Five Tips to Up Your Mood When You’re Feeling Down

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By: Erica Silva, Blogger

Some days staying positive and upbeat may feel like a battle. A stressful day at work, a fight with a friend, or even just an off day; whatever it is, there are things you can do to improve your mood.

Terrible days happen to everyone. A bad mood can be triggered by anything from guilt over forgetting someone’s anniversary to pending tasks on your to-do list, to not getting enough likes on a Facebook share to inadequate sleep. Humans are sensitive creatures, and it’s normal to feel down at times, but we do have some sweet suggestions for improving your mood regardless.

Walk

Going out for a walk helps lift up the mood because exercise releases feel-good endorphins. Exercise also increases the chemicals serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These chemicals reduce stress and are natural anti-depressants. Going out of the house, even if only to buy milk can help up your mood. Bright daylight, fresh air, and the hustle bustle of everyday life as well as the sights, sounds, and smells of nature have a positive impact on the mind.

Color psychologists say the green color symbolizes happiness and creates a feeling of joy too. Therefore exposing yourself to nature will uplift your mood instantly. According to Daniel Kripke, M.D. at the University of California Studies show that people who get “enough light exposure during the day do have fewer sleep problems and less depression, and evidence suggests that light can, in fact, keep you alert and productive.”

Yoga

Getting a good stretch can turn your frown upside down. Studies show that lack of oxygenated blood to the brain can negatively affect a person’s mood. Luckily some great yoga poses can instantly help you up your spirit by improving the blood circulation and improving the flow of oxygenated blood. Learn a few moods lifting yoga postures that can help energetically pick you up and give you a lighter and brighter perspective.  Yoga helps you to zone out and gives you a time out from your hectic day.

Shop

Retail therapy can help brighten up your mood when you are feeling low. A study conducted in 2011 asked hundreds of shoppers to keep diaries of their moods and behavior. People who were in a bad mood bought impulsively, and it brightened up their mood. 82% of those who bought something did not regret it.

For instance, buy some sexy leather jackets to up your mood or that special something you have had your eye on.

Get a good Laugh

Laughter is the best medicine. It’s fun to share a good laugh, it draws people together and triggers emotional changes in the body. Laughter boosts mood and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, and connects you to others. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals that promote an overall sense of well-being.

Watch a movie or engage yourself in a fun activity that can help you lift up your mood and laugh. You can also cue up YouTube and have a hearty laugh to elevate your mood instantly.

Vent out

In many situations, it is better to discharge your emotions rather than keeping them bottled up inside because it helps restore your equilibrium. There is no reason a lousy mood should ruin your entire day. Often a minor conflict at work or home leaves you feeling down. A small boost is all you need to up your mood. There is no harm in venting out to a colleague. But also make sure to channelize your anger into something positive by engaging yourself in positive activities.

Try the tips mentioned above next time you feel down. Just give it some time, we can’t force ourselves into a good mood, but the good news is no mood sticks around forever.

ABOUT the Author, Erica Silva

Erica Silva is a blogger who loves to discover and explore the world around her. She writes on everything from marketing to technology, science and brain health. She enjoys sharing her discoveries and experiences with readers and believes her blogs can make the world a better place.

Find her on Twitter: @ericadsilva1