A hopeful, optimistic mood makes everything about your life better. Here are some reasons why improving your mood is good for your total well-being and happiness.  

It Improves Your Mental Health

Your mental wellness shapes your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It reduces stress and makes it easier to cope with challenges and setbacks.

Look, you’re going to have problems. Everyone has anxiety, fears, and worries. Going through difficult times is a natural part of living. 

But, when you’re healthy mentally and emotionally, you’re resourceful and resilient! You find solutions and bounce back faster. You face stuff head-on with confident expectations.  

Being resilient means staying flexible and focused and having confidence in your abilities when life throws you a curveball.

Benefits of Boosting Your Mental Well-being And Improving Your Mood

• You see opportunities where others see problems
• You’re confident and have healthy self-esteem
• You have a sense of contentment with life in general
• You balance work and play and set boundaries
• You build healthy relationships
• You take care of yourself because you know and believe your life matters
• You enjoy your life and can laugh at yourself

Improve Your Mood by Polishing Your Social Skills

We thrive when we feel connected to others. It’s how we were designed – it’s hardwired into us. So, be engaging!

You don’t have to be surrounded by people 24/7. But make an effort to enjoy companionship and friendship to boost your mood and spirit. 

Calling or texting is great. But nothing beats the mood-boosting power of sitting down with family or friends. Quality face-to-face time is priceless.

Sitting, talking, listening, sharing is great for your spirit and brain. Here’s why: studies show that our brains are wired for connectivity. Certain areas of our brains light up when we do volunteer work or spend some time with a friend.

Not only that, but the brain rewards us for being socially outgoing by signaling the release of two happy hormones, oxytocin and serotonin. Just being with your partner, friends, or even colleagues, brightens your mood. 

But guess what, it works with strangers too. Look people warmly in the eyes with a smile as you say hello or wish them a good day. 

Take a friendly second or two to smile and greet the barista or the cashier. It takes only seconds, but these little acts of cheerful kindness are terrific mood boosters. You’ll make their day and yours.

Improve Your Mood by Staying Fit

The link between the mind and body are linked; they affect each other. Taking care of your physical health nourishes your mental well-being.

Get this: Exercising for just 20 minutes causes your brain to release endorphins. These are one of the four happy chemicals that work to stabilize your mood and boost energy levels.

As added bonuses, regular physical activity also improves memory and concentration, relieves stress, and promotes sound sleep.

Don’t make it complicated. Find something you enjoy and do it several times a week. Simple but revolutionary. 

Better yet, find a group of friends and be active in a group to stay motivated and improve your mood.

Improve Your Mood by Regulating Stress Levels

Stress is a “bad guy.” Everyone knows this. Chronic stress harms our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Here’s the deal, though. Can we avoid stress? Nope. But you can use certain stress-reducing techniques to manage the pressures of daily life.

Stress coping strategies will help you to cope with life’s ups and downs, and are practical tools to reclaim your power, improve your mood, and feel good about yourself.

Consider these stress-reducing strategies: 

• Get quality sleep nightly
• Eat healthy food like vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans, avocados, and fatty fish 
• Practice relaxation techniques, like mindful meditation, full-body stretching, and deep breathing
• Make time for yourself and do something you enjoy
• Get outside and soak in some sunshine
• Go out with friends
• Enjoy dates and special alone time with your romantic partner
• Laugh more
• Pray
• Connect with a community of faith

Remember…

Either you control your mood, or your mood will control you. Why be at the mercy of your mood when there are so many ways to improve it, feel better about yourself, and enjoy life more this very minute? 

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