6 Ways to Boost Your Mood While You're Waiting On Spring + A Link-Up Party
I will be the first to admit that by the time mid February rolls around, I’ve got a major case of Spring Fever! Years ago, before I started Crazy Blonde Life, January and February were always horrible months for me because the weather was bad and my routine seemed boring to me. Going outside wasn’t fun and the depression set in. Blogging, thank goodness, has saved me from totally hating the first two months of the year, but I still start to long for spring weather and sunshine around this time of the year. If you can relate, read on for 6 ways to boost your mood and make these last few weeks of winter brighter and to read about the Link Up Party!
Let There Be Light
For people who tend to get sadder in the colder months, light therapy is a helpful way to keep your mood up. Light therapy is used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by exposure to artificial light. Seasonal affective disorder usually occurs in the fall or winter. During light therapy, you sit or work near a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light , similar to natural outdoor light. It affects brain chemicals that are linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms. This article from The Mayo Clinic and this article from Goop are both good reads and very helpful!
Getting outside when possible, even when the weather isn’t ideal is also very helpful !
“Breathing fresh air can raise levels of oxygen in your brain, which in turn boosts the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that alters your mood.”
Put On Your Dancing Shoes and Do A Little Dance
It may sound straight out of a cheesy musical, but breaking out into dance is actually an effective way to not only boost your mood, but to also improve your social skills and self-confidence.
“In a study at the University of Derby, depressed patients given salsa dancing lessons improved their moods significantly by the end of the nine-week, hip-swiveling therapy. Researchers cite the endorphin boost of exercise, plus the social interaction and concentration that dancing requires, and the increased self-confidence from learning a new skill.” ~ Psychology Today
Although learning a new dance is fun and also great exercise, you don’t have to be a pro at any specific dance to reap the benefits of just blasting the music and doing your own moves! Dancing is helpful because it’s a physical activity that also relieves stress!
Take In Some Good Scents
Smell is a powerful sense we can use to tap into our positive emotions! Think about the smell of freshly baked cookies or fresh greenery at Christmastime. The positive emotions brought about by scents is a practical and useful way to regulate your mood. Scents such as citrus have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, so next time you're feeling a little under the weather, reach for citrus essential oils or other naturally-calming scents such as lavender. Aromatherapy is widely known for its power to suppress feelings of sadness and stress, making way for relaxation and a state of well-being. Try blending a citrus essential oil into coconut oil and dotting it onto your legs in the morning and smooth just a few drops on your wrists to relax you throughout the day!
Practice Gratitude
One of the most proven tools of positive psychology is the gratitude journal. The simple act of writing down three things that happened that you're grateful for can intensify positive memories and increase positive feelings. Studies have found that keeping a gratitude journal even just once a week can help you feel happier, more optimistic, improve your mood and give you a greater sense of overall emotional well-being and happiness.
Belt Out Some Tunes
Like dancing, singing can have a huge impact on your mood. Whether you do it in the car, with a friend, in the shower, or at a concert, actively engaging with music instantly boosts your mood. Belting out some tunes can lower your cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, elevate endorphines and improve your overall health and wellbeing and…you’ll be happy to know that it still works even if you aren't a great singer!
Laugh A Little
Letting out a good laugh can help boost your mood, even if you have to force it. Whether anything is funny or not, when the body is laughing it releases a surge of feel good and healing hormones, similar to what we call a 'runner's high', including endorphin, dopamine, and serotonin. All that is required is sustained and willing laughter. Laughter improves the immune system, lowers blood pressure , helps more oxygen reach the brain and improves the operation of your heart.
LINK UP PARTY
This is my first Link-Up Party! Today, I’m teaming up with Robin LaMonte of the blog Hello I’m 50ish. Today, through next Tuesday, Bloggers, and Instagramers can hare their favorite posts by clicking the blue Inlinkz button below. Adding your link will allow you to show off your hard work, make new connections, and gain new followers! Share whatever you like and be a part of the community!!
Here’s what to do . . .
LEAVE A COMMENT! Follow Robin and me on Instagram.
Visit a few other bloggers, to make new friends and increase your own following!
Be sure to tell your friends about this linkup so they can join in the fun too. The more the merrier! Have fun hopping around all the Blogs and Instagram accounts that have linked up!
By linking up you acknowledge that you have rights to the photograph you are using for the thumbnail and that the thumbnail may be used on our group Pinterest board, featured in an outfit or look of the week or month, or a slideshow on other social media.