Everyone has bad days, but they don’t need to completely derail your mood. Even if the odds are stacked against you, you can find silver linings almost everywhere you look. Check out these helpful ways to improve your mood on a bad day.
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Go for a Walk
Spending quality time in nature can instantly relieve your stress and anxiety. The warmth of the sun on your face and the sound of birds chirping in the distance can refocus your mind, body, and soul. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time outside to reap the benefits. Even a quick stroll around your neighborhood can instantly boost your mood.
Plus, going for a walk is a great form of exercise. During your work break, it’s easy to squeeze in a few minutes of fresh air. If you’ve had a stressful day at the office, you can use the outdoor time to decompress and refocus your energy.
Choose the Right Clothing
Did you know that clothing color can improve your mood? When you perform small acts that make you happy, such as dressing in your favorite color, you increase the dopamine in your brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that elicits feelings of pleasure and happiness.
Thus, wearing specific colors that make you feel confident can turn your day around. You can also wear a color that represents specific positive emotions when you’re feeling low. For instance, orange is often associated with enthusiasm and happiness. Blue tones, on the other hand, promote calmness and stability. Before you walk out the door in the morning, think about how the colors of your outfit make you feel.
Practice Gratitude
Another way to improve your mood on a bad day is to practice gratitude. Take a moment to stop and think about all the wonderful people and possessions you have in your life. No matter how bad your day is, you’ll likely be able to find someone or something to be grateful for.
Keep in mind that it’s important to practice gratitude every day—not only on the bad ones. In fact, when you consistently focus on being thankful for what you have, you may begin to realize your not-so-great days are few and far between.
Talk to Someone
Sometimes, the easiest way to improve your mood is to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or professional therapist. You may feel a weight lift off your shoulders if you process and articulate your feelings to someone. As humans, we crave connection, so it can be helpful for someone to simply listen to you. However, be sure to let the other person know if you’re actively seeking advice or guidance.
Whether your conversation is one-sided or you also take time to listen, it’s comforting to know there are people in your life who truly care about you. When you reach out to someone, you don’t need to experience tough moments on your own.
Bad days happen to everyone, but there are effective ways to turn your day around. With these techniques in mind, you can take a deep breath and improve your daily outlook.
