6 Ways to Instantly Boost Your Mood on a Bad Day
Written by: Cora Gold
Some days are harder than others. Whether something happened that tanked your mood or you woke up feeling that way, it can be hard to make it through your everyday tasks. However, you don’t have to stay in the doldrums. Here are six pick-me-ups that can transform a bad day.
1. Spend Time in Nature
When you’re having a hard time, it can be challenging to get yourself to do many simple things. However, merely stepping outside has a host of benefits that could shift your mood. Spending time in green spaces can increase your positive emotions, give you a break from overstimulation, boost your mindfulness, and reduce your rumination and anxiety.
Start your day on a better note or step away from a situation that upset you by taking a hike, bike ride or walk. Even sitting among greenery can work wonders.
2. Try a Craft
You’d be surprised by how much making something can perk you up. Trying something new or resuming a craft you’ve been working on has short-term advantages for your mood, mental health and overall well-being. It can also give you a bit of extra self-esteem.
Don’t try to do something perfectly. Make a messy watercolor painting, crochet bag or felt blanket just for the fun of it. The satisfaction you feel when you’re done can boost your mood and fuel you to keep trying new projects.
3. Have a Jam Session
Dancing and singing like no one’s watching is great for your mental health. According to a study from the University of California, Los Angeles, unchoreographed movement had mental health benefits for those with trauma, depression and anxiety. Additionally, 98% of all the surveyed dancers said it made their mood better. So, when you’re feeling stuck in a rut, dancing with yourself could give you a bit more spark.
Singing gives you some extra positivity, too. It activates your nerves and increases excitement, which assists your mental health. You’ll also lower your stress and release endorphins, which are the brain’s happy chemicals. Gather a few friends for an impromptu karaoke session or belt out some of your favorite lyrics on your own, and feel how it changes your mood.
4. Give Yourself a Deep Clean
Sometimes, all you need is a solid reset, and a good shower is the perfect way to do that. Block off a chunk of time for pampering yourself with a hair mask, exfoliating scrub, moisturizer, face mask and anything else you like to include in your self-care routine.
By focusing purely on yourself and what makes you feel good, you can experience benefits like stress relief, better sleep and greater mindfulness. Plus, it can bolster your spirits and make you feel more confident.
5. Spend Time With a Loved One
The people who love you will be there for you when things are rough. Give a friend or family member a call to see if they have time to chat or meet up with you. You can either talk about what’s going on and see if they can offer advice or simply enjoy being in someone else’s company.
According to research, having a friend next to you when you’re doing something difficult means your heart rate will be lower than if you were alone. Scientists have even recorded people reporting hills as less steep when they have a loved one around. When you’re with someone you can rely on, your struggles can seem much more manageable.
6. Shake up Your Space
Changing your environment could be just what you need. While booking a vacation immediately would be nice, many can’t get time off that fast. Doing little things like decluttering and rearranging your home can have a similar mental health effect, as well as getting more sunlight and adding a new coat of paint to a wall.
A walk can give you that sense of change, too. If you don’t have any good green spaces near you, take a stroll around your neighborhood. Spotting some flowers you hadn’t noticed before or getting yourself a treat from a local bakery you’ve never tried can inject some positivity into your day.
You Can Turn a Bad Day Around
When you’re in a bad mood, it can feel like nothing will go your way. Taking some little things into your own hands can turn a crummy day around. Give these ideas a shot the next time you could use a boost.