Feeling down and out, but you’re not sure how to get in a good mood? Boost your mood naturally with these simple tips.
Even the happiest people in the world have not so happy moments. Stresses from work or home life, bills, the economy, all of these things can wear a person down and cause a bad mood to strike. But if you find yourself struggling with mood swings more often than usual, here are five easy tricks you can try to kick the blues…and to enhance a naturally better you.
Wake Up Your Endorphins
If you want to get in a better mood, studies show that a mere 30 minutes of activity a day can get your endorphins hopping and keep your mood elevated for hours afterward. But if you need just an extra dose to get you going at work or wherever you might be, make a quick dash to the bathroom for a micro-mini workout.
Step up the pace and run in place for 20 seconds. Then do 15 jumping jacks. End with a few stretching exercises. Not only will you feel better, but with the light flush in your cheeks from your break time quickie, you’ll look better, too.
Say NO to Diet Stuff!
It’s becoming more and more known that some diet products may be contributing to mood swings. There is an ingredient in most diet drinks and other artificially sweetened foods that has proven to be bad all the way around. It is called aspartame. It’s been said that aspartame causes memory loss, that it increases appetite for carbohydrates, and that it’s dangerous for diabetes patients due to its keeping blood sugar levels out of control.
And, now, according to Woman’s World, it’s also linked with decreasing "the efficiency of dopamine and other mood-lifting brain chemicals."
Do a search for aspartame warnings, and you’re certain to get the idea. It isn’t a joke or something to take lightly. It is a drug that is well documented to change the brain’s chemistry, which can lead to any number of serious problems, including bad moods.
(A false aspartame rumor, however, is that it is responsible for some cancers, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis.)
Lead with Your Nose
In a recent issue of Woman’s World, one trick they list to brighten your mood is your own sense of smell. It has long been discovered that smells and emotions are connected. "In fact," WW writes, "just a few whiffs of nostalgic scents can stir up happy memories that alter brain waves for the better."
To test the theory, they suggest a sniff of Play-Doh, baking bread, or your mom’s perfume.
Eat More Bread? Seriously?
Speaking of bread, another tip from Woman’s World is to increase your folic acid intake. Folic acid is a B vitamin the FDA requires to be included in all enriched breads. The research is still fairly new, but it’s looking more and more like folic acid could be the natural answer for those suffering from depression, and certainly for those with minor mood swings.
"Foods with folic acid in them include leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas and nuts," states the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. "Enriched breads, cereals and other grain products also contain folic acid. If you don’t get enough folic acid from the foods you eat, you can also take it as a dietary supplement."
When All Else Fails…Fake It!
You might feel silly doing it, but sometime when you’re feeling bummed and want to get in a better mood, try laughing spontaneously. It may start out as a fake laugh, but it won’t stay that way for long. Laughter is contagious, too. It’s very hard to hold back your own laughter when watching someone else so obviously enjoying themselves.
WW adds, "Just pretending to be upbeat – say, by telling a joke – can send levels of ‘happiness’ hormones surging in 40% of people, studies show."
So, the next time you feel the blues creeping in, try these simple tips to naturally enhance your mood. You never know. They might be just what you need for a happier you.
As always, check with your doctor first before trying anything new.