10 Ways to Improve Your Mood (Pt. 1)

Everybody feels stressed, anxious, or upset sometimes. The trick is knowing how to handle it!  This (and next!) week we’ll offer you a few tips for staying happy and healthy.  Today, we’ll focus on simple but scientifically-proven quick fixes.  Next week we’ll talk about some long-term habits that’ll keep you on the brighter side of things.

1. Breathe: knowing how to focus your attention on your breath instead of your problems can help in all kinds of stressful situations.  Here are three exercises to get you started!

2. Daydream: this might be the first time someone’s encouraged you to daydream, but it’s for good reason!  According to Stanford University researchers, reflecting on good memories activates areas of the brain that improve mood.

3. Smile: researchers at University of Tampere in Finland have reaffirmed the fact that putting on a genuine smile can actually promote feelings of pleasure!  Make sure it’s a real one though.  Put those daydreams to use again and use the positive thoughts to make you smile.  A forced one can actually make things worse.

4. Hydrate: it’s almost never a bad idea to have another glass of water.  Being dehydrated can make you feel tired and sluggish.  So make sure you’re getting those 8 glasses everyday!

5. Go outside: sometimes a distraction works wonders.  Studies have found that taking a walk in the park or any other natural setting “has benefits for mental health, including lifting mood quickly and even improving immune function.”

Next time you’re down, give those a shot!  In the meantime, let us know what other quick mood fixes you use in the comments below!

http://www.kctv5.com/story/15082001/5-tips-to-bulldoze-a-bad-mood

http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/food-and-mood/tips/boost-mood-and-metabolism.aspx?xid=tw_everydayhealth_20110801_mood