All of us have days when we’re out of sorts. You just wish you were in a better mood. You’ve had days like that, haven’t you? Perhaps you tried to get yourself into a better state of mind but struggled to achieve it.
Sometimes we get stuck in our own emotional dumps and forget how easy it is to feel happier, so here are seven simple ways to lift your mood. Many people have found them useful. Some of them may surprise you!
1. Go for a walk.
Most people know that going for a short daily walk is one of the best forms of exercise. When you are feeling down it is even more beneficial. If you can, go into a natural environment with plants and birds.
Can you visualize such a setting not helping to lift your mood and quieten your busy mind, the tranquility of this setting immediately brings a peaceful feeling?
What do you notice first?
The different shades of greenery, the fresh smell of country air, the sounds of birds, or the sunlight shining through the trees?
Make it real by taking a short stroll.
2. Listen to quality music.
Music can shift a listener’s state within moments. Its effect can be nearly magical. Dig out that CD you haven’t listened to in ages or tune in your radio to something you’ve never listened to before. Meditation music is a wonderful way to feel calm and collected if you’re feeling the strain of a busy day.
3. Open yourself to discovering something new.
Read something (printed, not online) different than what you would normally watch. There are a ton of different types of magazines can you get these days. Visit your local library or browse through a magazine rack. Pick up or buy a magazine you wouldn’t normally buy. You may discover something wonderful. Go to a used bookstore and find a treasure you never expected.
4. Find something to laugh at.
Laughter is one of the best ways to lift your spirits. Find a humorous book or watch a comedy. Even better, try to learn a few new jokes and tell them to others. If your fortunate to have children around their play can’t help but bring a smile to your face and laughter to your heart.
5. Simple breathing meditation.
Breathing meditation is a great exercise that you can do anywhere.
Simply allow yourself to sit comfortably with your back straight.
Now close your eyes and become aware of the flow of air into and out of your nostrils. That’s all there is to it.
Do this for 10-15 minutes, even 5 minutes if that’s all you can manage, you can work up to 10 and onwards.
Notice how pleasantly surprised you can be at how you feel afterward.
6. Doodling for the fun of it.
Most people can remember when they were young and used to doodle for hours. Kids love drawing silly little pictures. Drawing is not just for kids or artists. Whoever you are get some pens, pencils, crayons or whatever you have and just draw for the fun of it. There are many adult colouring books available for purchase or free download on the net. Notice how your state of mind shifts when you’ve spent some time in Mindfulness just doodling and colouring.
7. Think of others less fortunate.
The fact that you are reading this article suggests that you are probably much better off than most people on this planet. At times this may be hard to believe, but if you can read and have access to the internet, just those two things alone mean you are better off than most people in the world. There are many human beings that barely have access to the basics of survival. There are people in lots of pain. Allow your compassion for them to grow. Your compassion for others alone will bring the gift of gratitude for what you already have and inspire you to share this gift with others.
These are all pretty simple. There’s nothing profound or life changing, but when all you need is a quick pick me up these may be just the thing you need. Putting simple ideas, methods, tools and techniques into action will help you achieve change quicker and easily–surprisingly so at time– than you imagine.