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- Get plenty of sunlight and vitamin D. Surrounding yourself with nature can have a strong impact on your state of mind and inspire a feeling of peace and meditative calmness.
- Give and receive affective touch. Have you ever had a bad day and just really needed a hug? There's a reason for that. Assar explains physical touch, such as hugging, cuddling, or a supportive touch, can help build connections with others and influence the production of serotonin—which boosts mood and immunity response while decreasing stress.
- Keep a gratitude journal. "Reflecting on things, people, opportunities, and the inherent strengths we are fortunate to have in our lives can have a significant impact on our overall well-being and mental health, as well as likely increased production of serotonin," Assar says.
- Manage caffeine intake. While coffee may be an integral part of your morning or workday, Assar warns against an overreliance on it since caffeine withdrawal can drain your serotonin levels.
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Apr 8, 2024 · Need a pick-me-up? These 75 simple ways to boost your mood take very little time and can instantly help you feel better. Try one of these mood boosters.
- Wendy Rose Gould
- Overview
- Take a walk in the park
- Laugh it off
- Try some aromatherapy
- Give yourself a hug
- Turn up the tunes
- Try a random act of kindness
- Call a loved one
- The bottom line
Feeling a little down after receiving some unpleasant news? Trying to beat the Sunday scaries (or Monday blues)? Having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad (or even just a little blah) day?
Even minor disappointments and frustrations can derail your daily activities and leave you grumpy, miserable, and completely disinterested in the things you need or want to take care of. You know you need a little pick-me-up to make it through the day smoothly, but you’re less sure about exactly what to do to feel better.
That’s totally normal — emotional distress doesn’t have to be extreme to make spotting solutions difficult. But a bad mood left to simmer often boils over, leaving you feeling worse.
Ignoring the source of your bad mood won’t make it disappear, but there’s nothing wrong with setting it aside temporarily to focus on something that makes you feel good instead.
A short wander through the nearest park, or any other green space, can do a lot to bust a low mood. Walking in nature, as a matter of fact, takes a 3-for-1 approach to boosting the production of “happy hormones,” the chemical messengers that help regulate mood.
If it’s the midafternoon slump or a long night leaving you a little gloomy, a brisk 10-minute walk can increase blood flow to your brain and energize you, easing feelings of fatigue and sluggishness. Walking can also help lower the level of stress hormones in your body and prompt the release of endorphins, hormones that can ease stress, pain, and discomfort.
Of course, sunlight has benefits, too. Spending just 10 or 15 minutes in the sun can trigger the production of serotonin, along with more endorphins, making for a hefty dose of mood-improving chemicals. Plus, natural light may help you feel more energized and alert, especially if you’ve been sitting in a dim room.
And let’s not forget about nature.
There’s a good reason why so many teachers and other public speakers tend to get things rolling with a joke or witty remark. Laughing in a group can help relieve tension and leave everyone feeling a little more energized — and often, a little more bonded.
Laughter works on an individual level, too. If you’re feeling a little anxious or stressed about something — say, a big presentation at work or a heavy discussion with a loved one — humor could help you shake off some of the tension and leave you in a lighter frame of mind.
Forcing a real, deep belly laugh may prove something of a challenge when you aren’t feeling very funny. If your go-to sources for humor fail to spark much joy, give these a try:
•Funny videos. Not sure what to watch? Head to YouTube to check out dozens of Vine compilations — these short videos are designed to get you laughing quickly.
•Animal videos. When it comes to beating a bad mood, pets can pack a double punch. Their antics can be hilarious, but they’re pretty darn adorable, too. Seen every cat and dog video out there? Birds can be surprisingly funny, too.
•Look up comedy writers. If you prefer the written word to visual content, you might prefer humorous books to funny videos. Get started with NPR’s list of 100 funny books.
Your sense of smell can communicate directly with your amygdala, a part of the brain that helps regulate emotions. That’s why scents that trigger positive or nostalgic memories often help relieve tension and anxiety. The connection between your brain and sense of smell may also help explain why things that smell good can make you feel good.
Aromatherapy generally refers to the use of essential oils to improve mood or mental health, but you don’t necessarily have to purchase essential oils to get these benefits. You might already have some mood-boosting fragrances around your home or office:
•Have a favorite scented soap or lotion? Take a moment to mindfully wash your hands or give your arms and shoulders a quick scented rub.
•Feeling low because you miss someone you love? Smell something that reminds you of them.
