We all have bad days. A disastrous job interview, spilling coffee on your shirt before an important meeting, a broken coffee machine when you are in a desperate need of coffee… Yes, life can suck sometimes.
However, there are simple and quick techniques that could cheer you up in 5 or less than 5 minutes.
1. Take a quick walk outside.
Researchers compare walking outside in nature with other therapies that are used for improving mood such as some cognitive behavioral therapies or even taking antidepressants. They say that even a quick walk outside will do wonders for your mood and can make you happy in less than 5 minutes.
2. Dress up.
Buy yourself a nice dress or those expensive shoes that you were thinking about for weeks. Doing something for yourself, pampering yourself can instantly bring the smile back on your face. A tip: the color red can boost your self-confidence and make you turn heads wherever you go.
3. Aromatherapy.
Some researchers discovered that putting a lavender or orange scent in the dentist’s office reduced the fear and anxiety of the patients and improved their mood. So, try out different essential oils and see which one works best for you. And use it anytime you feel stressed out and anxious.
4. Give yourself a pep talk.
When you talk to yourself in a positive way it will drastically improve your bad mood. This is because we are all sometimes prone to listen to that negative voice inside our heads that makes us feel bad, ashamed, fearful, guilty, lonely, sad, not enough… When you talk lovingly and encouragingly to yourself you will brush off those negative feelings.
5. Tapping.
Tapping specific acupressure points on your body will cheer you up in a heartbeat. Tapping will remove any feelings of anxiety, anger, or sadness from your body in less than 5 minutes.
6. Listen to a happy song.
It is a very easy and a quick method for getting out of a bad mood in less than 5 minutes. Play a happy song and sing along. You don’t have to have perfect pitch or vocal skills. Just lose yourself in the song.
7. Get present.
When your mind is constantly wandering and worrying, you are susceptible to feel down. So, turn around your thinking processes and start to focus and re-center your mind. Sit calmly for a few minutes and take deep breaths. When you breathe in and out focus on your breathing process.
8. Count your blessings.
Or better, write them down! And remind yourself how lucky you are for everything that you are whenever you are feeling down. Being thankful and expressing gratitude can instantly boost your mood.
What are your ways to cheer yourself up? Share with us in the comment section.
Image: Adara Sánchez Anguiano
