Everyone gets bad days. It can be caused by your being tired, your diet, by things that are happening around you or, sometimes, you just wake up feeling blue. Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could just flick a switch and turn on your happy face? We’re not going to pretend that you can do that. But there are some positive things that you can do improve your mood and here are ten of the best of them:
1. Focus on the precious and one of a kind NOW
Our first tip on how to improve your mood is to forget what could have been, stop worrying about what might be, and concentrate on the here and now. You can’t change the past and you can’t predict the future, which is why they say that people who live every day as it comes are happier.
2. Banish the negative thoughts and replace them by good ones
When you feel a negative thought coming into your mind, replace it by the positive one right away! You will be surprised at how easy it can be to stop yourself from thinking negatively, and see the positive things in your life instead. It just takes a bit of practice and effort.
3. Get some fresh air and some sun
Our next tip on how to improve your mood is simple – get some sun. Sunlight and fresh air can make a huge difference to your mood. Just a few minutes of sunlight will increase the levels of Vitamin D in your body which, in turn, produces one of the feel good hormones, serotonin.
4. Turn on some upbeat music and dance
Another good tip on how to improve your mood is to turn on some great music. The effect of music on the mood has been proven in many different studies. Put on some upbeat music and you won’t be able to help but to start tapping your foot and singing along.
5. Eat something and drink some water
Simple dehydration and hunger can bring on a bad mood and often you can confuse tiredness with feeling down. Try eating a healthy snack and drinking glass of water, that alone can really perk you up.
6. Go for a walk in nature
Taking some exercise can help your mood too. Just a brisk walk will help to release the feel good hormones, endorphins, and getting out into the fresh air, taking in what is going on in the world around you, will also help to lift your mood.
7. Do something nice and kind for someone else
Another great tip on how to improve your mood is to do something kind for someone. A random act of kindness to a stranger can really make you feel good about yourself again. It doesn’t need to be anything big, just letting someone out in a queue of traffic or smiling and thanking a shop assistant will do. You’ll most likely get a smile in return for your kindness, and that will help you to smile too.
8. Force a smile
This might sound a bit weird, but give it a go, because it works. If you wake up in a bad mood, then stand in front of the mirror and force a smile. Smiles are contagious, even a forced one of your own, so you will find that smiling at yourself in the mirror, will soon bring a real smile and you even find yourself having a giggle to yourself as well.
9. Eat some mood boosting foods
Next tip on how to improve your mood is to eat mood boosting foods. There are some food types that are known to boost your mood and reduce the levels of stress hormones in your body. Foods that can have this effect include dark chocolate, green tea, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, honey, bananas, brazil nuts, lentils and foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and other fish.
10. If bad moods are a regular event, then consider seeing a doctor
One or two bad days do not constitute depression, but, if the bad moods continue for a long period of time, then consider seeing your doctor. There are many, easily treatable reasons for bad moods, and there is no need to suffer them for longer than you need to.
What are your favorite tips on how to improve your mood?
Stay happy!
