There will be days when being positive and remaining upbeat will seem like a very difficult task. You might have had a particularly stressful day at work or you have even gotten into some sort of altercation with someone; whatever the case is, rest well in the knowledge that there are absolutely things that you can do in order to feel better
It really is not that surprising that bad moods have the ability to sneak up on us very regularly. There have been a lot of studies conducted on the matter and researchers seem to agree that the reason behind someone’s negative mood can vary from person to person. It may arise if you happened to forget the birthday of a loved one for instance, or because of all the things that have piled up in your to-do list. Even some modern issues such as not getting enough engagement on a particularly personal social media post can also bring about bouts of bad mood. The fact of the matter is that humans, in general, are highly sensitive creatures. As such, it is not at all uncommon or surprising that we happen to get into a sort of funk from time to time.
Research has also been able to show that while our genes and life circumstances will play a definite role in how happy we are, about 40 percent of that happiness is determined by the thoughts we have on a daily basis and the actions we perform on a daily basis. This means that, in essence, there are steps we can take to help us elevate our moods when we know that things are not going right with regards to mood. If you want to know how to turn your mood around in a relatively short period of time, then this article has been tailored for you.
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Turn on some uplifting music
This one ought to not be that surprising. We all feel better when we are listening to a favorite tune of ours. So, if you are feeling down, turning on your favorite upbeat playlist can really help you to feel better. In fact, this has been proven by research. One thing that you ought to be aware of is that you should not be asking yourself, “Is it working?” while listening to your music. Just relax and try to enjoy the experience as much as possible.
Laugh A Little
Laughter has the very real ability to increase the amount of dopamine that we have in our brains. Dopamine is directly responsible for elevating our moods. There are also other studies that show that laughing can have a profoundly positive effect on our bodies and minds. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughing can actually increase the oxygen that we have in our bodies. This can then cool down the stress response system that we have which will result in us feeling a lot more positive and also relaxed. So, if you are feeling down and are looking for some quick relief, turning on your favorite comedy shows may do you a lot of good.
Take a Walk Around The Neighborhood
One of the best things about walking outside is that you get exposed to natural sunlight that is really beneficial for our bodies and overall health. Studies have been able to show that the people who get proper exposure to sunlight are able to sleep better and are also much less likely to get into depression. There is also a lot of evidence that suggests that this light can make you a lot more alert and also a lot more productive. It has also been proven that any form of exercise, even the really light ones, can really help with elevating your mood. One of the most important things you ought to remember when it comes to exercising is that no amount is too little. Even a mediocre intensity exercise can do you a lot of good. Do not be one of those people who set themselves unrealistic goals and never follow through. Just make sure you set yourself attainable goals.
Hug Someone
This is also something that has been proven quite extensively by a lot of researchers. Whenever you happen to stimulate the skin’s pressure receptors, you will effectively be also lowering your stress levels and hormones. Another thing you ought to know is that touching another human being has the ability to stimulate oxytocin. This chemical also has numerous positive effects on our mood as well.
One other thing that you can do is to self-massage yourself. You can do this by rubbing your hands, forehead, and neck. This type of self-massage has been known to decrease the heart rate of a person and also reduce cortisol levels in the body. This is a type of stress hormone and lowering its presence in the body is one of the primary goals of de-stressing.
Try Light Therapy
We have already mentioned in this article how important it is to get enough natural light during the day in order to keep our moods stable. Unfortunately, there are parts of the world where this is simply not possible. For people who live in these parts of the world, one form of therapy has become a life-saver and that therapy is known as Red Light Therapy or Light Therapy.
This is a type of therapy that has gotten immensely popular among people who are health conscious and also those who are fitness freaks. This is because this is a type of therapy that really works and has no harmful side effects. Light therapy sessions during the day can also really help with boosting a person’s mood.