From nutrition and supplements, to lifestyle support, here are six easy things you can do to take your mood up a notch.
If you’re in need of a serious mood boost lately, you’re definitely not alone. 2020 has brought on so much added stress, not to mention changes in our day to day routines, less social interaction, which can leave us feeling like we’re stuck in a rut.
The good news is that there are some natural ways to support your mood that you may not have thought of yet. Plus, these are all tips that also support a healthy lifestyle, so it’s truly a win, win.
From nutrition and supplements, to lifestyle support, here are six easy things you can do to take your mood up a notch.
6 Unique Ways to Boost Your Mood
#1 Get Outside (Daily)
Have you ever gone outside on your lunch break or took a walk when you got home from work and just felt so much better? Fresh air can do wonders for our mood, not to mention the fact that soaking up some vitamin D does us some good too.
Some research suggests that vitamin D may help support mood, and it doesn’t take much — getting outside and exposing both your arms and legs to sunshine for just 10-15 minutes on a sunny day, a few times per week, is thought to be enough to help your body make the vitamin D that you need. (1)
So, get outside for a walk or simply take your lunch break outside if you can. It may help you feel a bit more upbeat as you go about the rest of your day.
#2 Optimize Your Sleep Habits
We all know the negative effects a poor night sleep can have on our mood, and just overall cognitive function the next day — it’s like a lack of sleep hangover. But, there’s also research out there that shows that it’s also the sleep quality that matters too. (2) So, if you feel like you are getting to bed early enough, but are tossing and turning all night, it may be time to do something about your overall sleep quality.
Here are seven ways to help support a better night’s sleep.
- Turn off electronics 1-2 hours before bed (or at the very least, use blue light blockers!)
- Implement an evening sleep routine.
- Try yoga or meditation before bed.
- Invest in blackout curtains if too much light outside is keeping you awake.
- Consider upgrading your bedsheets to something more comfortable.
- Sip on something calming before bed like chamomile tea.
- If you’re waking up hungry in the middle of the night, try snacking on something light yet filling like almond butter and a sliced banana.
#3 Get Into a More Organized Routine
If a lack of routine is leaving you feeling super stressed out, something as simple as getting things a bit more organized can help you feel more in control, and thus more productive. And, when we’re feeling productive, our mood may benefit too.
Try a new way of organizing your day that you maybe haven’t tried before, such as trying an online calendar format or the old trick of just plain old pen and paper. Find what works and then be consistent!
#4 Declutter
Clutter can also make us feel frazzled. Some studies have found that clutter can actually make us feel stressed by inundating our brains with too many stimuli. (3) So, if you’ve been meaning to organize your desk or bookshelf, today may be the time to do it! If not, schedule in a time to get an area of your home or work desk organized. Once you tackle one area, you’ll likely have the motivation to start working on the next.
#5 Gratitude Journaling
Starting your morning or even ending your day with a gratitude journaling practice is another excellent way to help support a more positive mood. In fact, studies have suggested that gratitude journaling may help us feel happier. (4)
Try a simple practice of writing down three things you are grateful for each morning before your day gets started. It may make a huge change in how you feel as you go about your busy day.
#6 Eat Your Way to a Better Mood
While we often think about diet as it relates to our physical wellbeing, supporting total wellness really involves a holistic approach to supporting both mind and body. This is where consuming a nutrient-dense diet comes into play as it relates to mood.
There’s research that has shown just how powerful the gut-brain connection is, which makes it important for us to support healthy digestion, and the foods we consume are extremely important. Probiotics, in particular, have been shown to indirectly support brain health, all thanks to this gut-brain connection. (5) Some great probiotic-rich foods to include in your diet include kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, miso, and unsweetened yogurt.
Omega-3 fatty acids (like those found in fish) have also been shown to support brain health, and they may have a positive effect on mood. (6) Some great omega-3 rich foods to consider include wild-caught salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia, flax, and hemp seeds.
Here at BalanceGenics, we also offer a Mood Support supplement bundle, including a daily probiotic, Daily Adrenal Adaptogen Complex, and Krill oil. These targeted supplements are intentionally bundled together to help support gut health, provide you with a potent dose of omega-3s, and to help support a healthy stress response, which are all key parts of mood support.
A Total Body Approach to Encouraging A Better Mood
When it comes to supporting a more positive mood, it really takes a total body approach from healthy eating to supporting gut health, and even getting enough sleep. We have to supply the body with the nutrients and stress-busting support it needs in order to maintain a healthy mind and mood.
So, when looking for ways to boost mood, consider these six easy and healthy things you can do. They become staples in how you go about your daily routine.
QUICK DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither the author(s) nor the publisher of this content take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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