We will learn the top 10 simple habits to improve your mood. Whether we’re happy or sad, grateful or frustrated, our mood has a significant impact on our daily lives. When we’re in a good mood, we see the world more positively. We’re more motivated and productive, and we tend to make better use of our time.
On the other hand, when we’re in a bad mood, everything seems to weigh on our shoulders. We experience more stress and less motivation, approaching the same experiences and opportunities with a more negative mindset. So, what are some basic habits to improve your mood? Managing your mood can be challenging. After all, there are many things in our lives we simply cannot control.
For example, we can’t control other people’s behaviors, what they think of us, or how society works. But that doesn’t mean our state of mind is entirely out of our hands. There are little things you can do every day to lift your spirits, shift your mindset, and bring more positivity to your life. If you often find yourself in a bad mood, try these ten simple habits, and your day might just turn around.
Table of Contents
Here Are The 10 Simple Habits to Improve Your Mood
10: Remember What You Love
Sometimes, the trials of everyday life wear us down. We might feel unmotivated and discouraged after doing things we don’t want to do. It helps, in these moments, to remind yourself that life is more than just chores and work. The world is full of things to get excited about, like passions that we want to pursue and activities that we enjoy.
When you’re feeling low, remember the things you love most. Make a list of five things that put a smile on your face and make you excited to get out of bed in the morning. A few minutes of something you genuinely enjoy can remind you how fun and exciting your life can be.
09: Social Media Detox
Social media has many positive functions. It connects us like never before. It provides information, inspiration, and useful resources. However, too much social media can hurt our mental health. For certain people, social media promotes negative feelings such as anxiety or self-doubt. If social media isn’t helping you, it may be time to step back. Unplugging from social media can reduce stress and improve your self-esteem.
Instead of scrolling for hours, you may shift your attention to other hobbies and interests. Taking a break also encourages you to invest in real-world relationships, which are often more fulfilling and meaningful. To be clear, you don’t need to completely cut social media out of your life. Simply moderating your intake frees up your mind and your time to focus on what makes you happy.
08: The Sunshine Effect
Lifting your spirits may sometimes be as simple as stepping out the front door. Sunshine is a great natural mood booster. Not only does it provide your body with useful vitamin D, but it also increases your production of serotonin. This mood-boosting hormone is known to increase concentration, emotional stability, and feelings of happiness. Luckily, it doesn’t take much sunlight to raise your serotonin levels. Just a few minutes of sunlight can stimulate the part of your brain that produces serotonin, thus elevating your mood. So, if you’re stuck in a rut, get outside and brighten up your day.
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07: The Simple Power of Stretching
According to the World Health Organization, between 60 and 85% of people live a sedentary lifestyle. In other words, most of us spend the majority of our waking hours sitting. This much inactivity can affect us physically, but it also hurts our state of mind. Brief stints of movement and exercise throughout the day can fend off those sedentary blues. Stretching is especially effective for people who don’t have time or space for regular exercise throughout the day. Not only does it relieve physical stiffness and strain, but a few minutes of stretching can be relaxing and fun.
06: Declutter Your Life
Throughout our lives, we accrue all sorts of things we don’t need. We hold onto clothes that don’t fit us, papers we don’t need, and cables we don’t recognize. We shove these things under our bed and into our closet, but these random pieces of clutter continue to weigh on our minds. Decluttering is one of the best activities for decreasing stress and increasing feelings of calm and control.
For example, every time you clean your desk or declutter your cabinets, you’re actively lightening your load and creating more mental space. If your home is messy and cluttered, set aside 15-20 minutes every day to clean and tidy up. Clean everything at once, you don’t have to. Even if you declutter your life one item at a time, let your environment reflect a lighter and happier state of mind.
05: Take a Real Break
We live in a competitive world. Every day, we’re told to work hard and never surrender. We lead busy lives. We take on extra responsibilities. We pack our schedules full of every activity we can. Often, we’re so worried about getting ahead that we forget to reserve time for ourselves. No matter how busy our lives get, we all need time to rest. Without real breaks, we’re prone to things like burnout and fatigue, which take a significant toll on our mood.
To combat these common problems, spend a few minutes each day focusing solely on your mental health. For example, meditation is a simple and easy practice for busy people who need help letting go. To start, find a quiet space, close your eyes, and concentrate on your breath. For this brief period, permit yourself to let go and demonstrate compassion toward yourself. It may not feel like you’re doing much, but a little mindfulness can leave you feeling calm and refreshed.
04: Uplifting Laughter
We often hear that laughter is the best medicine, and when it comes to your state of mind, it often is. If you’re feeling low, a burst of genuine laughter can generate real feelings of happiness and relief. Things that feel stressful and impossible may suddenly feel easy and doable. Believe it or not, a bit of laughter can change your state of mind. Whenever you notice a dip in your mood, find something to put a smile back on your face. Watch a funny video, listen to your favorite comedian, or joke around with your friends. You know what cracks you up better than anyone, so don’t hesitate to bring more laughter into your life.
03: The Joy of Exercise
Many people talk about the long-term benefits of exercise for physical health and confidence. We think of people running long distances and sweating in the gym, getting stronger every day. But at a basic level, exercise is just supposed to be fun. Whether we’re running, dancing, or lifting weights, moving our bodies is a natural stress reliever known to positively influence our well-being and self-esteem. It makes us feel happier and more alert while increasing our confidence and comfort. Whether or not you’re an athlete, remind yourself how enjoyable exercise can be. A few minutes of motion is all it takes to increase your heart rate and improve your mood.
02: Get to Know Yourself
Self-reflection is another great way to ground ourselves when we’re feeling low. We may feel overwhelmed because we’ve lost touch with our deeper selves. We aren’t sure what we think or how we feel, so we become vulnerable to anxiety and frustration. If you want to improve your mood, spend time checking in with yourself. Tune into your deeper thoughts and feelings so that you can get to the root of what is bothering you. You might practice self-reflection while walking, journaling, or relaxing in the shower. Whichever way feels natural to you, a few things boost your mood like getting to know yourself.
01: The 60-Minute Rule
Many people lie awake at night, watching videos, or scrolling through social media. But this can hurt your natural sleep cycle. Most devices emit blue light, which fools your brain into thinking it’s the middle of the day. When you scroll before bed, you’re stopping your brain from releasing an important nighttime hormone called melatonin, which helps you fall asleep on time.
In today’s age of technology, this is one of the most popular sleep disturbances and a common source of stress. So, turn off all devices at least an hour before bed. During this 60-minute window, your brain has enough time to produce melatonin and prepare for a night of restful slumber. Practice the 60-minute rule every night, and you’ll wake up every morning feeling happier and well-rested.