If you’re feeling a bit blue, and you will from time to time as a caregiver, you might be surprised to hear that are lots of ways to lift your mood in less than a minute. Skeptical? Try these and see!
- Smile! Smile and make eye contact with the sales staff in the store and people you pass in the neighborhood. The physical act of using your smile-muscles can genuinely make you feel happy. And it’s contagious! Chances are you’ll make them smile too and improve their day.
- Have a snack. A handful of nuts or a square of dark chocolate will send endorphins flooding into your brain and lift your mood fast.
- Enjoy the sunshine. Go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. Studies have shown that people who have significant exposure to light suffer less depression, fewer sleep problems and are even more productive. If you can’t make it outside look out of a window.
- Go for a walk. Even walking around the block will help to lift your heart rate and energy levels.
- Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Breathe in and out deeply three times. Focused breathing lowers your blood pressure and calms the mind.
- Lift your shoulders up to your ears and then let them drop. Do this three times and feel the tension subside. It’s easy to hold onto a lot of tension and stress without realizing it.
- Put some drops of lavender and orange essential oils in a diffuser. These oils have been shown to help with anxiety and to promote calmness and positivity.
- If you’re feeling nervous go into the restroom or another private place and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Open your arms wide breathing in and out then give yourself a big hug. It’s almost impossible to do this without smiling.
- Stand up straight, lift your head and throw your shoulders back. Adopt a Wonder Woman or Superman pose and feel the change in your energy.
- A cup of tea or coffee will instantly lift your mood. You probably know that caffeine is a stimulant, but even low or no caffeine hot drinks will give you a boost or calm you down whether it’s chamomile, green tea, a chai latte even hot water and lemon will do the trick.
- Listen to music that you love. You can choose custom mood music, or play your old favorites. Music has been shown to have a powerful effect on mood.
- Ask for a hug. A family member or friend would love to give you the instant comfort of an embrace.
Which mood buster will you try? Or maybe you have your own, comment below.