Before I start, I just want to say that happiness is just one of many emotions that we experience. Trying to be happy a hundred percent of the time is a myth that may leave us thinking something is wrong when we're anything but happy.
How to instantly boost your mood?
That said, there are activities to boost your mood, especially on days when you're low on energy or just feeling blah. Here are 7 fun ways to boost your mood.
Play With a Pet
It doesn't matter if it's a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a gerbil, or any other kind of pet. It can even be a teacup pig (if you're lucky). So long as it's a fun-loving pet, serotonin and oxytocin will increase after just a few minutes of playtime. Don’t have a pet? Consider volunteering at the local animal shelter to play with an adorable little mood-booster. These are ways to mood-boosting.
Play Some Drums
It's okay if you don’t know how to play. Drumming will leave you feeling energized. It also reduces blood pressure which in turn reduces tension, anxiety, and stress. Oh, and not to mention that holding a beat can have therapeutic benefits. It can put you in an altered state of consciousness, kind of like meditation. So go ahead, unleash your inner Ringo and reap the health benefits of drumming.
Go For a Walk
Get out of the house or office and move those legs. Even if it’s a short walk around the block, by strutting your stuff, you’ll be encouraging the release of hormones and neurochemicals that will boost your mood. Plus, if it’s a sunny day, you’ll get a dose of vitamin D, which is good for your brain, bones, heart, muscles, and immune system.
More things to boost your mood
Eat Dark Chocolate
There are a bunch of superfoods that can boost your mood. But let's focus on chocolate. More specifically, dark chocolate consumed in moderation (or not). Dark chocolate is one of the world's best sources of antioxidants and may improve brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain. So your guilty pleasure can now be part of a balanced diet. Hooray!
Look at Old Photos
Dust off those old photo albums (or swipe through the ol' photo gallery on your phone) and pour yourself a nice glass of something. Walking down memory lane can remind you of all the loving people in your life and the crazy adventures you’ve been through together. Your mood is sure to lift as you look through what is essentially a curated gallery of your happy memories. These are ways to improve mood and energy.
Pay It Forward
How to boost mood? There must have been a time in your life when someone unexpectedly showed you kindness or was unusually generous towards you. So make it your personal challenge today to pay it forward. By giving back, you’ll feel a sensation known as ‘helper’s high,’ which is produced when your brain releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals of the brain.
Make a Vidday
Yes, of course, we’ll suggest this. But it’s true. Creating a VidDay with a friend or loved one is exciting. Watching their reaction is the best part. It'll leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Kind of like the helper's high mentioned above. When loved ones come together in a beautiful surprise video, how can you not just burst out in laughter in tears? Maybe keep a box of tissues nearby. You know, in case there’s “something in your eye.” These are ways to boost mood and energy.