Instant Mood Boosters

3.21.2024

By: Ray SaVonne

Feeling overwhelmed by a wave of emotions and negative thoughts is not uncommon these days. The good news is that there are simple yet effective things we can do to navigate through these emotions that can instantly uplift our mood.

Here are some practical strategies to boost your mood and overcome the 8 most common mood killers:

Overthinking

When overthinking starts to take over, try practicing mindfulness techniques such as writing/journaling or meditating to help quiet your mind and center you. There is power in seeing your thoughts out on paper. In my experience, writing everything down allows me to calm my racing mind. It really helps bring clarity to the root of what’s bothering me.

Tiredness

If you’re tired, take a power nap. It seems so simple, but it truly works! When I was in grad school, I was in an accelerated program and I ALWAYS felt so tired. One of my professors told me about the power of 22, which is where you set a timer for 22 minutes and take a powernap. Those 22 minutes became my saving grace because it was just enough time to relax, but not long enough for me to fall into a deep sleep. If taking a power nap isn't something you're able to do, go for a quick walk outside, or listen to music that boosts your energy levels.

Stressed

If you’re feeling stressed, changing your scenery or environment for a little bit may help. Things like walking outside and getting sun exposure can improve your mood tremendously. If you’re not able to get outside, try altering the scent in your space by using calming scented candles or aromatherapy to help relax your mind.

Sadness

One of the best things you can do to offset sadness is to do something intentional and active. This looks like exercising, engaging in activities that bring you joy, or simply writing out your feelings to help process your emotions.

Laziness

When feelings of laziness come about, try reducing your screen and social media time, as these things tend to deter productivity. Try creating a list of small, manageable tasks to accomplish to build momentum and stay organized. You can also aim to reward yourself for completing tasks to boost your motivation.

Anxiousness

To combat anxiousness, try to calm your nerves by practicing breathing exercises, meditating, doing yoga, or journaling. These activities can help slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, which can lead to a more relaxed mental state.

Burn Out

When you start to feel burnt out, take a mental health day to rest and recharge. During this downtime, it’s important to prioritize calming and relaxing activities like reading or self-care. It’s also important to note that seeking professional help to address burnout symptoms can be beneficial if your symptoms of burnout are becoming more prevalent than usual.

Anger

If feelings of anger come about, take a step away to be alone for a bit. Use this time off to cool down by listening to music, engaging in physical exercise (to release pent-up energy), or practicing deep breathing exercises to help calm your emotions.

Remember, it's always important to listen to your body and mind and choose the strategies that work best for you in each situation. 

XO,

The Kléi