If you're feeling a bit blue, you might be surprised to hear that there are lots of ways to lift your mood in less than a minute. Skeptical? Try these and see.
1. A cup of coffee or tea will instantly lift your mood. You probably know that caffeine is a stimulant, but even low or no caffeine hot drinks will give you a boost or calm down whether it's chamomile or green tea, a chai latte or hot water water and lemon.
2. Listen to music that you love. You can choose custom mood music, or play your old favourites. Music has been shown to have a powerful effect on mood.
3. Ask for a hug. Probably not from your boss, but a family member or friend would love to give you the instant comfort of an embrace.
4. Smile. Smile and make eye contact with a colleague or the guy/woman in the coffee shop or the person serving you at the deli. The physical act of using your smile-muscles can genuinely make you feel happy. And it's contagious. Chances are you'll make them smile too and improve their day.
5. Go for a walk. Even walking around the block will help to lift your heart rate and energy levels.
6. Have a snack. A handful of nuts or a square of dark chocolate will send endorphins flooding into your brain and lift your mood fast.
7. Lift your shoulders up to your ears and then let them drop. Do this three times and feel the tension ebb away. It's easy to hold onto a lot of tension and stress without realizing it.
8. Get some sunshine. Go outside and get some fresh air and some sunshine. Studies have shown that people who have significant exposure to light have less depression, fewer sleep problems and are even more productive. If you can't make it outside, go and look out of a window.
9. Put some drops of lavender and orange essential oils in a diffuser. These oils have been shown to help with anxiety and to promote calmness and positivity.
10. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Breathe in and out deeply three times and feel the tension ebb away. It's easy to hold onto a lot of tension and stress without realizing it.
11. If you're feeling nervous before an interview or presentation, go into the stairwell or the restroom. Breathing in, open your arms wide, breathing out give yourself a big hug. It's almost impossible to do this withoug smiling.
12. Stand up straight, lift your head and throw your shoulder back. Adopt a Wonder Woman or Superman pose and feel the change in your energy.
So next time you feel a little bit down, try one or a few of the above mentioned techniques. You might be surprised.
xxx