When’s the last time you were in a bad mood?
It’s okay, you don’t have to raise your hand. I’m definitely guilty of being in a bad mood from time to time.
Guess what? Our moods have a huge effect on how we make decisions, especially ones that relate to our health. Being in a good mood can keep us feeling motivated and working towards our goals.
On the flipside, being in a bad mood (stress, sadness, anger, etc.) can completely trainwreck our health and fitness objectives. I’m talking eating away our feelings, throwing our healthy aspirations by the wayside, feeling discouraged, and gaining weight as a result.
Maybe the numbers on the scale aren’t budging, and now you’re feeling irritated, so exercising today seems pointless, so you don’t.
Or maybe work stress is getting you down, so instead of eating a healthy meal at home, you decide to drown yourself in a shake and a greasy burger at the nearest fast food chain on the way home.
There are plenty of other examples of how a bad mood can affect our willpower, health, and weight loss.
That said, being able to manage our moods will go a long way in helping us achieve our ideal shape and feel healthy.
When life’s stressors get us down, making it harder to stay motivated and continue after our health goals, are we supposed to just curl up in a ball and wave the white flag of surrender?
Definitely not.
There are a lot of activities we can do to improve our mood. The next time you find yourself in a funk, try out one or multiple of these activities below.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Research shows sleep can help keep our emotions in balance, and a lack of sleep can do quite the opposite. Let’s be real for a second, is there anything better than getting some great shut eye?
2. Enjoy the Sunlight
Catching some nice rays can boost serotonin levels, which can have a positive effect on your mood. Take some time to have fun outside under the sun. If you’re in the office, crack open the blinds a bit. Don’t be afraid of a little sun.
3. Pet A Dog
Any dog lovers out there? It turns out petting dogs can trigger feel-good hormones, and let’s face it, there’s not much that beats having a good hangout sesh with your furry friend.
4. Get In Some Exercise
I know, I know, when you’re feeling down or stressed out, the last thing on your mind may be to exercise. But exercise can definitely help boost your mood. You don’t have to have a gym pass.
5. Turn On Some Jams
Nothing’s better than going on a good drive and blasting your favorite tunes, maybe even getting into it a little bit with some head bobs and what not. A good tune can definitely lighten the mood, it’s science! Not to mention it can also help you lose weight. Wait, what?! Yeah, seriously.
6. Get A Massage
Have a less than stellar day? Book yourself a massage… or talk your friend into giving you one. Massages not only feel great, they can also enhance your mood.
7. Do Some Service
Not trying to get sentimental here, but doing a good deed for someone else, no matter how I’m feeling, always gets me feeling a little fuzzy inside. Look for an opportunity to serve someone, no matter how small it may be.
8. Hang Out With People You Love
“Friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life and said, ‘I’m here for you,’ and proved it.” -Unknown.
Ok, I may have tried to get a little sentimental there. Spending some quality time with your family, friends, and people you love can help ease your stress and make you feel better.
9. Do Some Meditation
If you’ve got the patience for it, meditation can be an amazing way to relax, calm down, and recenter yourself. If you can carve out a couple minutes for it each day, go for it.
10. Keep A Gratitude Journal
It’s so easy to forget about all the good things going on in your life, especially when things start to hit the fan. But there’s no need to wait around for Thanksgiving to feel thankful.
Keep a little journal on hand (or use the note-taking app on your smartphone) and jot down things that you’re thankful for. Research shows it can make you more optimistic.
11. Get In A Good Laugh
I think we’ve probably all heard something like, “laughter is the best medicine,” and guess what? Getting in a good laugh can help you get out of a slump. Go ahead, flip on your favorite comedy, hang out with a friend, scroll through YouTube, or do whatever it is that makes you laugh.
12. Fake It ‘Till You Make It
Ever heard that expression before? I sure have. Walking around with a smile on your face can positively impact your feelings. So try it out!
Let’s Get Boosted
There are plenty of activities we can do to help improve our mood and start feeling better.
For those that want an extra boost of energy and happiness, get exante Boost. Even better, it also boosts fat burn and helps you feel full.
No, it’s not some magic drink that will get you your ideal shape while you sit on the couch all day. Those don’t exist. But exante Boost is carefully formulated with ingredients to maximize your efforts.
The delicious and refreshing flavors of Boost are sure to have you smiling in no time! One sip and I know you’ll agree.
Did I miss an activity that you like to do to calm down and improve your mood? Let me know in the comments below!