10 Instant Mood Boosters

Have you ever had a morning where you felt like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed?  Try using one of these 10 instant mood boosters to turn your day around!

I wish I was a perfect, happy girl every second of the day who never has any doubts or worries.  A girl who never is sad, and always in a great mood.  However I’m a person, and not a robot, so it’s safe to say there will be days that I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, just like everyone else does.  

Today was one of those days.  After rolling over and catching another hour of sleep and still waking up grumpy, I was determined not to stay in a funk any longer!  

I decided to write a list the best natural mood enhancers that work!  They are all simple actions that could instantly put you in a better frame of mind, and make you feel better.  

Hopefully some of these mood boosters will help you if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed too.  I’m already having a much better day.

1. Take a Shower.  

I always associate taking a shower with getting ready and beginning a new day.  There’s something wonderfully cathartic about a fresh start.

So even if you’ve already been up for a few hours, taking a shower can lift your mood.  You can “restart” you day and turn it into a good one.  Think of it like washing away all the negativity.

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2. Clean your apartment (this can also include smudging).  

If you clean your apartment, you’ll be happier. You’ll be able look around and see space – clean, happy space.  I always say a clean space yields a clean mind, and I really do live by that phrase!  I’m happier when things are tidy.

Pick up After Yourself

If you tidy your area and pick up after yourself, you’ll be able to find anything you need quickly and easily.  You won’t have to step over piles of things on the floor (be honest… sometimes it gets that messy, I know).  

Doing the dishes and throwing in a load of laundry are little things you can do to clean up.  Even completing one of those tasks can create a sense of accomplishment and improve your mood. 

Smudge your Home

Another way to clean your space and get a fresh start to the day is to smudge your home.  Smudging is the act of burning sacred herbs and using the smoke to cleanse and purify a space.

Smudging releases negative ions which are shown to reduce depression scores. There are also studies that show smudging removes some bacteria in the air.

It also cleanses the space of negative energy.  Check out my article on smudging to learn what it is, why it works, and how to do it!  This is one of the things I always do when I need a quick and efficient mood booster.

3. Put on a pretty outfit.  

If you feel pretty, you’ll feel better about yourself.  Put on something with bright sunny colors.  Throw on your favorite bracelet, or do something fun with your makeup, or both – go all out!  

If you feel good about your appearance, other good feeling will follow. Happiness is contagious.  The more happiness you cultivate, the more happiness you’ll notice popping up in expected ways in your life.

4. Take a moment to meditate.

Meditation is something that I find to be a non-negotiable part of my daily routine.  It is great for centering your energy, and coming back to your breath and body.

I find that my meditation practice works best when I pick a consistent time to meditate each day.  I like to meditate first thing in the morning!  However, if I find myself overcome with stress, worry, and anxiety I will stop what I’m doing and take some time to breathe.

Even taking ten mindful breaths is helpful when stress starts to take over.  You don’t need a lot of time to feel the benefits of meditating, even just spending 5 or 10 minutes meditating can be helpful.

5. Think about the things you’re grateful for.  

Making a list of things you’re grateful for is hard when you feel kind of crappy.  I save this for after I’ve done a few other mood boosters first. 

When you’ve tried a few other mood boosters and are starting to feel a little bit better think of all the wonderful things you have in your life.  Even if you’re not exactly where you want to be in life, there are still so many wonderful things in your world, I know it!  

You might not have your dream job, or apartment, but there are other things to be grateful for – having clean water to drink, a roof over your head a close friend or family member, etc. 

It might take a few minutes, but once you start thinking about what you’re grateful for, you’ll train your brain to practice gratitude.  Practicing gratitude is one of the most important habits you can cultivate!

6. Make a plan for the day (and limit your social media time).  

One of the best mood enhancers and ways to overcome unhappiness is to make a list of things to do to keep yourself busy.  

If you’re filling the day with lots of tasks and activities you’ll be really productive (which will make you feel great) AND you won’t have any time to dwell on negative emotions.

A Note on Social Media

Sometimes if I don’t have a plan for the day I’ll find myself spending an excessive amount of time on a social media.  Don’t get me wrong, social media can be a great tool to keep up with friends and loved ones, but it’s good to take a break sometimes.

Social media is just a highlight reel – no one posts everything (especially the bad, and the ugly parts) of what they’re going through.  Taking breaks from social media is a good way to avoid the comparison trap.

It never feels good to look on facebook twitter pinterest or instagram and feel less than.  Repeat after me “I will not compare myself to a stranger on instagram”.

7. Do something that brings you joy.  

I don’t know what it is for you, maybe it’s drawing, or reading a chapter of your favorite book, maybe it’s painting your nails, hanging out with a group of friends, or making some DIY wall art to dress up your home.  

Whatever the thing is that brings you joy, I encourage you to do it! There are so many things that bring joy, and for each person they will be different.  For me, some things that bring me joy are writing blog posts (to share with you!), meditating, and learning about crystals.  

8. Find some sunshine.  

Open your windows and let the light in.  Let the breeze blow your curtains around and bring in the smells of summer (or the crisp winter air).  

Go outside and take a walk around your neighborhood, listen to the birds chirping and stare at the sky.  If you let sunshine into your life, there’s no way you can stay blue!

9. Exercise.  

It’s no secret that exercise creates endorphins.  Plus, you’ll feel better about yourself (can we say hello dream body!?), and when you feel good about yourself that happiness touches other parts of your life too.

Some people only exercise for weight loss benefits, but incorporating exercise into your life is a great way to improve your mood.

Starting is the hardest part of exercising.  However, once you get moving, I’m sure you’ll notice you’re feeling leaps and bounds happier than you were before you put on your workout shoes!

It doesn’t matter if you go to the gym, take a walk around the neighborhood, or even go for a hike – any type of exercise is beneficial.

10. Mood Food – Eat something healthy.  

Make a gourmet sandwich loaded with fresh produce, or throw some beans and veggies together with a little olive oil for a raw “pasta-less” salad.  If you feed your body well, you’ll be feeding your mind well too.  Think about it like mood food – if you’re feeding your body the right kind of food, it can lift your mood.

Food is fuel, and nourishing your body with the fuel it needs plays an important part in mood regulation.  Let’s not forget, our body is a temple – so we should be treating it like a temple, not a trash can. 

Final Thoughts on Mood Boosters

There’s no magic fix, to lifting your spirits and putting your in the best mood.  You’ll have to experiment with these mood boosters to find what works best for you.  The best natural mood boosters for you may be different than the best mood boosters for me – but, I will say, trying something is better than doing nothing.  

Hopefully these 10 natural mood boosters will make you day a little better.  There’s nothing more important than taking time to take care of your mental health.  And I just want to say, in case no one else has today, you’re amazing.  You’ve got this.  I send you love and support on your journey and know that you can thrive!

Do you have a favorite tip to make yourself feel better and relieve some stress when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?  Please share it in the comments below!

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This post originally appeared on the blog in August of 2015.  I have since updated it with new tips and photos.

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