When it comes to decision making, we sometimes tend to let our emotions get the better of us. Which is why most successful leaders suggest that we don’t make decisions while experiencing strong feelings or thoughts.
Our mood significantly impacts our everyday lives. From the way we perceive ourselves - our physical appearance - to the things that influence our emotions, such as the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the books we read, and the people we interact with. Every single one of these affects our mood in one way or another.
Mood-enhancing drugs are common these days, but as much as possible, we don’t want to be too dependent on them.
We shouldn’t forget that there’s a lot of natural ways to improve our mood - try these recommendations and find which one works best for you.
4 Free Ways To Help Improve Your Mood
1. Start By Smiling
Might be a hard thing to do, especially if you’re feeling rather down, but trust us when we say that pulling up a sweet smile can work wonders for your mood.
If you don’t want to smile all by yourself, try smiling at your colleagues, or the people you come across at the coffee shop.
By doing this, you’re actually allowing yourself to think that you’re happy, and there’s a science behind it. Just make sure you’re throwing a real smile, not a fake one, at all times.
2. Listen To Upbeat Music
Stop playing those emotional songs and start listening to upbeat music.
It significantly boosts your mood at a relatively shorter time and allows you to channel the liveliness of those electric beats.
A 2013 study by the University of Missouri showed that listening to upbeat music can absolutely improve your mood.
So the next time you’re feeling gloomy, remember to put those earphones on and start listening to upbeat music!
3. Think About The Good Things That Have Happened
In theory, it’s easier to feel sad, but it doesn’t mean that you should dwell on the negative things for too long a time.
It’s somewhat easy to overlook the good things, especially if something terrible has happened, but even the littlest of good things that transpired during the day can help you improve your mood.
When you’re thinking about the positive moments that happened, your brain tries to recreate those moments, including the good feelings you felt during those times.
4. Hug Someone
A word of caution, don’t go around hugging random strangers just because you’re feeling a bit sad.
Hug someone you’re close to. It can be your parents, your lover, or your best friend. Anyone dear to you.
When your body comes into close contact with someone dear to you, it prompts the brain to release Oxytocin, also known as the “feel-good hormone.”This significantly lowers your stress levels and calms you down, ultimately leading to an improved mood.
One product that can help prolong that “feel-good” feeling is OPTML Boost. Nootropic supplements like this help stimulate your brain and facilitate the release of feel-good hormones similar to when you hug someone you love.
References:
- https://buffer.com/resources/the-science-of-smiling-a-guide-to-humans-most-powerful-gesture
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/articles/201303/the-power-touch
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-overview#1
- https://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2013/0514-trying-to-be-happier-works-when-listening-to-upbeat-music-according-to-mu-research/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/depression/more-than-a-happiness-boost-how-mood-medications-help-when-youre-depressed
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201701/10-simple-ways-improve-your-mood-when-youre-feeling-down
- https://www.self.com/story/13-things-you-can-do-to-improve-your-mood-in-30-seconds-or-less
- https://www.inc.com/barbara-mendez/9-ways-improve-your-mood.html