On a scale from 1-10, how are you feeling today?
Perhaps you’re a 3 and you’re energy reservoir is tapped out from a busy day or maybe you’re a 7, not overly joyed, but happy and content with where you’re at. Wherever you are on the scale, there is always room for elevation.
There are number or things you can do for yourself to keep those stress levels in check. Whether it be eating clean, exercising regularly, or just being on top of your game, lifting that mood of yours is quite simple and achievable!
As David Wolfe’s always says, “Today is the best day ever!” Well, it certainly has potential to be with these 10 easy ways to naturally boost your mood:
1) Drink Tea
Considering that tea is the second most consumed beverage in the entire world (after water), who knew this magic cup of goodness could boost your mood?
L-theanine, a compound found in tea and particularly in green tea, is an antidepressant and natural stress-reducer. Its relaxing properties on the mind and body are known to decrease anxiety and PMS symptoms, while increasing our concentration and memory.
Also, there are many mood-enhancing herbs out there to be enjoyed in that teacup of yours. Try lemon balm tea to help soothe stress, chamomile for calming anxiety, or gotu kola for improving the flow of oxygen to the brain, awakening and stimulating your mood!
Caffeine is a known mood-raiser, so if you are one of those caffeine-to-cope types, a little black tea or cup of coffee never hurt anyone!
2) Laughter
Laughter is the best medicine, and it’s true! Laughing not only relaxes the body and boosts your immunity, but it also stimulates endorphins, your body’s “feel good” chemicals.
How can we get our daily laughs? Simple. Read some jokes, watch ridiculous Youtube clips, or just call someone who tell stories and make you laugh. Let your laughter be contagious, I promise you’ll feel better.
And your mood lived happily ever laughter.
3) Exercise
This one’s a no brainer, as working out is known to enhance your mood. Haven’t you ever experienced that post workout high, that feeling of being elated? Feels amazing, huh? That is your brain releasing endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline. Those chemicals are what improve that mood of yours. So, when in doubt, take a hike or hop on that bike and move your body. There’s nothing better than a post workout glow and a positive mood to show.
4) Promote Kindness
Some days are easy, while others are a bit… uneasy. That’s called being human. I know that when I’m having a hard day, the best pick-me-up is making someone else feel good.
When you take the focus off of your life for a little and give to others, you’re ultimately giving back to yourself.
The Dalai Lama couldn’t have said it more perfectly: “When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.”
5) Do Something For You
While sprinkling random acts of kindness everywhere else, make sure to sprinkle some on you! How about enrolling yourself in an online class? Or buying some fresh cut flowers and making a bouquet for your room? Wake up and watch the sunrise or read an uplifting book that makes you smile. Take time to appreciate you and your lovely existence. You deserve it!
6) Beauty Rituals
Any beauty ritual, whether it’s soaking in a nice warm bath with essential oils or doing a nourishing facial mask, is always an instant mood booster.
Self-care rituals should be gentle, soothing and leave you feeling your best. Try adding lavender or jasmine essential oils to your bath, which help promote a sense of peace, relieving any nervous tension or stress from your day.
7) Alter your Space
Is that paint on your wall looking drab? Are your pictures in your frames outdated? Would a few more house plants liven things up? Maybe you just need a little rearranging and reorganizing to create some harmony in your home.
A change in your space feels renewing, refreshing and exciting; reinventing it will surely brighten up that mood and provide comfort for years to come.
8) Communication
Expressing yourself openly and honestly will help to increase your self awareness and understanding of a person or situation.
Call a friend today and tell them how much you appreciate them or hand write a letter to someone you love. Set reminders to be in touch with family and create comfortable dialogues with colleagues.
Communicating clearly will help to alleviate your tension and let things flow smoothly.
9) Headspace
This one is for the techies, spirit-junkies or anyone with a smartphone for that matter. Headspace is a meditation app, founded by Andy Puddicombe, who created this app to promote mindfulness for it’s users. All you have to do is take 10 minutes out of your day and tune in to an easy (and quite soothing) meditation led by Andy himself. You can listen to Headspace on the go, anytime and anywhere.
Headspace helps to alleviate stress, lack of focus, addictions, and worry, which are in direct correlation with your mood. Daily meditation is essential for creativity, enhancing relationships and promoting positivity in your life.
Of course meditation can take place without this app, but for those of you who have a hard time tuning in without someone to guide you to that quiet space, this 10 minute daily app will change your life! It’s truly my favorite part of the day. Did I mention Andy has a soothing English accent?
10) Chocolate
I’m pretty sure that if you’re a woman, chocolate would be the key to your heart. Maybe if you’re a man, too! According to David Wolfe (who might as well be a cacao bean), pure cacao is mighty rich in tryptophan, which enhances our mood.
Cacao also contains unique chemicals such as phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical produced in our bodies when we fall in love, and Anandamide, also known as the “bliss chemical”, an endorphin released when we feel good.
It makes sense that Wolfe is always having the best day ever. So when in doubt, eat a little chocolate (preferably raw to make sure you’re getting all the mood boosting chemicals).
How do you boost your mood? Share tips on easy ways to feel good!
By: Abby Stoecker
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/10/24/exercise-natures-mood-enhancer/
Worwood, Valerie Ann. ‘Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy’. New World Library, 1st Edition. 1991.
http://centeryourhealthblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/10-superfoods-by-david-wolfe.html
Take my sweet dog to the beach walk in the sand to feel grounded and inhale the sea air, it works every time. Preferably at sunset to add to the delight!
Cook something with fresh ingredients 😉
I love a hot bath at night before bedtime. But my afternoon pick-me-up is to take my cat on a walk around the backyard. He is great because he doesn’t take anything for granted. He sniffs every blade of grass, watches the grasshoppers, gets excited about the birds, and when he has investigated it all there’s a big production about rolling over on his back to let his belly bask in the sunshine. As I slowly pace alongside of him, my breathe slows and the colors become brighter. And everyone should try exposing their bellybutton to a warm sunbeam every now and again.
thanks for the great info & suggestions! I intend to implement them as well as take some time to look at the web sites that you listed! Love you products and your positive infulence on beauty, health and our environment! Joy to you!
Meditation and yoga, separately or together, both help me smooth out the edges and level my mood swings. Thanks you for a great article.