Life can throw curve balls sometimes. Keeping a full perspective and having a good set of go-to self-care rituals will help you stay grounded even when things don’t go your way. So, if you feel a little blue or need a boost, take these 7 steps towards a mood makeover to get tangible results!
1. Take a moment to explore your thoughts and feelings
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on how thought processes and past experiences affect our emotions. When you become aware of your thoughts, you gain a deeper understanding of your mood. You may also notice triggers that encourage you to feel the way you do. By acknowledging your emotions, understanding the thought process behind them, then putting in place appropriate coping mechanisms, you begin your journey down a path to emotional healing.
2. Practice acceptance and release
Overthinking often arises when we face difficult situations, a brain process involving constantly analyzing and stressing over life. Your thoughts can race in all kinds of negative directions. Before you know it, your mood has taken a 360-degree turn and you’re left feeling angry or anxious.
Take a moment to practice acceptance of the present. Do this through breathing, a walk outside, or just by sitting down on your own. Keep in mind, nothing may have actually happened yet. Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, take a breath, and release any negativity that no longer serves you.
3. Tap into your inner soul through meditation
Meditation comes in a variety of forms, each with remarkable health benefits. When it comes to elevating your mood, practicing chakra meditation, for example, allows you to dive deep into the energy centers of the body and remove any blockages that affect your mood.
So what are the chakras? These seven energetic centers link to your nervous system along the spine, according to ancient Hindu traditions. If any blockages arise, this will influence your mood negatively. Balancing your chakras can take you one step closer to achieving an ultimate mood makeover. Let your spirit guide you to a feel-good vibration.
4. Express yourself through the power of journaling
Journaling, an activity discussed on the University of Rochester Medical Center’s website, serves as an effective tool for managing your mental health and improving mood. Like meditation, journaling helps you express yourself with an added element of release. Moving thoughts out of your mind and onto paper create room in the mind for clarity and make it easier to identify behavior patterns. When you understand why you feel the way you do, it makes it easier to manage your mood.
5. Spend some time with Mother Nature
Research has proven the health benefits of 'green exercise' with results exhibiting improved self-esteem and a boost in an individual's mood. Step outside into Mother Nature and take part in some outdoor physical exercise like walking, running, swimming—whatever you prefer! By combining movement with a connectedness to the earth, you can benefit from fresh air, sunlight, and beautiful natural surroundings.
6. Surround yourself with uplifting individuals
We’re social animals. Socializing reduces stress and elevates your mood when you spend time with others who share a common interest with you. Invest in your mental well-being by surrounding yourself with uplifting, positive, and inspiring individuals. Your tribe is your vibe, so consciously choose to interact with those who positively influence your mood.
7. Integrate gratitude into your daily life
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette, author.
Studies show that gratitude boosts your mood and allows you to harness a positive mindset through feeling thankful. Incorporate gratitude into your daily routine to witness for yourself its life-changing benefits. When you feel grateful for all that you have, you will focus on the good in life, and your mind will become a happier place.