11 Ways To Boost Your Mood

Feeling the stress of a deadline packed day? Get in a fight with your best friend? In a slump and can't seem to get out? Sometimes it's hard to avoid a bad mood, but there are plenty of easy and quick ways to turn your day around.

Inspire Yourself In the Morning

Just like your body needs a healthy breakfast in the morning, your mind needs inspiration. Give your mind the emotional lift it needs with inspiration, motivation, and education. Read a few pages of a good book, hit the gym, or meditate on positive thoughts to start your day off right.

Focus On What Is Going Right

Grateful people are happy people. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you focus on the positives and blessings in your life. When you feel like everything is going wrong, think about everything that is going right. Maybe you just landed a new job, you are healthy, you had a great week with your significant other, or you can still fit into your favorite pair of skinny jeans. It can be big or small.

Celebrate Your Wins

Most people take time to celebrate what they deem as significant wins in life, like birthdays, anniversaries, or life changing accomplishments. But you should also celebrate small wins, like a salad instead of pizza for lunch, chatting up an old friend, or an easy morning commute. When you celebrate everything you accomplish, big and small, you are less likely to focus on something that didn’t go right.

Eliminate Stress

While this is easier said than done, it does help improve your mood. It is impossible to get rid of all stress but you can cut out some things you didn’t even realize were causing stress. How do you spend your free time? Instead of watching TV, surfing social networking sites, or constantly checking emails try to spend more time outside, with friends and family, or reading a book.

Bad Day Emergency Plan

It’s impossible to avoid a bad day every now and then so prepare for one. Create a bad day emergency plan so a few hiccups don’t ruin your whole day. Have an uplifting friend or family member on speed dial, a favorite movie ready to go, or create a mood boosting playlist that you just can’t help but sing along to.

Do Something For Others Every Day

If your schedule is crazy busy you probably don’t have to volunteer everyday, but doing something, even if it seems super small and insignificant, will make you feel accomplished. Buy an extra latte for a co-worker, donate some clothes that you haven’t worn in years, compliment a random stranger on her cute outfit, or simply say “Have a great day” and smile.

Do Something For You Every Day

Don’t forget about yourself either. You deserve a little something that makes you happy everyday. Whether its hitting your favorite gym class, belting it in the shower, writing in a journal, or taking a walk through your local park you can’t forget about making yourself happy. When you do something you love, it’s hard to stay in a bad mood.

Switch It Up

Doing the same things every day can get a little old and boring. When you’re bored, you’re not happy. Try to change up your schedule a little. Instead of going home after work and flipping on the TV, ask a friend to meet you for happy hour. Instead of eating lunch at your desk, go outside and soak up some rays.

Scented Candles

Fill your office or home with a calming scent to slow down a crazy day. Research has found that people who smell scents like lavender or oranges feel less anxious, more positive, and calmer than people not exposed to the scent. If you are experiences a really stressful moment, light a candle and just breath for a minute.

Go Outside

Feeling tired or down? Open the shades in the morning for a quick blast of happy sunlight. If you’re feeling cooped up in the office, step outside a few times a day and go on a short walk. Studies show that people who are exposed to light throughout the day have fewer sleep problems and generally better moods.

Laugh

When all else fails, laugh. It really is the best medicine. A good, genuine laugh releases chemicals that instantly elevates your mood and reduces stress. Watch a funny clip on youtube or hunt down the office jokester when you’re in a bad mood.