•Got neighbors with impressive gardens? Take a short walk to (literally) smell the roses. Other fragrant plants you might encounter in the wild include lavender, jasmine, honeysuckle, rosemary, and sage.
•Head to the kitchen to catch a scent of vanilla, cinnamon, or pumpkin pie spice. Alternatively, slice a lemon and inhale the fragrance.
It’s completely natural to turn to the people in your life for physical and emotional support when dealing with a low mood and other frustrations. You might even know already that hugs and other physical affection can cue your body to release oxytocin and help you feel closer to your loved ones.
But what happens when your mood plummets in circumstances where you can’t readily access that comfort?
Maybe you suddenly start to feel sad, overwhelmed, or just plain rotten at work, or in a crowd of people you don’t know. A supportive embrace seems like exactly what you need to turn your mood around, but there’s no one around to do the honors — no one other than you, that is.
While giving yourself a hug might feel a little silly, it could actually do the trick. Touch (yes, your own included) can ease feelings of stress, helping you feel safe and relaxed. It can also promote self-compassion and self-kindness, both of which can pave the way toward a more positive mood.
Picture this: You’re cleaning your house, sorting paperwork, or doing some other task you don’t particularly enjoy. Your radio station or music streaming service of choice plays in the background.
When the song changes over, your ears perk up as you recognize the first notes of one of your favorite songs. The cheerful, upbeat melody infuses you with new energy. You tap your foot to the music as you return your attention to your task with new enthusiasm, singing along under your breath.
You didn’t imagine that instant leap in your mood. Music can offer plenty of benefits, in fact.
It can help to:
•improve mood and emotion regulation abilities
•ease stress and tension
Maybe you feel trapped or stuck because you can’t do anything to change your current situation for the moment. Instead of getting caught up in a downward spiral of worry and stress, try focusing your energy on someone else instead.
Doing something nice for another person could make their day a little better and bring a smile to their face, potentially improving your mood, in turn. Simply knowing you’ve made someone else’s day better can leave you in a more positive frame of mind.
A few ideas to consider:
•Ask a co-worker if they need any help.
•Do a chore for your child, roommate, or partner.
•Give your pet a treat — you’ll probably earn some cuddles, as a bonus.
Whether you’ve just made it through a long and draining day or have a stressful event looming over you, a quick message of love and support can go a long way toward lifting your spirits.
Even a 5-minute chat with your romantic partner, BFF, or favorite sibling can raise your spirits and help you shake off a gloomy mood, nervousness or worry, and other emotional tension.
Loved ones can:
•listen as you vent your frustrations
•offer encouraging words
•make you laugh
If your mood needs a little boost from time to time, don’t worry — that’s absolutely normal. Most bad moods tend to lift before too long, and there’s plenty you can do to send them on their way.
A low mood that persists day in and day out, on the other hand, could suggest something a little more serious. When you notice lingering changes in your mood and well-being, and strategies like the ones above seem to have little effect, talking to a therapist is always a good next step.
Nov 20, 2023 · One natural way to increase serotonin is by working out. When you pedal your bicycle or lift weights, your body releases more tryptophan, the amino acid your brain uses to make serotonin. This boost in serotonin (along with other endorphins and other neurotransmitters) is why many people get that feeling of euphoria known as a "runner's high ...
- hhp_info@health.harvard.edu
- Trout. Trout and other fatty fish are rich in the omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, as well as other key nutrients like selenium and protein.
- Chocolate. As long as you are choosing options that are made of 70% cocoa or more, chocolate has been shown to positively impact mood and help people feel more content.
- Fermented Foods. Live organisms called probiotics live in your gut and offer a host of health benefits. As opposed to potentially harmful live organisms like e.coli and coliforms, probiotics colonize your gut and have been shown to support a healthy digestive system, immune system, and even a healthy mood.
- Egg Yolks. While many people know vitamin D's role in bone and immune health, many may not realize that a deficiency can also negatively impact mood, and is linked to higher prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), seasonal affective disorder, non-specified mood disorder, and major depressive disorder.
Jun 28, 2023 · Vitamins: vitamin C, B, magnesium, and selenium. Caffeine: coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages. Probiotics: yogurt and other fermented foods or supplements. Amino acids help build...
Jan 19, 2024 · Spend time in nature. Time in nature can have a powerful influence on a person’s mood. Research suggests that walks in nature may improve depressive symptoms in people with clinical depression...
