Last Updated on 18th August 2021 by Charlie Walsh
Go for a walk
Getting out of the house, even if it’s just nipping to the shop for bread can help to boost your mood. If you have the time, walk to a local park and enjoy the bright sunlight and fresh air as you stroll around. Sunlight offers an excellent boost of vitamin D which also helps to lift your mood.
Eat healthily
Ever heard that saying, ‘you are what you eat?’ Well, eating healthily can help to boost your mood in the long term because your body needs vitamins such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B and Omega 3 to keep your mood elevated. Eat a healthy, nutritious breakfast and fill your dinner plate with wholegrains, leafy greens and healthy fats. You’ll feel much more serene in no time. If you love coffee, try to reduce your caffeine intake as this can also affect your moods.
Speak to someone who makes you feel good
Venting to a sympathetic friend or a family member acts as a form of therapy because it helps to get things off your chest. My advice is to phone someone who is really fun and positive. Their optimism can help you to look at a stressful situation in a different light and boost your mood. If you prefer to discuss your feelings privately, there are lots of anonymous helplines that you can call and talk to someone about the things that are bothering you. For those who aren’t comfortable talking, write down the way that you feel and vent on paper, tear the paper into as many pieces as you can and throw it away.
Watch a funny video on YouTube
Youtube is full of hilarious prank videos and funny cats, dogs and babies. If you need a quick pick me up, scientists claim that watching videos of animals provides and instant mood booster and helps to reduce anxiety, annoyance and sadness.
Watch your favourite comedy
Laughter is the best medicine they say, and there is no better way to spend an evening than sitting back, relaxing and watching a great comedy. Even if you’ve seen the film a hundred times, watch it again, just for old times sake.
Hang out with a pet
Pet owners often discuss the joys of sharing life with a loving pet. However, many of us are unaware of the mental and physical health benefits of spending time with a family pet. Pets, particularly cats and dogs can reduce stress, ease anxiety, combat loneliness and encourage exercise. Pets are particularly comforting to older people who can struggle with feelings of isolation. One of the reasons cited for the mood boosting elements of keeping pets is that a pet satisfies the basic human need for mutual affection. Stroking, hugging or petting a furry friend delivers an instant mood boost, whilst unconditional love and companionship offer longer term solutions to stress and anxiety.
Have sex or masturbate
An orgasm produces a huge boost of endorphins and helps to flush out cortisol, the stress hormone. As long as you aren’t becoming over reliant on sex or masturbation to prop low moods, a quick five knuckle shuffle can help to lift your mood and help you to feel happier for the rest of the day.
Split tasks into bitesize chunks
Stressed out because you’re overwhelmed with your workload? Make a list and split each task into something manageable. As you cross off each task that you’ve undertaken, you will start to feel more on top of things.
Declutter the house or your room
Decluttering instantly makes you feel more in control of your surroundings and this is an excellent mood booster. If you don’t have time to declutter the whole house, start with something small like a desk or a cupboard. Just seeing it looking better will help you to feel more productive and calmer.
Start a puzzle or play a game
Inviting a distraction helps to take your mind of something that’s bothering you and help you to feel more relaxed. If you have a non-stressful computer game that you like to play, take a break for a few minutes and enjoy a distraction from your troubles. If you prefer, pick up a jigsaw and complete a puzzle. Try it, it’s very relaxing!
Write down the things that you are grateful for
Writing down just a few of the blessings that you have in your life can help you to feel happier and more at ease with the difficulties of a bad day. This could be something small such as a pretty garden, a lovely view from your window or something bigger, like a loving family or a supportive partner. Just taking the time to appreciate the good things that
you have in your life can help to boost your mood.
Play music loud
Making sure that you don’t upset the neighbours of course but playing your music loud and blasting away the cobwebs can help to elevate your mood and provide an instant boost of happiness. If you want to have a good cry, choose something weepy and follow it with a song that makes you feel happy.
Read a book
Books offer the perfect escape from a hellish day because you are instantly transported into another world. Reading is also proven to help you relax, it lowers the heart rate and reduces anxiety. Those who read before bed are said to fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more rested.
Make an appointment with a health professional
For those who are having a bad day, these tips offer short term solutions to boost your mood. However, if you find that your low moods are lasting a long time, or your struggling to pick yourself up, make an appointment with a health professional to discuss this. If you feel depressed or suicidal and are unable to get an appointment to talk to someone, call the Samaritans on 116 123. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
