours and more can all have an impact.
Try to separate your work and home life where possible, consider setting limits for your screen time, and prioritise resting effectively. It may sound counterintuitive, but your productivity — and your mood — will greatly improve if you find the right way to rest!
2) Refresh Your Space
A cluttered, dirty, or untidy space can have an impact on feelings of negativity and overwhelm. Ensure that your space is clean and tidy where possible, and try to surround yourself with useful or attractive items that boost your mood.
These might be ornaments, games, books, photographs of family, or even just your favourite coffee mug.
If you are short on time or in need of a deep clean, you may wish to consider hiring a professional to clean your home and refresh your space. This can be especially helpful, as your home environment may be filled with all kinds of nasty germs which won’t be doing your health any good.
3) Learn a New Skill
Trying something new or perfecting a skill can be a great way to boost your mood. This is because it not only stimulates the brain and may lead to a release of ‘happy hormones’ such as serotonin, but it can also boost self-esteem.
When we feel capable, stimulated, and confident — such as when learning a new skill — our mood is naturally better as a result.
Learning a new skill could be as simple as enjoying a hobby online such as painting or photography, or as elaborate as completing a professional training course.
New skills are fun, sociable, and productive — and may even boost your career!
4) Nourish and Hydrate
It may sound simple, but ensuring that we have adequate food and hydration can be key in managing mood. Mood can be affected by changes in blood sugar, hunger, and dehydration — leading to feelings of tiredness, irritability, and even confusion.
Ensuring that you are eating regularly — especially nutrient-dense foods such as fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains — can help to stabilise your mood and energy levels while boosting your immune system.
Also ensure that you are drinking water or herbal teas to hydrate as opposed to sugary or highly caffeinated drinks such as sodas and coffee. These can be diuretics, only serving to dehydrate us further.
With healthy foods and regular hydration, we can boost our mood by feeling alert and satiated throughout our busy day.
5) Connect
They say that a problem shared is a problem halved. There is perhaps no greater mood booster than connecting with a friend or family member, and this can be achieved in a variety of ways.
If you are unable to see them in person, consider arranging a phone call or video call to look forward to. Send a fun postcard, gift, or even just a quick text to let them know you are thinking about them.
Connecting with others and being honest about our feelings is one of the most effective and meaningful ways to boost mood and overall wellbeing.
This article was written by Holly Jackson of Daily Sun
