5 Easy Ways to Turn Your Mood Around

Your kid threw up on you as you were walking out the door, you hit every red light on your way to work, your PMSing through the roof, and your boss informs you that your deadline has been moved up to COB — today! Ok, you get the idea. You’re crabby! You want to crawl in a hole, isolating yourself from everyone who may the unwitting victim of your lousy mood. Unfortunately, we can’t stop the world every time we’re  having a bad day. But you can do a few things to make your day a little more bearable and maybe even save you from losing your job because you chewed out your boss.

Here are just a few quick and easy ideas to lift your spirits instantly.

1.) Breathe. Yes, it’s as simple as that. Take deep breaths. If you aren’t relaxed, and you start paying attention to your breathing, you’ll probably realize that you are taking quick shallow breaths. The short and long-term benefits you will gain from proper breathing are innumerable, but for starters, it can reduce tight chest muscles, relieving pain and anxiety, improve blood circulation¹, ease straining on the heart through increased oxygen flow, as well as increase nutrient and oxygen flow to cells throughout the body. Deep breathing also releases endorphins in the body², and by now we all now that endorphins are our bodies natural painkillers, allowing us to feel more relaxed. If you need a little extra guidance on proper breathing, I found some good exercises on Dr. Andrew Weil’s web site.

2.) Stretch. Like breathing, stretching can improve circulation, increasing blood flow to your muscles. Also like breathing, it can relieve stress as it releases tension in the muscles. Of course, stretching also increases flexibility, which can make doing even the most simple tasks, like bending over and tying your show a little easier. And you don’t have to break into a downward dog yoga position to feel better. Sure, an hour of yoga would never hurt, but chances are you only have a few extra minutes. If that’s the case, you can start by just doing a simple stretch like you might do when you first wake up, reaching for the sky and straightening out your spine. Even that will get the oxygen flowing. If you have more time and space, or you want to target specific areas for stretching, check out this quick and easy guide at Health24.com.

3.) Drink. No, I’m not talking about hitting the bar before Happy Hour has officially started. I am talking about H₂0. Although I don’t subscribe to the idea that every person needs to drink 64 ounces of water each day (see the article Water, Water, Everywhere … But How Much Should We Drink?), there are undeniable benefits reaped from drinking the elixir of life. According to the Mayo Clinic, even mild dehydration can zap your energy³. And hydrating your body is another form of nourishment.  Not to mention, just taking a few minutes to sit down and drink a glass of water might give you a much needed break in your day.

4.) Smell. Ok, I don’t mean you should stop wearing deoderant. I am talking about the smelling you do through your nose. Buy a bottle of lotion in your favorite scent, and when you are feeling stressed out or down, lather up. Our sense of smell is powerful, and it has long been known that certain scents elicit certain reactions, ranging from enhanced memory to sexual arousal. But the right scents can also decrease stress and help you feel more relaxed. While different scents will impact each person differently, common scents used for to evoke a more positive state include lavender, lemon, and peppermint. Personally, I like vanilla (who doesn’t feel better after smelling like cookies) and juniper.

5.) Smile. Sure, that may be the last thing you feel like doing right now. But while the jury is still out, some scientists have theorized that the simple act of smiling, even if forced, can have a mood changing effect. Not to mention, happiness is contagious, so if you look happy, you may just spread the joy, and if everyone else around you is happy, it’s going to be pretty tough for you to stay glum. Besides, smiling can never hurt.

So the next time things aren’t going your way, or for whatever reason, you feel like Oscar the Grouch, remember these easy tricks to help you face the world with a more positive outlook. Even taking the time to pay attention to your feelings may be just what you need to move on.

Sources
¹ Breathing.com
² HealthMad
³ Mayo Clinic