Everyone has those days where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Depending on the circumstance, it can take a while to get back to your happy place. Nonetheless, each step towards improving your mood counts for something—no matter how small. Here are a few things you can do daily to pick up your mood and keep your day on the right track!
1. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
According to the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, your mood begins where your day begins: breakfast time. Eating a balanced breakfast full of vitamins and nutrients (like yogurt or oatmeal) that the body can use throughout the day will keep you energized. Wexner says eating popular foods like cereal and bagels gives you a boost of energy, but only for a short amount of time.
2. Make Your Bed
You might’ve heard your parents say this or just experienced it for yourself, but an organized room equals an organized mind. In a way, decluttering your space declutters your mind. Tidying up a little before you start your day leaves your head a little clearer to focus on more important things. You start your first accomplishment of the day in the bedroom and it sets you up for success later on.
3. Let the Sunshine In
As soon as you climb out of bed in the morning, you should open blinds and curtains to allow the sunshine into your home. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that through sunlight, the skin can photosynthesize Vitamin D and make bones stronger. The NCBI also states that sunlight can be proven to stimulate serotonin (the “happy chemical”) in the skin.
4. Less Screen Time & More Time for Hobbies
Finding new ways to stimulate your mind is always a fun thing to do. Instead of spending hours at a time glued to a TV or cellphone screen, utilize that time to discover new interests or tap into some old ones. A little activity time is good to clear your mind and refocus your thoughts–it might even expose things you didn’t know about yourself.
5. Meditating/Manifesting
Taking a few minutes each day to meditate and re-center your body could be one of the best decisions you make daily. Not only is it relaxing, but it gives you the chance to sit with yourself and manifest the things you want in life. According to Dr. Denise Fournier, manifesting is about focusing on what you desire and attracting it through what you think, say, and do. So what better time to think positively than with a little self-connection time?
6. Eating Dark Chocolate
Some of you may be thinking “Ew, dark chocolate?!” but it’s worth the investment. According to Dr. Roberta Satow, dark chocolate contains properties that encourage the release of dopamine—a “feel good” hormone that plays a huge part in how you experience pleasure.
7. Take Some Time to Journal
Many people don’t enjoy writing, but journaling is a great way to funnel all of your thoughts, fears, and dreams into one place. Your journal can be clean and organized or a complete mess. Do you know what the best part is? It’s totally up to you! Whether you choose to share it, keep it hidden, release negative energy, or just write down random thoughts—the choice is all yours. If you don’t get freedom anywhere else you’ll definitely get it here.
8. Try to Exercise
Harvard Health says that just 15 minutes of movement can help keep negative feelings away. It doesn’t have to be a high-impact, cardio-based workout to get the benefits. Walking, jogging, climbing steps, etc. are all general movements that can trigger the body’s responses. However, Harvard Health says if you love a good, hearty workout to continue doing so.
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