Some days staying positive and upbeat can feel like an uphill battle. Maybe it was a stressful day at work, a fight with a family member, or even just an off day (or year)! 2020 was a tough year no doubt and as we approach the middle of winter, winter blues on top can mean an all time low for some. If you’re finding yourself in a funk as of late, read through these 20 tips to boost your mood naturally.
- Move your body – go for a walk, yoga, workout, dance
- Spend time outdoors in nature
- Listen to upbeat music (& dance!)
- Laugh – increases dopamine (the feel good hormone) & oxytocin (the love hormone)
- Give someone a hug – increases oxytocin (the love hormone)
- Call a friend
- Do something nice for someone else – pay it forward or backward, compliment the first 3 people you see, write a positive comment on social media, the list is endless..
- Talk to a stranger – when was the last time you connected with someone you didn’t know?
- Practice gratitude – what (or who) are you grateful for?
- Smile – trick your brain into a happier mood
- Pet therapy – pet a dog or cat
- Get creative – do a puzzle, paint a picture, write
- Declutter – clean up and organize your space to reduce cortisol spikes (the stress hormone)
- Decorate your space with things that spark joy – go ahead and buy those flowers, light that candle!
- Diffuse some essential oils – lavender, citrus, mint
- Take a break – stop what you’re doing, take some deep breathes and make time for something that brings you joy
- Take a bath/shower
- Take a break from social media
- Eat food – real food, do your best to avoid the processed and refined foods
- Take your supplements – multivitamin/mineral, B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, omegas – talk to your healthcare provider to find what is best for you.
Most importantly keep it simple! Pick a few things on the list that you can focus on and be consistent with them to form a habit. If you continue to find yourself in a funk, reach out to your healthcare provider for support.