Three Simple Ways To Boost Your Mood
If you’re like me (or really just human), you get down sometimes. Now whether you’re clinically depressed or just having a rough day, it doesn’t matter, you can use a mood booster.
For most of my life, I would just accept my sad times saying there was nothing I could do about it and that that’s just the way I was; but over the past few years, I decided I just can’t settle for that and have started testing different things to hack my mood in the upward direction.
Here’s a few mood-boosting tips that have been working for me that I’ve built into my daily commute as I’m walking to work in New York City.
Step 1: Look Up
This is my most recent find and the one that inspired me to write this post. When I’m down, I tend to look at the ground as I walk, making sure to avoid any eye contact or other universal connection. So lately, I’ve just started looking up as I walk around. I focus on the blue sky, the beautiful buildings, the trees and my other surroundings. It’s so simple, but it works every time in tricking my brain to think I’m in a better mood – similar to how smiling makes you feel happier even when you fake it.
Step 2: Breathe Deep
Looking up alone is a win, but to multiply it’s effect just begin to take deep, slow breathes. All those yogis aren’t wrong, deep breathing calms you down.
Step 3: Say Thanks
To further multiple the boost, just start saying thanks for things in your life or if you’re too deep in the fog for that, start wishing good things for your friends and loved ones. Gratitude always works.
That’s It.
This routine has been helping me the past few weeks and I hope it helps you too. If not, read these mood-boosting tips and tricks.
BONUS: Grateful & Optimistic Playlists
I’ve also curated playlists based on how they make me feel and use them as a sort of prescription supplement. When I’m down, I listen to my Grateful and Optimistic playlists and they work wonders.
Who am I?
My name is Mike Vosters, I’m the founder of the Mental Health League, a charitable apparel brand raising money and awareness for mental health. We sell sportswear for mental health champions and donate 50% of net profit to the Crisis Text Line. I’m also a DJ in NYC.
