Best 10 Natural Ways to Lift Your Mood

Amy Taylor December 02, 2014

If you’re feeling blue, or want to get rid of such unwanted feeling, there are plenty of things you can do. Whether you only have five minutes or one whole year to establish a more positive perspective, try these natural ways to boost your mood and see the big difference!

Smile.

Whenever you can, smile like you mean it. A 2011 study carried out by Michigan State University showed that thinking about something positive that makes you smile can actually make you happier. Even if you don’t want to, smiling can instantly uplift your mood. According to a 2003 research by Clark University, just the act of smiling can already activate positive memories.

Take a walk in the park.

Spending time with nature is really beneficial to your health. Research published in 2013 in the journal Global Environmental Change, found that people are significantly happier when in natural environments as compared to when they were in urban environments.

Snack on dark chocolates.

Swiss researchers found that eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate every day for two weeks reduced stress hormones, including cortisol, in people who were highly stressed. Dark chocolates are also loaded with antioxidants that promote better health.

Listen to happy music.

Did someone give you a negative comment that hurt you badly? It’s time to play Taylor Swift’s “Shake it off”. Music does have healing effects, really. According to a small study reported in the Journal of Positive Psychology, students who listened to “happy” music while making a concerted effort to feel happier experienced elevations in mood.

Keep a gratitude journal.

A number of studies have found a strong correlation between gratitude and well-being, starting at a young age. Before you go to bed at night, list down five things you are thankful of. Make it a habit and see how it can positively affect your mood.

Take a nap.

Feeling irritable? It could be a sign of sleep deprivation. But even for individuals who generally get the sleep they need on a nightly basis, napping may lead to considerable benefits in terms of mood, alertness, and cognitive performance.

Volunteer.

Reaching out to those in need can have a significant impact on your mood and well-being. Researchers from the University of Exeter found that volunteering can boost happiness, ease depression and even help you live longer.

Think of the happy times.

Think about the family reunions you’ve had in the past, your first blind date, your first kiss, or the last time you went out of town with the whole family. Feeling nostalgic about the good old days can make you feel happier and more optimistic about the future, a 2013 study by University of Southampton shows.

Look at the brighter side.

Try looking at the ‘sunny’ side of the situation rather than focusing on the negative. How you look at things change everything. It’s your perspectives in life, not the things you have, that predict whether you will be a happy or lonely person.

Start a project.

Trying to beat the blues? Why not start a project – say, repaint your room, redo your closet, or clean out your car. Not your thing? Why not learn a new dish, join a fitness class, or enrol at a language school? Looking for healthy outlets is a great way to beat the blues and improve your mental health.

What about you? What do you do to improve your mood? Any tips to share? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.