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If you have seasonal depression like the rest of us, then you may have to pick yourself up and get to work at times when it feels like everything is just too much.
That’s why I’ve developed this handy-dandy little guide for boosting your mood when you’re feeling stuck, in a rut, or just having one of those days.
You can skip the long learning curve, these are easy ways to boost your mood. Nothing too complicated here!
So let’s get started…
1. Get Outside: Thankfully there isn’t a right or wrong way to do this one!
Getting outdoors can improve your health and well-being. Simply put, being outside makes us happy. Anxiety, depression and anger are notably decreased after spending time outdoors. Other benefits of getting outside include: improved focus, lowered blood pressure, and reduced stress.
For you this could look like:
Taking a walk, getting some work done on your patio (maybe with a warm drink as it starts getting cooler), or doing a planned activity. Hello pumpkin patch or outdoor brewery?
2. Move Your Body: This can be something organized or something simple.
Exercise doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. What exercise does have is great benefits for your overall well being. Those can look like: better sleep, increased happiness, more self confidence, increased cognitive function, and more energy.
No one is saying to go out and get a trainer or join a new gym and no one wants you to burn out trying to do too much. Instead, think of fun or simple ways to incorporate movement into your day.
This can look like: taking a walk, doing some jumping jacks when you feel that afternoon wall coming, or if you like, something more structured like a workout class or yoga practice via youtube.
3. Listen to Positive Music: Are you secretly jamming to ABBA already? 😉
It might be a bit time consuming to create your own upbeat playlist, so you can do things the easy way and head over to my High Vibes Spotify playlist here, and vibe out with my favorite jams full of positive affirmations.
This playlist is perfect for getting ready in the morning to start your day on a fun and empowered note! No joke, I listen to it on repeat ALL DAY EVERY DAY.
Did you know that listening to positive affirmations can literally rewire your brain?!
Neurological researchers have found that listening to music and affirmations releases dopamine (associated with pleasure and “reward” centers), serotonin (key hormone for stabilizing mood, well-being, and happiness), and oxytocin (a chemical that enhances your ability to connect with others).
Without getting into the science of vibrational frequencies...that's powerful stuff!
4. Write Down How You Want to Feel: Journaling may seem scary, that’s why we’re starting small.
This does require some reflection but letting things out makes room for higher levels of thinking and often prompts us to take action. When you tell the universe you want to feel _____ you’re allowing yourself the opportunity to feel it.
Trust me, try it!
For you this could look like:
Starting a daily gratitude list, writing in third person, envisioning your highest self, setting a daily goal or intention, or reflecting on how far you've come.
5. Talk to someone: Working from home can be lonely which can cause us to sink deeper into our negative thoughts.
Have you ever considered joining an online community? And I don't mean one of those massive Facebook groups where you're just another number.
The Creative Solution is a virtual membership with daily opportunities to genuinely connect with other high-functioning women! We meet for co-working where we chat about how our day is going, what we're celebrating, or what we're working on before getting focused.
This is a simple and effective way to add some community into your work day! It’s almost like having co-workers but no one's lunch is stinking up the break-room fridge.
Join us each weekday from 1-2:15 PM and see how quickly your work week improves!
6. Drink some water: Drinking more water will satisfy your thirst AND support your mental health.
Did you know - being dehydrated throws off the delicate dopamine and serotonin balances in the brain?? These are the natural chemicals that can increase/affect depression and anxiety.
One of the fastest and easiest ways to improve your mood is by drinking a glass (or two!) of water.
Keep it simple and keep it handy - bring a big water bottle with you to sip frequently throughout the day.
7. Have a good laugh: there's a real reason they say that laughter is the best medicine.
Laughter decreases stress hormones by triggering the release of endorphins. These are the body's natural feel-good chemicals, which promote an overall sense of well-being and temporary pain relief.
Not only that, laughing increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Watch some TikToks, a YouTube video, or call a friend who always makes you laugh.
Okay it’s me, I’m the friend 🙋🏻♀️
As you can see, there are several ways to quickly boost your mood – you just need to find which of the above works for you.
...But before you start taking action, let me share 2 thoughts with you:
• None of these are a replacement for therapy or counseling if you feel like the weight is too heavy to lift off yourself.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to if you need support.
I hope you find that one or more of these works for you!
It's a constant battle finding balance while doing all the things, which can take a major toll on your mental.
This is exactly why I curated a community of creative and drive women within TCS - to help you befriend your inner critic, set healthy boundaries, and implement systems to help you work smarter and generate more time to focus on the things you love in your life or business!
So the next thing you need to do is take action or save this post for a rainy day.
The sooner you implement these tips, the sooner you'll see the magic of living in consistent high vibes!