At this time of year you may tend to see a lull in your mood, as the winter months slowly creep in. Yes, Christmas and other social events may be right around the corner, but this can still be a challenging time for some.
Now, November is a hard month for me, for a number of reasons.
It’s dates that I wish weren’t in the calendar, and memories that bring my grief to the surface, making me question how I’ll make it through the day.
But I do.
And I wouldn’t be able to, if I didn’t make a conscious effort to boost my mood. I recognise the signs which sparks me into action to ensure I don’t start spiralling.
If you need a helping hand when life gets a bit tough, I hope these tips help to give you a little lift.
How I boost my mood…
1. Move my body
Whether it’s a walk or hitting it hard in the gym, moving my body results in the same outcome. Stress levels down, happiness levels instantly increased.
It’s my absolute go to (and why it’s placed at the top of this list!).
2. Brain dump my thoughts
I always say I feel my mind is a scary place to be as I store so much in there, which can negatively impact my mood. By dumping my thoughts down I lessen the pressure in my head, which gives a sense of a weight being lifted resulting in my mood being improved.
Shift that weight in your head and scribble it all down – trust me!
3. Listen to my favourite songs
I’ll only listen to music that makes me feel good and reminds me of happier times, to give me a boost! As I know the outcome will be positive, and will more than likely make me smile.
Oh, and I’ll also dance to them like no one is watching!
4. Fuel my body with the right food
If you eat sh*t food then guess what? That’s exactly how you’re going to feel after. In the moment the indulgence feels good and you tell yourself it’s exactly what you needed, but hours later the buzzy feeling is gone and you may regret the choice you made. Resulting in you potentially feeling even worse than you did in the first place – not helpful!
Because of this, I’m always mindful of fuelling my body with foods that will have a positive impact on me.
5. Get lost in a book
Escaping into another world for 30mins or so helps me forget my stresses, and I get totally lost in the world of the book – pure bliss!
It reminds me that there’s more to life than being a prisoner to my worries; there’s still more to come and you can always flip the narrative. Books have many chapters like your life – some are not so great yes, but some can and will be bloody brilliant!
These are just some of the things I do as a non-negotiable to boost my mood. If I complain that I feel a bit meh, then I will consult this checklist to ensure I have actually tried to improve my mood with the things that I know will give me a lift!
And remember these don’t have to be big things! I would personally say that the secret to a happier life is appreciating the little things in life – so focus on those and take the pressure off yourself.
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