Have you ever found yourself feeling really low, and you want to feel happy?
I do too sometimes, in this blog post I've compiled a list of activities that are scientifically proven to make you happier.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: If you are feeling really upset and whatever situation you are facing is occupying your mind, make sure to be patient with yourself and journal your thoughts before trying to boost your mood. You need to really comprehend and understand why you are feeling down. If you try these mood boosters before you do this, you will bury your emotions even further and it can intensify them in the long run.
Another thing I wanted to add is if your sadness continues longer than a few weeks, you might have depression, please seek help if so.
First off, I want to go over how these boosters really work.
The cause of your bad mood is always negative thoughts.
So, if we divert our flow of thoughts to a more positive place, our mood will instantly change too.
These boosters that I have listed at the bottom all have one thing in common, they shift your negative outlook to a more positive outlook.
There are also 4 chemicals that are released in your body whenever you shift your focus. These chemicals are often nicknamed "happiness chemicals," they are Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphin.
Releasing just one of these chemicals is enough to make you happy.
Below, I will be going through each chemical/hormone and listing ways you can release them.
Remember the last time you checked off a box in your to-do list? Did you feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, like a little burst of happiness? That is dopamine, the "feel good" hormone. Here are some healthy ways you can release dopamine.
(Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels)
Listening to your favorite songs. Spend a few minutes listening to some of your favorite songs. This can be done while doing chores, not only does it boost your mood it will also make doing chores a fun part of your day. This action boosts your mood because you're spending time with yourself and giving yourself the attention it deserves, which will automatically make you feel a blend of both dopamine and oxytocin.
(Lisa Fotios, Pexels)
Eating your favorite food can have all the difference. Food is something that I feel like we take for granted at times. We usually just turn on the TV and stuff ourselves with food, and by doing so we don't appreciate food as much. So the next time you're about to take a bite of the food in front of you, try to focus on being present and fully experiencing the art of eating.
Create a vision board. This is a fun and creative way to boost your mood and get excited about the future. One of the main ways to release dopamine is by getting motivated about something, and that is exactly what a vision board does. In your vision board, cut out pictures of places you want to visit, things you want to buy, experiences you want to try out, really anything!
Oxytocin is often referred to as the "bonding" hormone. When you release this hormone it means you feel cared for, nurtured, and loved.
(Josh Willink, Pexels)
Hugging someone. This simple gesture can make you feel a huge burst of oxytocin. Next time you see a close family member or friend, just come up to them and hug them fiercely. They will be confused at first, but I promise you they won't mind :)
Talking and Spending time with loved ones. I wouldn't recommend doing this if you yourself are in a negative place mentally, but if you are open and positive, this will really make you feel so much more happier and fulfilled. We as humans need social interaction! So go ahead and call that friend that you've been meaning to call, create a conversation with your dad or mom, or facetime your grandparents.
(RODNAE Productions, Pexels)
Helping someone out or being kind to someone. As I mentioned before, the cause of your bad mood is always negative thoughts. So right now your mind is probably going in a spiral of negative thoughts, but when you help someone out or exchange some kind words with someone, your thoughts will take a sharp turn and you will start thinking thoughts such as "you are such a kind person :)" and you will naturally become happier!
Being kind to yourself. The simple act of being kind to yourself is often overlooked, but it can seriously improve your mood, especially if you were mean to yourself before. I recommend just going through whatever simple mini-actions you took today, and just being like "I'm proud of myself for waking up today, I'm proud of myself for brushing my teeth, etc, etc."
As the famous saying goes "laughter is the best medicine." Turns out that is actually true, laughter relaxes the whole body and makes life more carefree and happier by releasing endorphins, the "pain killer."
(Aleksandr Balandin, Pexels)
Laughing. Think back to a hilarious situation you experienced, and laugh it off. Hang out with your friends and play "Can you make me laugh?" that will surely end with a laugh! Spend time with an individual that makes you laugh easily, and watch a funny sitcom or funny memes on youtube. Find ways to laugh today!
(Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels)
Exercising. Whenever your body is exercising it releases endorphins instantly making you feel more positive and upbeat. Exercising also has the added bonus of making you feel more confident about your appearance which boosts your self-esteem.
Finally, Serotonin is the "mood stabilizer." When you release this hormone you feel more focused, emotionally stable, and calmer.
(Min An, Pexels)
Being in nature. I remember one day in quarantine I was feeling groggy and tired from staring at screens almost the whole day, but as soon as I stepped outside I felt rejuvenated and free! Being in nature will help you feel more connected to Mother Nature and feel more present and aware of your surroundings. Stepping outside can additionally help with your concentration, so it's especially useful before studying.
(Oluremi Adebayo, Pexels)
Meditating. Throughout the day we are so occupied with our thoughts and experiences so taking time to be more aware of the flow of your thoughts will stabilize and ground you. Meditation has also been proven to help reduce stress in day-to-day life and has helped people become more positive and carefree.
Getting enough sleep. There's no other feeling like getting the right amount of sleep, it can really impact the rest of your day! Good sleep improves your brain performance, mood, and health.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and hopefully gained beneficial information. And please note that you won't stay sad forever, your mind will eventually move on. Happy holidays! See you in the next post :)
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