5 Mood Lifters to Help you Feel Happier
2020 has been year like none of us were expecting. At the beginning of the year we were all making goals and focusing on our “2020 vision.” The first year of a new decade had to be a good one, right?!
And then Covid happened.
Soon we all realized those goals we set and visions we created most likely wouldn’t be happening.
Vacations were cancelled.
School was cancelled.
Concerts, social gatherings, church, going out to eat, shopping….ALL cancelled.
We all quickly learned we are not in control and might as well settle into this “new normal.” But this new normal is not how any of us want to live our lives.
2020 has been a year. A year of:
Disappointments.
Cancelled events.
Uncertainty.
It has us feeling all the feels. Fearful. Irritable. Overwhelmed. Just know you are not alone in those feelings you’ve been feeling. Despite going through a global pandemic and facing hardships we can still feel happiness. We just have to CHOOSE to feel it.
Here are 5 ways to boost your mood:
- Start Your Day with Gratitude Each morning, after my workout I sit down and write three things I am grateful for that day. This helps change my mindset and is an instant mood lifter. Try to make them different things every day. They don’t have to be big things, and actually they shouldn’t be. When we can find gratitude in the small things we will be so much more grateful for the big things. It can be something as simple as your comfortable bed, or your new coffee creamer you’re going to try. If mornings are too busy try writing your list at night instead. When you are intentionally looking for things you are grateful for each day you will FEEL more grateful.
- Exercise Move your body. It doesn’t need to be a long intense workout. Do something you enjoy doing. Maybe its going for a walk and listening to a podcast, or going on a bike ride with your kids. When I start my day with a workout I notice a huge difference in my mood and energy for the rest of the day.
- Listen to Music you Love (or an audio book, or a podcast) You know that feeling you get when your favorite song comes on? It’s like a little adrenaline rush. It feels even better to sing along or dance along. Turn it on while you are cooking, or cleaning, or have it quietly playing in your house all day. The kids love to have “song requests” when they are outside swinging. The music makes an ordinary part of our day more fun. When you are focusing on what you are listening to instead of your negative thoughts or worries you will feel so much better. I have a podcast or audio book playing whenever I am in the kitchen. It makes whatever I am doing much more enjoyable.
- Uplug Take a break from social media for a day, or a weekend. It is crazy how often I find myself mindlessly scrolling. Social media can be an inspiring and uplifting outlet, but it can also be the opposite. If you find yourself playing the comparison game or feeling worse after spending time on the gram then you know it’s time for a detox.
- Do something for YOU Take sometime for yourself and do something that makes you feel good! Do not feel guilty for doing something for yourself. When we take time to fill our own cups we have more to pour into others. Paint your nails, do a face mask, read a book. Even if its for ten minutes. I love having an afternoon coffee, doing a face mask, or sitting out on my deck by myself for a few minutes while my youngest is napping. These micro-highs really do make a big difference in my mood.
It can be too easy to focus on the negative and sulk over what has been going on. These are some of the things I find help me feel happier, and hope they work for you too. Cheer up, buttercup. There are better days ahead.
