Wanna take action to give yourself a mood boost? Here are six proven ways to help you out!
Good-Mood Food
Leave it to us to choose the edible fix first!
Certain foods can help boost your levels of serotonin (a.k.a. the happy hormone), such as proteins that contain tryptophan (it does more than make you sleepy). Think eggs, cheese, salmon, nuts, and (of course) turkey. You can also get tryptophan from fruits and veggies, like pineapple, spinach, kiwis... Sounds like one heck of a happy smoothie!
Crank Up the Tunes
It seems almost too easy, but it's true: A high-energy playlist is one of the quickest ways to get yourself out of a slump.
Research shows our brains can be pretty easily manipulated by music. Think about how scary music in a horror flick makes you feel even more scared… Energetic tunes work the same way. Pop on a playlist of songs that put a smile on your face. Bonus: Music is a gateway to dancing!
Cue the Coffee
You don't have to tell us twice. Plenty of us know that we're more pleasant after a cup o' morning joe, and it's not just the caffeine waking us up. Coffee can also work as
a natural mood enhancer, boosting your dopamine levels. (For even more of a pick-me-up, watch fun videos of Lisa making coffee drinks
here!) Just DON’T overdo it. You don’t want to blow straight past perky to jittery...
Meditate
It feels weird to say that meditation has gotten trendy, but it has. More and more people are meditating for wellness.
Research shows that stress reduction from meditation can have all kinds of positive effects, such as reducing blood pressure, relieving anxiety, and offsetting sadness. Beginners can start with a few quiet minutes of deep breathing. There are also great meditation apps out there, like
Headspace (which has a free trial).
Take in Nature
The mood benefits of outdoor activity are kind of baffling.
Sunshine alone is a mood enhancer, and get this:
Studies have found that feelings of awe (like the kinds triggered by the beauty of nature) can counteract stress. It gets better… Have a yard? Do some gardening!
This study found that the smell of dirt (yes, really) can help lift your spirits. Color us convinced…
Physical Activity
Exercise is wildly effective at giving your brain a boost!
According to a University of Vermont study, just 20 minutes can help improve your mood for up to 12 hours -- talk about an investment that pays off. It releases positive brain chemicals and reduces stress hormones. If you're in one of those "I DON'T WANNA" moods, start out with a couple minutes of SOMETHING. Jog in place, go for a walk, get your stretch on -- just start moving!
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