Give Your Moods a Boost: 7 Natural Mood Boosters to Turn Frowns Upside Down
As people navigate through the week’s challenges, it is sometimes difficult to make time for themselves. However, when you budget time to incorporate more mood boosters into your day, you can relieve anxiety, transform your outlook on life, and become a happier person. Take a moment to examine the seven most effective natural mood boosters and how you can build them into your daily routine.
Soak in your daily dose of sunlight (vitamin D)
If you are in the middle of a busy workday, a ten-minute walk outside can rejuvenate your mood. Natural sunlight is full of vitamin D, which elevates your mood and helps prevent mood disorders like depression.
Sunlight can also help you sleep better. Getting thirty to sixty minutes of sunlight will allow you to control your circadian rhythms more efficiently. Consistently sunlight lets your body know when you need to adjust your melatonin levels. When your melatonin levels are appropriately regulated, it means better sleep and a better overall mood.
Build meditation into your day
Not only does meditation boost your self-image, but it redefines your view of life. Meditation puts you in a position where you can block out all distractions and focus on your inner strengths. When you become one with your mind and body, you can experience many long-term mood benefits.
When you participate in regular meditation, you are less likely to experience negative thoughts. Your outlook on real-time events will change, which leads to a more positive mood.
When your body responds to stress, it releases chemicals (cytokines), which reduce mood and causes depression. According to multiple studies, meditation reduces the number of cytokines, which strengthens your spirit in the long run.
Get healthy amounts of sleep
Whether you realize it or not, the brain sorts through emotions while you sleep. Therefore, your mind needs ample time to organize these feelings. When you give your body enough hours of sleep, it enables you to react levelly to life’s challenges. Over time, you will experience more favorable emotional reactions than negative ones.
Apart from a better mood, sleep also boosts your memory and sharpens the brain. When you do not get enough sleep, your mind has more difficulty retaining information. By catching the necessary amount of sleep, your brain can process new information and stay curious, which will help elevate your mood.
Laugh and smile more
Laughing and smiling might be two of the simplest mood boosters on the list, but they are very effective. When you smile or laugh, your body produces three crucial hormones: serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. These hormones make you feel happier and improve your overall mood.
What are some activities to produce a smile or laugh? Try looking through old photos or videos of a positive memory. You will be surprised at how much happiness that can bring. Other activities to cause smiles and laughter include:
- Watching a funny movie
- Hanging out with friends or family
- Taking a walk through nature
There’s no shortage of ways to turn a frown upside down if you’re looking for more stable emotions.
Drink plenty of water
Hydration plays a critical role in your brain function and mood. According to the British Journal of Nutrition, a 1-3% fluid loss can negatively alter concentration and mood.
As you go through our busy day, it can be easy to neglect drinking water consistently. Carrying a bottle around or setting hourly reminders can do more than boost your mood. Hydration is critical in elevating physical performance in sports, training, and average body functions. When you perform better, it will have a positive impact on your mood in the long run.
Write down all your thoughts in a journal
Daily journaling during the morning or night is one of the best things you can do for your mood. Writing down your thoughts on paper allows you to express yourself. It also allows you the time and space to process your thoughts healthily.
When you sit down to write in your journal, you can write about anything you want. You could write about the highlights from your day, challenges you overcame, and any feelings you currently experience. Journaling is an excellent way to reflect on your growth and development through life. When you understand yourself and how far you have progressed, it will impact your mood positively.
Listen to music
Music uniquely affects your mood. Every person has a different relationship with a song, and that relationship sparks feelings. Organizations like the American Music Therapy Association claim that music therapy can help people improve memory, regulate stress, and reduce pain.
When you hear harmonious sounds and tunes, it gives you a joyful feeling to help boost your moods. It also helps with concentration because it blocks out most external distractions.
Wrap up
As you can see, you cannot put a price on mood boosters. There are natural ways to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve your outlook on life, and be grateful for each new day. Your body will truly thank you if you budget meaningful time to put these natural mood boosters into practice.