by Guest Blogger, Hannah Garcia
When you’re feeling a little down in the dumps, it can be hard to find the motivation to get yourself up and going, in order to do something that will make you feel better. Despite what many people think, there are plenty of mood-boosting activities (that don’t require too much exertion) that you can try from the comfort of your home.
While these activities may be less obvious, they are equally as effective when it comes to increasing your emotional well being. In this article, we break down three surprising things that can help to boost your mood.
Learning
In order to decrease negative feelings and start to feel happier, it can be helpful to understand why you’re feeling the way that you’re feeling, so that you can then take steps to change it. By opting to study a subject that will increase your self-awareness, you’ll often find you become a little more in tune with the subtleties of your moods, and perhaps even learn some healthy coping strategies that will help to give you a happiness boost.
As well as helping you to better understand yourself, learning new information can help to keep your mind curious and engaged in the goings on of the world, and offer you a sense of accomplishment.
Movement
We’re often told that exercise is a mood booster, and while this is true, what many people don’t realise is that gentle movement can be just as beneficial on an emotional level as an intense workout.
Movement doesn’t always have to mean sport. In fact, it can be as simple as dancing around the house, or performing some stretches in the morning – as well as any other activity that releases mood-boosting endorphins. When we do things that help our body to feel good, our mental well being tends to follow suit.
Downtime
How often do you get a moment all to yourself to simply relax and reflect on the day? While keeping yourself busy is great for distracting from unwanted feelings, downtime is equally as important for restoring some mental balance.
While going out might be fun, it’s not always going to work as a mood-boosting activity – particularly if you’re feeling burnt out or stressed. In times like these, you simply need to slow down, and give your mind some time to rest and re-energies. For a top tip, you may want to incorporate meditation into your quiet-time ritual, for an added boost to your mental health.
Find an activity that works for you
Of course, there are plenty more things that you can do to boost your mood, and ultimately, you really need to look inward to figure out what it is that your mind wants and needs. Whether you’re somebody who finds socialising is a pick-me-up, or the kind of person who gets a boost from spending time at home, you should never feel reluctant to try new, unique activities that may just surprise you when it comes to boosting your mood.
