Are you feeling down and in the dumps? Perhaps you had a bad day at work or your relationship isn’t going the way you’d like. Maybe you are tired of hearing about all that is wrong with the world. While we cannot change world events, we can work on changing our mindset, by engaging in activities that will improve your mood. This holds true if you are just having a bad day or struggle with depression.

There are many tools you can use to improve your mood. Some of these ideas you will like, some you won’t. That is OK. Everyone is different. There are probably things you already do to help you when life isn’t going your way.

How to improve your mood

Go on a weird walk

I read about this in the paper and thought it was a great idea. It is very simple. Go on a walk and keep walking until you find something weird. Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to improve your mood.

As you walk, you will find something weird or different-even if you do the same walk all the time. Perhaps its something growing-a tree, flower or grass. When we pay attention, there are all kinds of weird things in nature.

Where I walk is a really weird tree. It is all beat up and doesn’t look like it should be able to survive. Yet it keeps throwing out new branches. It’s weird and interesting.

Spend time with people who lift you up

Who is someone in your life that is always cheerful? Maybe it’s someone who makes you laugh. Is there a friend or family member that always has your back? Most of us have someone we can call or visit when we are feeling down. It could even be a mentor.

In addition, it makes people feel good to help out a friend in need.

Call someone who you know needs you

On the flip side you are probably the person someone else looks up to. What if you were to call them? Knowing that you made their day or made them feel better may lift your mood. Even though you may be having a bad day, you can make a big difference in someone else’s.

Volunteer to improve your mood

In the same vein as calling someone who needs you, helping others can get us out of our own heads. It can help us put our own problems into perspective. Maybe helping someone else out will give you more energy to problem solve your own struggles. Perhaps you will see things in a different light.

Random acts of kindness

Why not see how many random kind things you can do for people? You might wonder how you will do that. Here are a few ideas: hold the door open for someone, call a friend or family member and let them know how much they mean to you, let a stranger cut in traffic, or let the person in line at the grocery store with 2 items cut in front of you. There are all kinds of things we can do to be kind to others.

Practice mindfulness to improve your mood

Being still and mindful of this moment in time and what is occurring can help change your mindset and improve your mood. No two moments in the day are exactly the same. When you do this, pull in your 5 senses. What do you see? Notice your surroundings. Be quiet and aware of the sounds that are going on around you. Feel the sensations in your body. Do you smell or taste anything?

Many people find mindfulness to be calming. Again, everyone is different. There is all kinds of information on mindfulness and exercises on line.

Gratitude

This is a known antidote to depression. You can’t be grateful and depressed at the same time. What are you grateful for? Write down 3 things that you can think of. Remember, these do not have to be anything major. You can be grateful that you have heat, A/C and food on your table. Maybe you are grateful for your health. We all know how it feels to be sick. So why not be grateful if you aren’t. Perhaps you are grateful for your friends, family or pet. Most of us have someone we love or loves us.

Once you have thought of a few things, ponder each one. Sit with that feeling of gratitude. Where do you feel it in your body? Is there a warming sensation that goes along with it? I personally feel warmth going across my chest when I practice gratitude.

Hopefully one of these things will resonate with you and help improve your mood. If you are feeling depressed and need a little more help, give me a call at 713-304-6554 and we can get you set up for a session.

Take care,

Debbie Grammas