Do you have a case of the Mondays?

Try one of these mood-boosting tips!

Smile and Laugh

Smile, even if you have to force yourself! Your body uses more muscles to frown than to smile, and your mood will improve in the process. Smile when you are communicating to other people, both in-person and on the phone.

Laugh! It burns calories, and will also uplift your mood. Search You Tube for some of your favorite comedian’s short videos.

Plan a Lunch or Dinner Date

Fill your calendar with a couple lunch or dinner dates with friends, family members, or colleagues. Meet at a new cafe or restaurant you have been wanting to try for a long time.  Looking forward to a fun event will help boost your mood.

Practice Mindfulness

In short, do not dwell on past and/or future events. You will waste valuable hours of your life if you continue to be upset about a past event or worry about a future event.  You cannot change an event in the past, and in some cases, a future event too.  Instead, challenge yourself to think about peaceful and positive occurrences.

Eat 2 Pieces of Dark Chocolate

Limit yourself to only 2 pieces and choose higher than 70% cocoa varieties. This type of chocolate can lower the stress hormones, cortisol and catecholamines, resulting in decreased anxiety.

Drink a Glass of Hot or Cold Green Tea

Green Tea contains the amino acid, L-Theanine. L-Theanine can increase levels of neurotransmitters, Serotonin, Dopamine, and GABA, producing a calming effect on the body and possibly improving learning and memory.

Ask Other People Questions

Showing an interest in other people’s lives can reduce feelings of depression.  Possible questions to ask the people you encounter this week, include:

• What did you do this past weekend?
• How was your child’s basketball tournament (or other event from a past conversation)?
• What project are you working on today?

Try to ask open-ended questions, or questions that evoke more than a yes or no response.

Compliment Other People

Compliment another person and you will uplift your mood and his/her mood – a Win-Win!    If you are often like me and find yourself complimenting other people “in your head,” start to speak these kind words out loud. The person will never know unless you verbally tell him/her!

• Is this person wearing a nice shirt or piece of jewelry?
• Does this person appear slimmer and more fit than in past months?
• Does this person look happy and full of energy?

Speak it!

Surround Yourself with Positive People

Negativity is contagious! But, guess what? So is positivity! Spend time talking with cheerful people.  They will pass on their positive thinking and overall happiness to you.

Divide Your Long Term Goals into Smaller, Easier to Manage Goals

Are you overwhelmed by the big picture, the long, strenuous 6-month+ goal? Break down the long term goal into smaller short goals. What do you need to accomplish this week or today? Set short term goals that are easily attainable. When you reach a goal at the end of the day or week, you will receive a since of closure that will boost your mood.

Purchase a Light Box

The poor weather conditions and lack of sunlight during the winter months can result in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in some individuals.  Symptoms of SAD include, depression, anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Light Boxes are an effective treatment for SAD.  After only a few exposures, people with both mild and severe cases improve their mood.

For more information about Light Therapy, please visit: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/basics/definition/prc-20009617.

Reference

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mysteries-love/201503/10-quick-tips-improve-your-mood