When you feel down, it can be difficult to lift yourself out of the funk.
You don’t have to stay in a negative mood forever. There are ways to improve your mood and find more happiness.
While your happiness can often be influenced by long-term factors such as your career, relationships and health, you can also do some simple things to make yourself feel happier right now.
Get up and move
Get up and move if you find yourself slouching on the couch.
Exercise is an excellent way to improve your mood. It doesn’t need to be strenuous. Move around, stretch out your muscles or go for a stroll.
If you keep doing nothing, your mood is unlikely to improve.
Connect with Happy People
Happiness or unhappiness can be contagious. It’s easy to feel down when you are surrounded by negative people.
Being around people who are happy and positive can also be a good way to lift your mood.
If you are feeling down, reach out to the people who make you happy. Spend some time with them and enjoy their positive energy. Have a humorous conversation, share a meal or simply spend time in their presence.
Be Kind to Someone Else
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It doesn’t have to be expensive or big. Even a small kindness can make someone’s day brighter and you feel better.
Do a simple favor for your neighbor or a stranger. You’re likely to smile if you make someone else happy.
Concentrate and Meditate
It can be difficult to relax when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. You may find yourself in a cycle of anxious thoughts which only makes you feel worse.
If you find a way of clearing your mind and focusing on the moment, those stress feelings will start to fade.
Bring your attention to the breath. This is a simple way to escape from negative thought patterns. Spend a few moments observing your breath. Feel the air enter and leave your body. This simple mindfulness technique, with practice, can help you find inner calm and peace in the chaos.
A creative flow is another option. Focus on hobbies like painting, music or writing. When you are focused on something creative and fun, those stressful thoughts will disappear.
Go Out Into Nature
You might have been spending too much indoor time if you’ve not felt your best in recent times. Reconnecting to nature can make you happier.
Find a park or hiking trail in your area, or another outdoor location where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. Explore the outdoors, spend some time in sunlight, and breathe in fresh air.
You may find that spending time in nature can make you feel better. You can watch a sunset or have a backyard picnic, or observe the birds, squirrels and other animals in your neighborhood.
Nature time has been associated with reduced stress, better physical and emotional well-being, and greater happiness. You might notice a difference if there is a way you can sneak in some extra time outdoors.
