How to uplift your mood every day?
Staying home in the pandemic has brought some serious changes to our lifestyles. While some of us are working from home, many of us are unemployed and a few have to struggle to make it to work every day. Today, when ‘going out and clearing our head’ is no longer a choice for most of us, staying indoors with a few familiar faces is the only option. It could be difficult and stressful, especially for people like me, who spent most of the hours outside their homes. If you are the ones described above, here are some tips which might help you uplift your mood.
Say ‘thank you’ more often
Expressing gratitude for the little acts that those who you share your space with do for you, can bring smiles and help build a positive relationship. This sheer act of kindness not only gets you a point for being a better person but boosts happiness and is said to reduce depression. It is said that happiness is contagious. The positivity others feel when they are appreciated is said to make you feel good too. So next time when your sister gets water for you or your mother serves you food, say thank you.
Challenge negative thoughts
When feeling anger, agony, jealousy, sadness, or any other negative thought, ask yourself if there is a positive view-point to the situation. Could there be a way to look at it where I don’t fill myself in with negative thoughts? In this way, you are filtering what you are taking in. Being able to think optimistically is good for your mental health and wellbeing.
Smile
Smile is a simple coping mechanism. By practising smiling, even when you are not feeling completely positive, could eventually make you happier. Humans smile more often than they frown, and hence, these muscles are stronger. They send feedback to the brain and influence the development of emotions. So whenever you feel the urge to uplift your mood, just smile!
Pursue your hobby
By pursuing things you feel excited about, your mind gets relaxed. You could volunteer or pursue an online course, something that gives you a sense of achievement. Hobbies add meaning to your life and help you to be healthier, live longer, and be content. Take one small step at a time and keep practising your hobbies. Put it on Instagram and have a collection of memories!
Meditate
Meditation improves mood, increases concentration, decreases stress, and improves sleep. It also enhances memory. Most importantly, it helps to keep your mind calm and helps you to be self-aware. Even if you close your eyes for 5 minutes in a day and practice breath-in and breath-out, you will feel the difference in your mood.
Be around nature
Having a garden or a few pots of plants or just a plant in your abode can help you feel happy. The soothing green colour of nature brings freshness and serenity to the place. If you have greenery in and around your home, try to spend at least 15 minutes with them. And if you are crazy like me, then having a conversation with them is not at all a bad idea. They do talk!
Be physically active
A jog on the terrace, 7 sets of Surya-namaskar, racing with siblings, dance, callisthenics, or weights… anything that keeps you physically active is bound to uplift your mood. Exercising is not about losing or gaining weight, it is about being fit mentally and physically. As little as 20 minutes of activity per day could help you feel positive and think straight.
Music
Music stimulates the region of the brain that discharges dopamine, a chemical that makes us feel good. A melody in the ears helps relax our bodies. But it only works when you play ‘happy’ numbers ’cause we are talking about uplifting your mood right! So tune in!
I hope these tips are helpful. Remember, you control what you feel your mind. Do not let negativity ruin your day.
STAY STRONG!
STAY POSITIVE!
References
Ph.D., E. O. (2015, January 29). 7 Tips for Staying Positive. Psychology Today. doi:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wise-mind-living/201501/7-tips-staying-positive
