24 hours to a healthier body, mind and soul: a list of high impact self-care tools to boost your mood and lift your spirits
Feeling funky? Try focusing on these small, yet high-impact tools to get your groove back and work toward a healthier body, mind and soul.
Funks and the occasional bad mood happen to all of us.
Eventually we snap out of it, but sometimes it takes longer than we’d like. This is often because we’re so heavily focused on the root cause of our bad moods, that we’re not focused enough on the things we could be doing to feel better.
Figuring out what’s keeping you down is definitely important, but it’s just as crucial to be proactive about feeling better.
The good news is a little self-care goes a long way. In fact, it’s the small, regular things we do for ourselves that lead to real, lasting change and happier living.
In this article, I’m sharing 7 high impact self-care ideas to explore when those bad moods hit, to help you lift your spirits and get back on track in no-time.
The best part? Each of them are easy to do, accessible to all, and require very little time or effort.
Stop scrolling.
Not only are social media platforms designed to be totally addictive, but we learn more every day about their direct correlation to anxiety and depression.
Spending time on these platforms triggers sadness and diminishes well-being. We search for validation in the form of follows and likes, and compare the realities of our day-to-day life with the highlights others share from theirs.
When I’m feeling off, one of the first things I do to clear my head is take a day or two away from social media. And almost immediately I feel the benefits; I’m more present and engaged, my sleep improves, I experience greater focus and productivity - all of which makes me feel good.
Free your mind.
Free-writing, brain-dump, journaling - call it what you want. The idea is the same: put pen to paper and write down every thought that comes to mind to clear some much needed mental space.
Even if you don’t do this for yourself on a regular basis, it’s still a great exercise to implement sporadically if you’re feeling down and out.
Just 10 minutes of conscious writing to release your thoughts and feelings can make a world of difference in letting go of that which weighs you down.
This is something I like to make a habit of no matter what my mental state, but always make it a top priority when I’m feeling low. It helps me gain perspective on what I’m feeling almost instantly, and it’s especially helpful for letting go of the little things that are bothering me.
Get out of the house and into nature.
Being in nature profoundly impacts our brains and behavior.
Whether it’s a long hike or a quick stroll around the block - getting outside on a regular basis is crucial for optimal mental health.
It’s also an instant mood booster.
On days that I’m particularly stressed or anxious (and tend to lose focus), I like to head outside - even if only for 10 minutes - to re-center my thoughts and feelings. Fresh air, a new environment, so many sights and sounds - all of it invites a fresh perspective or new way of seeing things, which is just what’s needed when we’re at our lowest.
Wherever you live, whatever the season, don’t take for granted what’s right outside your front door every moment of the day.
Eat balanced meals, comprised of mostly whole foods.
We know that poor diets are linked to a myriad of health issues, but they also contribute to things like fatigue, brain fog and a lack of energy.
Eating crap when you’re already feeling low can feel like a momentary escape, but before long you’re left feeling even worse than before.
Eating balanced meals on the other hand, comprised of mostly whole foods, does the complete opposite. It makes us look and feel our best, both physically and mentally.
Few things in life make me feel as good as cooking with (and eating) fresh, healthy whole foods. I become more alert and energized, and feel proud of myself for seeking out this kind of nourishment.
Next time you’re feeling down, try cooking a balanced meal, packed with fresh whole food ingredients, and see for yourself just how great it makes you feel.
Get moving.
We all know that exercise is important, not just for our physical health but our mental health too.
But when you’re feeling down, it’s hard to find the energy or motivation to get a work out in. So what do you do when the very thing that’s supposed to make you feel good is the last thing you want to do?
In moments like this, I like to set aside my regular workouts and opt for something less intense like a simple walk, an easy hiking trail or 20 minutes of yoga. When I don’t have the energy or drive to work out intensely, choosing something more inviting and low impact allows me to be gentle with myself and still get all the healthy benefits that come with moving my body.
If even that sounds like a struggle, try committing to just 5 minutes. Worse case scenario is you stop, but still have the satisfaction of knowing you tried. Best case scenario is you keep going, get a great workout done, and finish strong with a feeling of rejuvenation.
Treat yourself.
Whether it’s a big splurge on something from your wish list, or a small indulgence like an iced coffee from your local cafe - there’s always a feeling of sheer joy that comes along with treating yourself to something.
This tip is not complicated; figure out what gives you pleasure, and as long as it’s within your means, go ahead and indulge. Don’t feel guilty about it either, because if it makes you feel good it’s worth it.
Tap into your creativity.
Creative endeavors of all kinds work like magic to melt away troubles.
When we engage in our hobbies or a creative activity we enjoy, it allows us to re-direct our focus and give something other than our bad mood, our undivided attention.
For me, it’s cooking; over the years, being in the kitchen and whipping up healthy comforts has become somewhat of a meditative experience. It makes me totally present and engaged, which means I am not thinking about anything else - including my funky mood.
Whatever your thing is - playing guitar, painting, knitting, writing, golfing - if you’re feeling down, try just 10 minutes of doing the thing that you love. It’s almost guaranteed to hijack your focus, make you forget why you were down to begin with, and bring you some joy.
None of this is to say that bad feelings or moods should be ignored. But in many cases they can easily be overcome by re-connecting to a few simple things that clear our minds, bring us joy and fill our tanks.
Feel free to bookmark this page and return to it any time you have a need to feel better, and want to get there quickly. Applying even just one or two of these tips can completely shift your mood and perspective in 24 hours or less. Combined them together for even more powerful results.
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