10 Things That Will Instantly Put You in A Good Mood

Do you ever feel low and then don’t really know what you can do to improve your mood? We all like being in a good mood but sometimes we can’t really figure out what to do about it. 

So Psych2goers it is my pleasure to give you a list of 10 things that will instantly put you in a good mood. 

Disclaimer- This article is for educational purposes and is based on personal opinions. This article is not a substitute for professional advice, but general guidance. We advise you to always listen to your intuition and always do what is right for you. If you can relate to any of these signs, please do not take this feedback as an attack on your character. This article is meant to be a self-improvement guide for those of you who have been feeling a little stuck.

1. Listening to music-

A recent AARP study on music and brain health reported some intriguing findings of music’s effect on cognitive and emotional well-being:

• As compared to the general population, music listeners had higher mental well-being ratings and significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression.
• Active musical involvement was linked to higher levels of happiness and good cognitive performance in people over the age of 50.
• Adults who had no early musical exposure but now enjoy music have higher mental well-being ratings than the general population.

So, look through your old playlist, dance around to some peppy tunes, sing your heart out. Let the music lift you up. 

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2. Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation-

Exercise is a great way to get your heart rate up. Staying active releases endorphins that are natural chemicals produced by the body that make you feel good. Remember to start small and take it slow. 

Research conducted by Harvard University states that yoga and meditation can be a very appealing way to help control symptoms for many patients suffering from depression, anxiety, or stress.

Indeed, scientific research on yoga shows that mental and physical wellbeing are not only intertwined but practically similar. The evidence is growing that yoga practice is a relatively low-risk, high-yield approach to improving overall health.

3. Spending time with family and friends-

It is never a bad idea to spend time with your family and friends. Robert Waldinger, the current director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, summarized the findings from decades of research. The main result, he concluded, is that social connections are one of the most important factors for people’s happiness and health. He said: “Those who kept warm relationships got to live longer and happier, and the loners often died earlier”. 

So go on, reconnect with your old friends, spend time with your family, stay in touch with your friends. 

4. Practice self-care-

Self-care is an important thing to practice daily. This will cause a better balance among your wellness dimensions, as well as improved overall health and wellness. Whether it’s doing a long skincare routine or slapping on some moisturizer, manicures, or pedicures, going for a run or taking a long shower, journaling or reading, cooking or cleaning. Do what makes you feel like your truest self. You deserve to pamper yourself and take some time for yourself to relax and enjoy your own company. After all, life is a gift to be cherished and savored.

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5. Eat good food-

There is nothing better than having a good meal. You know the mood and food are often connected if you’ve ever found yourself in front of the TV after a bad day, mindlessly digging ice cream out of the container with a spoon. There is something comforting about eating well. A healthy body will help you have a healthy and happier mind. 

6. Watch a movie-

All art is a mind-altering substance. Anything that makes you get involved in it in a small way changes the way you see things. The story will sit with you or make you feel the emotions that were strongly depicted in a movie. So tune into Netflix, Hulu, or even YouTube and watch some feel-good movies. Throw in some candy and popcorn and let the marathon begin.

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7. Do a social media detox-

Social media tends to get toxic and can have severe effects on one’s mental health. We as human beings have a natural tendency to compare our lives to others and unfortunately, social media gives us the perfect sources to do so. Take some time away from social media, mute those irrelevant notifications, and delete those unwanted apps. Take some time away from social media to focus on your own beautiful self. 

8. Go for a walk-

Taking a walk can be refreshing. Whether it’s walking to a destination or just talking a walk to unwind. Look around, take in the fresh air, listen to music or a podcast, go for a walk with a friend, take some time out of your busy schedule to clear your head. Use this time to eliminate any negative thoughts and embrace positive ones. 

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9. Journal- 

Do you feel like your thoughts are all over the place? Would you like to have it all in one place? 

Try Journaling! Journaling is an instrument that enables complex thoughts and feelings to be processed, which helps facilitate positive thinking and self-talk. By cleaning up your mental clutter, concentrating your mind on meaningful things, and creating awareness about your thoughts and feelings can increase awareness of anxiety and depression.

Tracking events and emotional responses allows us to recognize emotional triggers and learn effective ways to prepare for them. Writing a journal also allows us to identify negative thoughts and behaviors, while also providing an opportunity for positive self-talk.

10. Do an evening review-

An evening review means you take a few moments to pause and reflect on your day. You can do this in whatever form you like.

Here are 2 ways that you could go about it. 

• As you look back on your day, identify one thing you could do 1% better tomorrow.

For example: Be 1% nicer when talking to the doorman, be 1% more friendly with your coworkers, be 1% more patient with your barista. I like the 1% rule because it’s small enough to appear doable, but when multiplied over time, small improvements of 1% add up to significant changes.

• Identify one thing you’re grateful for;

For example, the good meal you ate, an empty seat on the train, the beautiful weather where you live; the fact that you’re healthy.

Developing the habit of doing a quick evening review can be an effective but simple way to boost the mood at the end of the day because it puts things in perspective: well, some things didn’t go so well today, but there’s still plenty of space for change tomorrow, and there are still a lot of wonderful things in my life for which I’m grateful.

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References;

Robert N. Kraft Ph.D.(September 26, 2019) Journaling for Health. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/defining-memories/201909/journaling-health#:~:text=Tracking%20events%20and%20emotional%20responses,opportunity%20for%20positive%20self%2Dtalk.&text=Every%20so%20often%20we%20should%20read%20and%20re%2Dread%20our%20journal.

Nick Wignall (November 10, 2019). 10 Easy Ways to Put Yourself in a Good Mood Quickly.Retrieved May 13, 2021, from

https://nickwignall.com/good-mood/

Andrew E. Budson, MD ( October 07, 2020).Why is music good for the brain? Retrieved May 13, 2021, from

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-is-music-good-for-the-brain-2020100721062

Esteban Ortiz-Ospina (July 17, 2019). Are we happier when we spend more time with others? Retrieved May 13, 2021, from

https://ourworldindata.org/happiness-and-friends