Your mood plays a major role in your overall health. Learn some fascinating techniques for mood improvement that can also lead to a healthier lifestyle.
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78% of American adults say the coronavirus pandemic has been a major source of stress and 67% say their stress levels have increased during this time. Even without a disease ravaging the world, many of us didn’t have optimal mental health.
But subpar moods can affect your body’s health! So when you improve your mood, not only do you reap mental benefits, but also physical ones.
What do you need to do though? Are there things you can implement now to live a healthier life?
Yes, there are! Keep reading for 7 tips for mood improvement and how they can benefit your overall health.
1. Get More Exercise
Most Americans don’t get enough exercise, so you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone here. If you’ve been a couch potato, it’s a good idea to pick up some exercise, even if it’s just walking around the block a few times to start off with.
When you’re exercising, this releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. So if you’re feeling down, this can instantly perk you up!
Not to mention, exercise can help you strengthen and streamline your body. This can make you feel more confident and content. When you love your body and are proud of it, this can definitely improve your moods.
2. Listen to Music
Many people have strong feelings about music since it can impact our moods significantly. That’s why it’s no surprise why people feel either strongly positive or negative about certain bands.
One way to improve your mood is to listen to music that makes you happy. You’ll have no choice but to feel uplifted when you hear your favorite tunes. All your worries and stress will melt away and a smile will creep up on your face as you sing along to these upbeat songs.
On the other hand, you can listen to sad music as well. If you feel like you need a good cry but need some help, some sad songs can release the floodgates. This can provide a much-needed emotional release, which can make you feel less agitated and more stable.
3. Give or Get Hugs
Physical touch is important for human beings. It’s a way to build bonds and also feel secure.
On a physiological level, when you give or get hugs, it stimulates your skin’s pressure receptors. This boosts oxytocin levels, which is the “love” hormone. It can also lower stress hormones (cortisol) and make you feel more at peace.
If you don’t have humans to touch, then you’ll be pleased to know that petting your dog or cat can have similar effects. More specifically, petting them will lower your cortisol levels. You can also hug Fido if they’ll sit still for long enough!
4. Take Supplements
Many Americans are deficient in some nutrient or another, so it’s always helpful to take supplements. When your body doesn’t have to work as hard to make up for these deficiencies, your moods will improve, especially since you won’t be as tired or cranky.
On top of the supplements to make up for the lack of nutrients, you can also take some other ones to get added advantages. For example, deer antler velvet benefits include regulating moods and acting as an antidepressant, in addition to stimulating the immune system and more.
You might have to do some research to find out what supplements are optimal for mood-boosting. You’ll also want to check with your doctor to make sure nothing interacts with current medications you’re on.
5. Declutter
You know what they say: a cluttered space is a cluttered mind. If you have things strewn all over the place, then it’s probably not doing too much for your mood.
Not only is it difficult to find your belongings, but also, just looking at the clutter can cause cortisol spikes!
So take some time to clean your house and cut down on clutter. Having an immaculate house that’s clean and free of junk can elevate your moods. Not only will you eliminate cortisol spikes, but you can also feel proud of the home you live in.
6. Practice Gratitude
If we’re not careful, we can end up in a downward spiral if we only focus on the negatives of life. For example, you might be agitated by the neighbor’s barking dog, a lawnmower going off in the distance, or the fact that you’ve got a low balance in your bank account.
If you find yourself with lots of negative thoughts, then your mood is surely sour. A great way to turn this around is to practice gratitude.
Take a few minutes out of your day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. It can be things like your best friend’s reliability, your dog’s cuteness, or the fact that you’ve got a roof over your head.
When you fill your mind with positive thoughts, you’ll quickly see your moods improving.
7. Take a Break from Social Media
Nowadays, we’re engrossed with social media, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Everyone puts their best foot forward on these platforms, which makes it seem like they have perfect lives. But in reality, they’re just as human as you are!
But if you find yourself getting jealous or depressed because of your newsfeed, it can be a good idea to take a break. This allows you to focus on yourself and self-improvement rather than gaze longingly at someone else’s life.
Get on the Road to Mood Improvement
If you’ve been feeling down lately, then mood improvement can drastically improve your quality of life. It can be tough to turn things around at first, but once you make that first step, the rest will be a lot easier.
Not only can many of our tips improve your mood, but they can also raise your overall health. It’ll be a win-win situation, so get started today to be the best you!
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