Easy Mood Boosters You Can Try Today

By Stepy Kamei

When it comes to improving your overall mental health and wellness, it can be overwhelming to be faced with all the things mental health professionals tell you that you should be doing. It's important to hear what they have to say, as your mental health is just as important as your physical health. However, if you're looking for less stressful ways to dip your toe in the water of better mental health habits, you're not alone. It can be scary to face down conditions such as mood disorders and anxiety disorders without knowing what you can do on a daily basis to at least manage the symptoms, if not prevent them from ever occurring at all. Fortunately, there are ways you can begin the process of improving your mental health in simple and easy ways that you can incorporate into your everyday habits and routine.

Smile and Laugh

Even if you don't feel like cracking a smile or laugh, it really can help boost your mood quickly. That's because the brain often tends to follow the signals it's getting from the body. So, when you smile (even if you don't mean it), this signals to the brain that it should release endorphins. Try simply smiling at strangers as you pass by, or even smile at yourself in the mirror. If you hear something funny, don't be afraid to let yourself laugh!

Practice Gratitude Daily

Many therapists report that one of the best ways their clients can start feeling better after being in a depressive state is by practicing gratitude on a daily basis. Many mental health professionals recommend that their patients start up a gratitude journal. First thing in the morning, or right before going to bed, patients are urged to write down 3-5 things that they are grateful for. A good way to start is by writing down three good things that happened during the day right before falling asleep. This is a perfect way to focus on the positive, even if the entire day seemed bad. Furthermore, drifting off to sleep in a good mood will increase your chances of sleeping better, which only makes you feel better the next day! After all, poor sleep can contribute to a poor mood.

Be Aware of Your Breathing

Interestingly, anxiety can often be caused by irregular breathing patterns, which can occur without us even realizing it. Hyperventilating is a common response to stress, and it can cause us to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and even more anxious than we were before. Take a moment to check in with yourself and make sure you are breathing deeply and calmly, especially during times of stress.

Get Outside 

Finally, many people have found that simply stepping outside can do wonders on their health and well-being. Natural sunlight and fresh air is a simple way to boost your mood. We thrive on outdoor exposure, so make sure to get outside as often as you can.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sugar Hill, Ga.