Mood Boosters For The Daily Grind

During the course of one day, we often have everything from great news to terrible news to everyone else’s news. The exciting part though, is that it is our choice to react positively or negatively to these. This includes what your actions result in and therefore affects our mood.

For many people, the reaction to difficult news, or simply a trying day, is to binge eat unhealthy foods. Fortunately there are ways to train your brain to react differently. Today though, we’re going to help you with shorter-term answers to help boost your mood – whether you’re having a good OR difficult day.

Using Food

• Well-rounded diet. Utilize foods instead of taking nothing but vitamins by eating things like fermented foods, halibut, kale and spinach, or sweet potatoes. You’ll find cold-fighting vitamins in these foods during the winter months when they’re in season.
  • Spring allergies? Try nuts or berries to help your immune system fight them.
  • Pick-me-up. Add some whole grain carbs or spice to your meal for an endorphin-boosting result.
• Eat dark chocolate! Sorry, but this doesn’t mean binge an entire bar. Just a small amount (one to two squares) will do the trick. Also, the more pure and less additives the better.
• Control your portions. Allowing yourself to overeat regularly will end up hurting your mood long-term. Whether you decide to less than healthy foods or not, keep control of the amount by using tools like the Portion Fork or containers that size your food and you’ll feel less guilty, angry, and/or stressed. Making healthy choices turns your attitude into a surprisingly self-made machine of productivity.

Using Movement

• Dance! Feeling silly or not, put some music on and dance it out. Or if you just need to listen to the music, that can also help.
• Take a walk. A short walk around your office building or around the block can help shake off the stress and clear your head on a stressful day.
• Even forcing a smile in a “fake it ‘til you make it” way can help your brain be tricked into feeling better so you can focus on the task at hand.

Using Rest

• Read a book. you love or a new one with adventure. Or if you prefer to focus on learning, read an education or biographical book. Keeping your mind preoccupied but in use will help engage yourself better when you need to focus.
• Meditate. This can work for those open to sitting in a quiet room/space and concentrating on your breathing. There are many different types of meditation and ways of doing this but if this sounds too intimidating, just breathe! Take 5-10 deep breaths focusing on the air going into your lungs and nothing else.
• Sleep. Maybe you have time for a nap, but getting a good night’s sleep will help you battle the tough days.

Whichever route you decide to go to get your mood back to your old self again, make sure it’s being good to yourself – this includes forgiving yourself for any “less than healthy” choices you make or have made! You can also try this daily calendar of healthy options and suggestions by Health.com to give you even more ideas. Cheers to your health!