5 Absolute Best Ways to Instantly Lift Your Mood!

Ever have one of those days when things just aren’t working? You’re late to work because the freeway was a parking lot, your boss dumped an extra report on you (that’s due tomorrow morning!), your dog threw up in the middle of the living room and you stepped in it (I speak from personal experience here), or your significant other wants some more space in the relationship – but it’s nothing personal.

Sometimes just crawling back into bed and starting over seems like a great idea – but that really doesn’t fix anything. And research shows that about 40% of our happiness is influenced by what we deliberately do to make ourselves happy. Since happiness is empowering and we all love to feel it, try these quick fixes to turn a sucky day around.

1 - LOL (Translation for the older generation – Laugh Out Loud) – You’ve probably heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”, and there’s some real truth in that. Laughter lifts your mood, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and releases endorphins.

You can’t laugh on command you say? Try the following to incorporate some chuckles into your day:

• Watch funny videos on YouTube (my favorites are funny animal videos and wedding bloopers)

• Follow a favorite comedian

• Read a funny book

• Get a pet (my 3 dogs are always cracking me up)

• Hang out with kids – they’re natural comedians

2 - Help someone else. The sad fact is that no matter how bad our situation is, if we look around, we can always find someone else who is worse off than we are. Helping others is good for our soul and it also has the following benefits:

• Helping others improves our health – research shows it reduces stress and depression and increases life satisfaction.

• Altruism starts a chain reaction – so the helping spreads.

• Giving back makes us happier.

• Helping out gives us a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

3 - Go outside. Studies show that people who are exposed to natural light report better moods and sleep. Also, people who get more light exposure during the day, stay more alert and productive. Here are some other surprising benefits of going outdoors.

• Improved short-term memory

• Lower stress levels

• Eliminates fatigue

• Reduces inflammation

• Fights anxiety and depression

4 - Exercise – I know this isn’t what many of you want to hear but stay with me. I’m always telling my clients to work out because it gives a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual boost. Here are some of the benefits:

• Our brains change – endorphins, serotonin and dopamine (all feel good hormones in our bodies) are released.

• Stress is reduced.

• Improves sleep (a good night’s sleep always makes me happy!).

• Boosts your immune system.

5 - Physical contact – give someone a hug or kiss (make sure you know that person well!). Human touch is crucial to our overall health and has the following benefits:

• Releases serotonin.

• Reduces blood pressure.

• Oxytocin is released – this fosters a sense of well-being and happiness.

• Relieves stress.

So the next time you feel down, try one of the above quick, natural, inexpensive fixes. You’ll feel happier, calmer and more relaxed – and will turn your day completely around!