An improved mood is an improved day!
Life can be extremely unpredictable at times but developing habits that create and improved mood is the best way to feel a steady sense of happiness throughout the day. Below are a few habits that are backed by research and proven to improve your overall mood.
Develop a Fitness Routine
Getting an adequate amount of physical activity each week is crucial to improving your mood. According to Mayo Clinic’s recommendations, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week is necessary for your wellbeing. Whether you walk after work each day, take workout classes at a local gym, or ride your bike to work, you will notice an enhanced mood very quickly.
Exercise also allows you to clear your mind and step away from the daily stresses that life brings. Many studies link physical activity and a proper fitness routine with reduced risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Make time in your schedule to exercise at least a couple of days a week and you feel happier and healthier overall.
Make Time for Friends and Family
Although it may seem like a low priority when your work consumes the majority of your day, socializing with others makes us happier and improves our mood.
Making time to eat dinner with your family, going out to dinner with friends on the weekend, or calling an old friend on the way home from work allows us to feel supported and makes life interesting. Everyone feels happier when they are laughing with others and this sense of well-being lowers depression.
Have a Proper Morning Routine
The choices you make in the morning set the stage for the rest of the day. By sticking to a routine in the morning to look forward to, every day will feel like a fresh start. By waking up a few minutes earlier each morning, you can create a more productive lifestyle that will enhance your mood.
Making your bed, eating a healthy and balanced breakfast, and opening the curtains to let the light in are all examples of ways to improve your mood for the day.
According to a review published in JAMA Internal Medicine, meditating for even a few minutes in the morning to start the day off has direct links to mental health improvements. These are just a few examples of tasks you can incorporate into your morning routine to improve your mood throughout the rest of the day.
Make Time for Self-Care
Self-care is a crucial habit to have when trying to enhance your mood. By taking time for yourself, you will feel more willing to help others throughout the day and will be prepared to take on whatever the day may bring.
If you love reading, take half an hour each night to read your favorite book. If you enjoy spa treatments, use a couple of skincare products and you will feel satisfied and happier at the end of the day. Whatever practice you enjoy, taking a couple of minutes out of each day to make time for yourself is a great habit to enhance your daily life, health, and mood.
Get an Adequate Amount of Sleep
There are tons of ways that sleep improves nearly every aspect of our lives. Many scientists have linked a direct correlation between sleep and mood, and it is one of the most important ways to improve your mental health. Based on a study at the University of Pennsylvania, sleep has a powerful effect on your mental health and mood.
When subjects were only given 4.5 hours of sleep per night, they found that they were extremely anxious, stressed, and irritable throughout the day. As soon as they began sleeping more, their moods were instantly improved, and they were much more alert and happier. Going to sleep at a reasonable time and sleeping for at least 6-8 hours every night is the most important habit to possess when improving your mood.