Feeling broken happens to us all. After all, no person can be happy all the time, and life is made up of all kinds of emotions. Sadness, feeling down and defeated – just some of the many emotions that we go through as human beings. Sometimes, it can seem like those feelings are never going to leave us. Fortunately, this is rarely the case and your true self can shine through.
“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” – Hans Selye
Even so, we all need a little help when it comes to picking ourselves up from feeling dejected. When life gets us down, figuring out a way to get back up can seem a little hopeless. Luckily, there’s so many ways to improve your mood and make a positive change in your emotions when life gets the better of you.
Here Are 8 Positive Things You Can Do For Your Self
1. Get outside and improve your mood
This is an easy way to improve your mood. Fresh air and sunshine can help lift your mood within minutes. The very act of just going outside can sometimes improve our entire point of view. After all, sitting indoors contemplating our sadness can just lead around to more sadness.
Author Florence Williams said that when a person spends some time outdoors, “blood pressure drops, their heart rate variability becomes more resilient when faced with stress, cortisol levels drop. The subjects report an increase in… mood, and vitality, and creativity. And that’s just after 20 minutes!”
If you find yourself stuck on the couch, try a change of scenery and go for a walk around the neighborhood.
2. Talk to someone to help feel better
A support system is the best way to make sure that you always have someone nearby who can help you talk out your troubles. Whether this person is a friend, a family member, your partner or even a therapist, talking to someone who you feel close to can help improve your mood drastically.
3. Watch a funny movie
Nothing makes us feel better than just plain old laughter. If you’re in a sour mood, or feel a heavy sadness, watching your favorite comedy can easily boost your mood. You can do it alone or with a friend. Sometimes, hearing someone else laugh can be just what it takes to get our laugh muscles working again when it feels impossible to even smile.
4. Listen to upbeat music
When we’re sad, it can be so tempting to listen to sad, hopeless songs and cry about it. While this is often good for releasing emotions, it’s not so good for uplifting your mood.
“If you’re looking for a boost of energy or a pick me up, music may be just what you need. When we listen to upbeat, rhythmic music it can arouse and inspire us to be more productive and enthusiastic. Music can be revitalizing and get us to take action, keep us alert, and maintain a cheerful attitude,” says licensed clinical psychotherapist Joe Wilner.
So, after you’ve had your wallowing cry, try putting on some upbeat, dance or party music. The beat will get your blood pumping, along with your mood.
5. Take a nap
Our moods are often regulated by something as simple as waking up during the wrong cycle of sleep. If you find that you’re just plain miserable, it might do you some good to settle in for a nap. Getting some more sleep might be just what you need to chase away your bad mood. While it may feel like a childish thing to do, even adults need the right amount of sleep to function properly!
6. Hang out with friends
Whether you all go to a movie, out to eat, or just hang around together, being surrounded by the people who love you is an easy way to remind yourself of all the good in the world. Your friends will probably know just the way to make you feel better, as well as boosting your need for human contact and stabilizing your mood.
7. Clean your habitat
Applied environmental psychologist Sally Augustin says, “We like the places that we “own” (whether they hold literal or symbolic meanings for us) to send out messages about us that we value. When they don’t, our emotional health suffers… The act of cleaning itself can also elevate your spirits.”
Depression and sadness often comes with a lack of motivation to do… well, anything! This can mean that cleaning is often pushed aside. Cleaning your space can feel like a chore, but you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel after it’s all done. Once the space around you is clean, you’ll find that your mood is improved even by a little. A clean house is a happy house, after all.
8. Do something nice
The best way to get a boost in your mood is to make someone else happy. While it can feel difficult to muster up the niceness to do something for someone else when you’re feeling low, it’s actually one of the best mood boosters there is. Brightening someone’s day is bound to make you feel even better about yourself than before.
Generating positivity isn’t always the easier thing in the world, but there are definitely ways to make yourself feel better when you’re feeling low. Whether it’s getting outside, connecting with your loved ones, or making someone else’s day a little better, generating positivity is a good habit to have and one that’ll make all of your sad days a little bit better.
(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
References:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/spark/354-social-media-social-ills-1.4085273/get-outside-and-improve-your-health-immediately-1.4085298
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/positive-psychology/2011/06/how-music-can-improve-your-mood/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sally-augustin/spring-cleaning-to-do_b_1357892.html
The post 8 Self Care Tips For When You Feel Broken appeared first on Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude.
