Literally, everyone has one of those days. We all occasionally have days where we may wake up on the wrong side of the bed or start the day off on the wrong foot. Bad moods happen. There are, however, tried and true techniques we can all use to help cheer ourselves up when we aren’t in a great mood. Here are some tips you can practice to help put a smile back on your face.
Tips to put yourself in a better mood
Feel it to heal it. Science says that if you allow yourself to feel an emotion it will last just 90 seconds and then you will be onto something else.
Observe things. Become a witness to what you sense using your 5 senses. You’ll go beyond reaction to response mode.
Rock your body. Do some jumping jacks. Run up or down the stairs. Walk around the block. Do something to get your body moving and the mind will follow.
Clear the slate. Meditate by walking, breathing, mindfulness, whatever strategy makes sense to you.
Gather your hall of champions. List the people in your life who lift you up and help you carry on. Then mentally imagine them in front of you having a heart to heart with you about the topic on your mind or reach out by phone and have a good talk.
Say thank you. Make a gratitude list of 10 things you are grateful for. The part of the brain that handles gratitude is different from the part that handles worry so you are flexing new muscles!
Have some images on hand that inspire you? Images can have an instant, powerful effect on our subconscious. What images boost you up? What images invoke awe in you?
Activities to bring a smile to your face
Still in a funk? Here are some additional activities that will help turn that frown upside down
Pay a visit to mother nature Spending time outdoors is pretty much free therapy taken advantage of by millions of people worldwide.
Go for a walk When you feel yourself in a panic, take a break and go for a walk outside. Walking not only does the body good, it also helps mental health, according to doctors.
Soak in a warm bath Create your own at-home remedy by relaxing in a hot bath. A quick soak is all you’ll need. Try adding a little lavender essential oil or lavender infused salts to help you relax.
Get some sunshine If you’re feeling down, you might not be getting enough sunshine and Vitamin D. In fact, researchers are finding a link between lack of sun exposure and depression. Take advantage of the sunshine when it’s out.
Surround yourself with positive people Negativity is infectious. So too are the positive vibrations from happy people.
Do something creative Studies show the connection between art and healing to restore emotional balance. Painting, writing, drawing, coloring — creative activities such as these provide a positive outlet for releasing emotional distress.
Phone a friend If you find yourself in a negative thought loop, it can help to get out of your head and speak to true friends or to a relative who cares. Even just having someone listen to what’s on your mind alleviates stress.
Spend time gardening Nurturing plants has major benefits for your mind, body, and soul. Start small with an herb garden in your kitchen, or plant an outdoor garden.
Do something nice for someone else Karma. Doing good things for someone else makes you feel good, too. Buy a stranger a coffee. Donate to a charity. Cook dinner for a friend. Kind gestures such as these lead to greater happiness.
Exercise Physical activity not only benefits physical health. Regular exercise also relieves stress and boosts your overall mood. Find an activity that you enjoy whether it is yoga, swimming, jogging, hiking, or a combination of them all.
Catch some Zzzzzzzz’s Sleep deprivation will negatively impact your mood. If all been a little cranky from time to time when we needed a nap.
Drink more water The brain is very sensitive to dehydration, and lack of water can cause drops in mood. If you find yourself feeling down, make sure you drink enough water. Doctors recommend at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day.
Grab a snack Have you ever heard of someone being “hangry” or angry because they are hungry? It is important to pay attention to your body’s cues, so eat when your stomach starts growling at you.
About PLAN
We are a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to future care planning for disabled adults due to mental illness. Incorporated in 1999, PLAN was formed by a group of families with disabled family members — mostly sons and daughters — concerned about who would care for their disabled dependents when they were no longer able to do so themselves.
PLAN of Central Ohio offers an activities program where clients can form friendships, practice social skills and just have fun. We meet two times a month, transporting clients to and from each activity. Our case manager/client ratio is approximately 1 to 5 to provide a safe, supervised outing. Our program includes casual dinners at inexpensive restaurants, outings to movies and trips to local places of interest. We have been able to continue our activities program in a safe, socially-distanced way, despite the COVID-19 epidemic. We also offer Zoom-based activities to meet the needs of those who do not wish to be out and about in these unprecedented times.
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