You know the feeling – life can really get you down sometimes, and you get stuck in a rut, feel listless, bored, lethargic, and maybe even a little hopeless. Why do you feel this way? Well, you’re human, and have emotions which are very much influenced by circumstances. Maybe you’ve lost your job, been in a car accident, are emotionally stressed, over-worked, or myriad of other reasons that form part of day-to-day living.
However, there are multiple ways that you can boost your mood, and some of them are super simple and quite effective.
Do something nice for someone else
Being a genuinely nice person is a natural mood booster, and when you extend this goodness, it’s incredible how rewarding it feels. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, help an old lady across the road, give a bottle of water or food to a homeless person on the side of the road, or tell someone at your office how nice they look today. The acts don’t have to be grand – often, it’s the smallest acts of kindness that are the most appreciated. It’s important to not expect anything in return for your generosity, however. If you’re doing something good or kind, that should be enough. If you place an expectation on the results of your actions, and those expectations are not met, you’ll feel bitter and disappointed.
Reflect on the things you’re grateful for
So often we get caught up in the negatives of life – focusing on things we don’t have, things we didn’t say or do, things we didn’t get. Try instead to focus on all of those things that you do have – you’ll be amazed at the list that you create. Good health? Check. Loving family? Check. A good job? Check. Friends? Check. Two eyes? Two hands? Two legs? Check, check, check. The fact that you have the ability to read this article right now is something pretty awesome in itself. The fact that you can walk outside and soak up the sunshine, that you can make yourself a cup of tea when it’s cold, that you can call up a friend if you want to go out for a glass of wine, and that you can take a nap on your comfortable bed when you’re feeling tired. Not everyone has these luxuries.
Let things be
One of the biggest and most insidious contributors to misery is the tendency to overthink everything – from relationships, to conversations, to people’s intentions. As a result, chaos reigns supreme in our heads and we’re weighed down by the heavy mist that forms around our minds, which in turn clouds our perception. We’re plagued by illusions which is what contributes to this business of up and down, happy and unhappy. The following quote by Anthony de Mello (spiritual teacher, writer and public writer) sums it up perfectly:
“You don’t have to add anything in order to be happy; you’ve got to drop something. Life is easy, life is delightful. It’s only hard on your illusions, your ambitions, your greed, your cravings. Do you know where these things come from? From having identified with all kinds of labels.”
Exercise
Exercise does something wonderful to the brain. When you exercise, your heart rate increases, which in turn pushes more oxygen into the brain. Also, exercise serves as a natural anti-depressant (through the release of endorphins), drops the level of stress hormones in your brain, and generally makes you feel better about yourself. Go for a run or join an indoor football league (a great way to meet people, too). There’s something wonderfully thrilling about a little friendly competition. If you’re dead-set against playing any sports, you could always indulge your competitive side by playing online slots at Euro Palace, where you can take part in multi-player tournaments.
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