12 Quick Methods To Improve Your Mood Instantly

10/01/2023
Live Well Diary Team

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improve your mood instantly
Feeling down today? Bad moods can really impact our day-to-day. It sometimes leaves us feeling trapped.

This article shows you how to improve your mood with just a few simple changes in your daily routine.

1) Fix your posture

Stand up. Straighten up the shoulders, back, and breathe deeply from the diaphragm.

Gaze ahead. Focus your gaze on a spot, preferably at eye level, staring at something directly. This will help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which produces chemicals that promote relaxation and reduce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline released during anxiety or fear (which can exacerbate depression symptoms).

Repeat positive affirmations (e.g., “I am calm”) while doing this exercise until they feel natural enough to say them out loud without sounding forced or fake. This will help train your brain to feel calmer when faced with stressful situations later on.

2) Put on some music to improve your mood instantly.

Listening to music can divert attention, help overcome challenging moments or lift your spirits when feeling down.

It’s also an excellent distraction from any stressors one may be experiencing in life right now.

Music is helpful because it feels less daunting compared to self-help literature or other methods that demand involvement (such as engaging in conversations with others). If all else fails, find any song that makes you happy and dance along!

improve your mood - music

3) Get rid of the negative thoughts in your head.

Negative thoughts are the worst. Negative thoughts have a way of creeping up or lingering as beliefs that are held onto for ages. Regardless, they have the power to bring one down and hinder one’s ability to fully embrace life’s joys.

How do you get rid of these to improve your mood instantly?

Think about what you’re thinking—and why it might not be accurate. The first step is knowing when the thought is happening so that you have time to stop it before it spreads through your brain like a virus (an imposter). Try catching yourself with this phrase: “That’s a thought.” Then ask yourself if there’s any evidence at all behind it. If not, let it go!

Practice gratitude. Next time something wrong happens (or even good), take some time later on today to think about what went right in your day instead of focusing on what went wrong.

4) Put down your phone and take a breather.

Using social media could impact mood instantly and also negatively. It is not only Facebook or Instagram. Spending time on devices, such as computers or smartphones can result in unpleasant emotions when it distracts from what truly matters in life.

Taking a break from your phone can have advantages, such as:

  • Improving the quality of sleep and reducing anxiety and stress.
  • Enhancing the ability to concentrate at work, school or home without distractions.
  • Strengthening relationships effectively when they’re not solely reliant on digital screens.

5) Be with someone who can make you smile.

It’s easy to think we should be alone and wallow in sadness when feeling down. Spending time with the people we care about or our close friends can be advantageous.

Having a laugh is beneficial for health and happiness. Don’t isolate. Being around people who bring joy and laughter can really boost spirits.

improve your mood - relax

6) Do something that makes you happy.

Go ahead if you enjoy reading a book or watching a movie to unwind and improve your mood. Please do it. Make sure that it is easy for you to achieve.

On top of this, try thinking about what makes you happy and then doing it! For instance, if being in the company of loved ones brings joy, make an effort to spend quality time with them when opportunity arises. You can achieve this by giving them a call or meeting up face to face once per week.

7) Give some money to charity or tip more than usual at a restaurant.

Donating to charity brings a sense of fulfilment as it aids others but uplifts your own spirits by contributing positively without expecting anything in exchange.

Tipping more than usual takes almost no effort, yet it can make an enormous difference in another person’s day. When dining out or catching a cab, think about giving a little extra tip to show appreciation for the service. And if you feel like going above and beyond? Tip double! You’d be amazed by how the day can brighten up by paying attention to these things that can improve your mood instantly.

8) Watch funny videos online.

Sometimes, when feeling low, an excellent way to lift oneself is by changing one’s mindset. To achieve this, it’s essential to redirect focus from those thoughts towards positive ones. Enter: watching funny videos online. Even the silliest of clips can bring a smile and help put a damper on any bad feelings one might be having.

Some people might try to argue that this is an easy way out and isn’t making you feel better as much as a distraction from feeling worse. But, countering that argument is that viewing a funny video online requires no special effort or equipment. It’s typically free. At least doesn’t involve any cost. Plus it doesn’t have to disrupt your activities—you can view it while working, relaxing on the sofa during dinner or passing time before an appointment.

9) Take a walk in nature, not just the city streets or suburbs.

The beauty of the outdoors has a way of soothing our souls and lifting spirits. Whether it’s the blooming flowers in spring or the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, nature has a way of brightening the day.

Sometimes, there is no need to go out. When not in the mood, consider watching a nature video or flipping through a book with landscapes for a little while. The calming effect is instant; you’ll feel better immediately after starting.

improve your mood - walk in nature

10) Invite a friend over to watch a movie

If you need a mood boost but don’t want to stare at the screen, invite a friend to watch something instead. It’ll give the two of you a chance to get away from your troubles—and the screen—and focus on each other. Pick a funny or uplifting movie, like Mary Poppins.

You can make up your own rules for your movie night. No worrying about what job problems you’ll have tomorrow. Not wondering about what happened at work today. No thinking about bills due next week—just enjoy an evening with good company and some fun entertainment!

11) Play with a pet.

Petting animals releases endorphins and oxytocin, the happiness hormones that make us feel both physically and mentally good. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

12) Take a long shower or bath.

Saving the best for last, here’s something that can make a huge difference in a hurry. I’m not talking about some kind of fancy regimen that includes expensive creams or radical lifestyle changes.

One way to improve one’s mood is indulging in a lengthy relaxing shower or bath or go submerge in a soothing and rejuvenating bathtub. There’s something about being in the water that trumps just about every other activity when it comes to mood-boosting benefits. People who are stressed or down tend to seek water—they might go for a swim, a hot tub soak, or just stand under the shower.

Even though you may have been feeling like you need help right now, that habit of seeking out water is something to nurture—when you’re feeling down, get into the shower! In addition to its mood-enhancing properties, it helps you relax and sleep better.

Conclusion

Sometimes it’s natural to experience moments when we feel a bit stagnant or unsure. There are actions we can take to uplift our spirits and improve our mood instantly.

The key is finding ways to have fun and enjoy your life. Once you learn to find joy daily, your bad moods will become few and far between!

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Images Used

Photo by Büşranur Aydın: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-white-winter-jacket-and-beanie-standing-on-a-bridge-14644217/

Photo by Alena Zadorozhnaya: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-lighted-candles-by-the-window-10163378/

Photo by Elina Sazonova: https://www.pexels.com/photo/musical-notes-on-piano-keys-3971983/

Photo by Andre Furtado: https://www.pexels.com/photo/standing-woman-surrounded-of-sunflowers-1260988/

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