Easy Tricks You Can Do Right Now
If you’re ever feeling sad or are going through a tough time, there are numerous psychological tricks you can use to instantly boost your mood and feel better. Most of these tricks don’t require any prep and can be done in only a few minutes. So go ahead, feel better!
1. Smile
It turns out physically smiling, even if you need to force yourself to do it, is a great way to trick your brain into releasing dopamine. These happy chemicals will have you feeling better, even if all you wanna do is frown.
2. Deep Breaths
When you’re feeling angry about a situation or are struggling to wrap your head around a complex problem, focus on deep breaths instead. Deep breathing is a way to practice mindfulness, and it can help you reduce stress and attune with the moment.
3. Listen to Music
There’s an old saying, “music soothes the savage soul,” and it’s apparently true. Upbeat music in particular is more than capable of bolstering your mood and making you feel better. So the next time you’re going through a hard time, put on some happier tunes to deflect.
4. Express Gratitude
It can be difficult sometimes to express gratitude for the good things in our life, especially when things are going wrong. But next time you’re in a crisis, focus on all the positives instead. Remember that you’re healthy, have shelter, or have loved ones you can count on.
5. Family
It’s no surprise that spending time with family is a great way to bolster your mood and feel a bit better. Reach out to family members you trust, and take solace in the emotional support they provide.
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6. Be Kind
Unsurprisingly, being kind to others is a great way to feel better about our own plights. Helping others creates what is essentially a positive feedback loop, and you’ll find yourself absorbing the happy emotions of those you help.
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7. Reflect
Take some time to reflect on the situation, as this is a great way to gain perspective. Additionally, reflecting on your issues might help you find moments for gratitude, which will only bolster the happy feelings.
8. Friends
Just like reaching out to family can be helpful, so can reaching out to friends. Having this sense of connection and speaking to someone you trust is a great way to feel secure and fortified, even when things are going wrong.
9. Exercise
Many people turn to exercising as a distraction when they’re upset. You can take a brisk walk to clear your head, or hit the gym after a breakup. Either way, exercise is known to release endorphins that boost your mood.
10. Meditate
Meditating doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Instead, next time you’re feeling stressed, sit down in a quiet spot and simply focus on your breathing for a bit. This is a great way to stay present and take control over your emotions.
11. Be Outside
There is a Japanese practice known as Forest Bathing, which essentially means being outside and basking in nature. It turns out just being around the great outdoors is known to calm people and restore their mood.
12. Have Compassion
It’s not only important to have compassion for others, but also critical to have compassion for yourself. Don’t be so harsh when things go wrong, and instead treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would when dealing with friends.
13. Eat Your Feelings
Depending on what you need, food is a great way to bolster mood. You can indulge in a favorite dish, or prioritize healthy eats to feel even better about yourself and your progress. Either way, for many people, food is happiness.
14. Prioritize Sleep
It may seem counterintuitive to sleep when you’re feeling bad or going through a situation, but adequate sleep is directly linked to mental well-being. Depending on your age, you can need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep.
15. Get a Pet
This may feel a bit drastic if you’ve never had a pet, but animals are known to calm people down and provide emotional support. Anything from a cat to a dog will do, so choose whichever suits your home.
16. Reward Yourself
It may feel silly to reward yourself when things are going bad, but that’s the perfect time for a treat. Instead of focusing on the negatives, go get a haircut, buy something fun, or order yummy takeout. Of course, if you want to save money, give yourself an hour of free time instead, or reward yourself with a favorite movie.
17. Clear the Clutter
A cluttered house leads to a cluttered mind, so if you’ve been feeling stressed lately, take some time to clean up the home around you. Play some music while you go about the chore to make it feel even more therapeutic and relaxing.
18. Write it Down
One great exercise to feel better is to write down things you like about yourself. This may feel like a very narcissistic list, but everyone should love themselves and be comfortable in the body they have. So go ahead and write a full pros list.
19. Donate
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, take a moment to sit down and donate to a charity you care about. This way you’re doing a good deed, which is proven to boost mood and make people feel better about themselves.
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20. Hug Someone
It takes about thirty seconds for the happiness chemical to release when you hug someone. So go find a person you love and trust, and give them a long, tight hug until you feel the tension release.
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