There are a lot of strategies a person can use to change their mood and outlook over the long term. However, not much attention is given to how a person can change their mood instantly. Your attitude in the moment can have a big impact on your day and life at large. Below are the ways/strategies to improve your mood instantly when slipping into a negative or self-defeating mood.
Smile
Studies have shown that putting on a smile can lead to an almost immediate flood of endorphins in your brain. Endorphins are chemical signals in the brain that help reduce stress and improve sense of well-being. Endorphins released by smiling serve to improve your overall happiness and reduce stress by triggering the stress reducing hormone cortisol. Simply put, endorphins are feel good neurotransmitters and smiling can give you an extra boost of them when you need them the most.
Be Grateful
If you find yourself slipping into a negative mood, spend the next minute going on a gratitude spree. Identify everything that exists in your life that you have reasons to be thankful for and spend a moment reflecting on each thing that comes to mind. Be thankful for the existence of those things and be thankful for your own existence. It is even more powerful if you express each thing you are grateful for out loud. The truth is, everyone has countless reasons to be thankful and spending few moments focusing on those reasons can do a world of good for your mood.
Meditate
Meditation is an important way to improve your mood instantly. Research has shown that as little as 3 minutes of meditation can begin to alter your state of mind. If you are feeling low or stressed, just take a few minutes to meditate or do a few breathing exercises.
Positive Affirmations
The power of a few minutes of appealing positive affirmations is something that should be used. Positive affirmation are a proven technique to improve your mood, reduce stress and boost your confidence. It can be used to convince yourself that the positive things you tell yourself really are true. Choose affirmations that will uplift and inspire you and then spend a minute repeating them to yourself.
Listen to Uplifting Music
Listening to music is another way to improve your mood instantly. Music affects your mind, emotions and soul in a number of ways. As per a study conducted, participants who listened to upbeat music even for a brief period of time reported improved mood and increased happiness. Sad and slow songs will not have the desired result. Create a personal playlist of upbeat songs for yourself that you can always access when you need it.
Go Outside
The next tip to improve your mood instantly is to simply go outside. Leave your office or home and get out in the nature, walk around and soak a little sun. There is a reason that depression rates soar in the wintertime, when the sunshine is less frequent. In fact, some studies have shown that people who get more sunlight exposure during the day actually sleep better at night. They are also more alert and productive, and are less likely to suffer from conditions like depression. Therefore, if the weather and your location permit, step outside, take a few breaths of fresh air and soak up a little sunlight.
Give Somebody a hug
Physical contact is one of the all-time best mood improvers. Like smiling, giving someone a hug releases a flood of feel good hormones and transmitters in your brain that are great for reducing stress. These include cortisol and oxytocin, both of which are powerful mood improvers.