Your mood has a major impact on how well you’re able to function on any given day. Maintaining and nurturing your mental health will allow you to feel happier and more content on a regular basis.
Work on improving your mood, and you’ll find that life doesn’t seem as difficult or challenging for you. The good news is that there are ways you can quickly improve your state of mind and feel more at ease at the moment. Take these ideas with you no matter where you go, and you’ll feel confident knowing you can always instantly turn your mood around for the better.
Spend time outdoors
One idea for how you can instantly improve your mood is to spend more time outdoors enjoying the nice weather. Take up a sport such as golf where you can be out having fun, brushing up on your skills, and spending time outside simultaneously. Look the part by investing in golf bags and clubs of your own and shop for golf hats that are stylish and will keep the sun out of your eyes. Being outside has a way of making you feel happy and allows you to be more present in the moment.
Chat with an old friend
You can also instantly improve your mood by picking up the phone and calling an old friend. It’ll be nice to hear a familiar voice and catch up with someone who you care about. Reminisce about old times and share details about what each of you is up to in your own lives.
You’ll likely find yourselves laughing and feeling relaxed after just a few short minutes of chatting. These types of conversations will bring all the warm feelings to you and remind you of how important it is to nurture your relationships. There’s nothing better than getting in touch with an old friend and connecting with someone who knows you best.
Meditate or do yoga
Another way to instantly improve your mood is to engage in meditation or any type of yoga. Both of these activities are a great way to get in touch with your emotions and calm your mind of any racing thoughts. You can take a class with an instructor or participate in either of these options right from the comfort of your own home using an app or streaming service. Take note of how much more relaxed and calm you feel after a meditation or yoga session and that you’re simply in a better mood overall.
Break a sweat
When you exercise, you’re not only working your body but also reducing your mental stress at the same time. Instantly improve your mood by committing to breaking a sweat on a regular basis and noticing what a difference a workout makes in boosting your confidence levels and emotional state.
This is especially important to do if you’ve had a rough day at work or are feeling drained or upset. You can quickly turn your mood around by working out and listening to some of your favourite music while you’re at it. If you’re feeling less motivated as time goes on then find a friend who will commit to going to the gym with you, so you’re consistent about fitting in daily exercise.
Practise gratitude
The act of practising gratitude has been known to increase happiness and make you feel more fulfilled in general. Instantly improve your mood by being thankful for all the blessings you do have in your life. This way your mind will be less focused on what you think is missing or what you don’t have and more on what positives are occurring for you.
It’s a great way to start and end your day or exercise to do when you’re feeling low or down. You’ll start to notice that maybe your situation isn’t as bad as you once thought and that there’s a lot to look forward to for you in the future. You may get even more out of the act of practising gratitude if you journal and write down exactly how you’re feeling often.
Take away
These are just a few ways for how you can instantly improve your mood and help lift your spirits. Be sure to take note of and enjoy all the benefits that come from putting these ideas into action in your life. If you’re consistent about making positive choices and adjustments, then you’ll likely find that you tend to be in a better mood most days and can reduce any negativity and experience fewer unhelpful emotions and outlooks.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg.
