Mood-Boosting Activities

From terrible traffic to that one co-worker that you simply can’t stand is in your office, to your children screaming at the top of their lungs, there is always that one thing that can tip us over the edge to having a bad day. Each of us can have bad days, bad weeks, or even experience a time when we can’t get out of a funk. When we encounter these terrible days, we must find little fixes that can help boost mood and get through our day.

Simple Fixes

Sometimes we might not be able to get a few minutes to decompress before going on to the next demanding task. Seek out simple fixes before you continue your day, such as

• Treat yourself – Whether it is that stash of chocolate in your desk drawer or the vending machine down the hall. Find a small treat that can add a little spring to your step.
• Breathe – Take two minutes to either allow your eyes to lose focus or close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. It is a few moments to acknowledge your inhale and exhale.
• Be silly – Turn up the music in your office or race your co-worker to your next meeting, whatever it is, do something that can alleviate tension in your body and bring a smile to your face.
• Visualization – There a few times in a tough day that you may find yourself asking, ‘Why am I doing this?’ When you find yourself posing this question, slow down and visualize your goals, what journey you are in the middle of, and who benefits from your hard work, such as your children or your future self.
• Pleasing scents – Seek out orange or lavender scents. The orange scent should give you a small burst of energy to power through, and the lavender has relaxation effects.

When It’s Been a Day

There are times when you go home, and it just has been a day; rather than run to the nearest bottle of wine, try these methods to decompress.

• Count your blessings – Take some time to write down all the things in your life that you are thankful for and fire off a few text messages showing gratitude to those who have made the most significant impact on your life.
• Turn on the music – Crank up the happy tunes; just listening can give you a mood boost. Add some crazy dancing, and you are well on your way to a smile.
• Learn something new – Taking yourself out of your routine and learning something new allows you to focus on something different, engage your mind away from your poor mood, and give you a lift to end your day.
• De-clutter – Getting even a small drawer organized can help you lift your mood and feel a level of accomplishment.
• Food as a mood booster – Concentrate on eating healthy foods that lift moods. Foods high in B vitamins, omega-3s, and vitamin D help fight against anxiety and depression. How your gut functions and how healthy your microbiome directly affects how your brain functions.