Do you ever have those moments where you feel like you’re in a bit of a funk? Your attitude isn’t great and you don’t feel like smiling or expressing enthusiasm towards anything. Maybe you didn’t sleep well and feel grouchy as a result. When this happens, sometimes by changing your routine slightly or doing a few little things can help to turn your day around to become brighter.
1. Flowers
Bringing plants or flowers into your home is a simple way of adding more colour, freshness and beauty. The other week while grocery shopping, I picked up a beautiful bunch of tulips. The weather had been cold and gloomy and I was craving a reminder that spring was shortly on its way. Those tulips made me happy every time I looked at the vase sitting on our kitchen table. It was also nice to intentionally buy something beautiful for myself.
2. Be Grateful
Gratitude can go a long way. Take a few minutes out of your day to be thankful for the people in your life, the food that nourishes you and the home you live in. If you’re someone who enjoys writing, then open your journal and write 3-5 things you’re thankful for today. Send an email or a note to a friend that you’re happy to have in your life. We have so much to be grateful for that we sometimes forget about the little things that bring us a lot of happiness. Choose to be the kind of person that sends out positivity towards others and that same positivity will be attracted back to you.
3. Get Outside and Get Active
Stepping outside to go for a walk and get some fresh air can help to clear your negative thoughts and improve your mood. Doing something physically active like working out can help to get your heart pumping and the blood flowing throughout your body. Working up a good sweat is known to increase endorphins which help to trigger positive feelings in your body. Grab your shoes and go for a quick walk around the block and see how your mood changes by the time you get back.
4. Listen to some Pump-up Music
This works like magic for me. When my energy is low and I need a pick me up, I will crank up the volume and enjoy listening to a pump-up song. The song varies depending on my mood. Music has the ability to create emotional experiences for us. It can make us feel happy, sad, reflective or motivated depending on what’s being played and how we relate to it. Music also has a powerful way of taking us back to specific memories from various times in our lives. I may miss the days of making mixed tapes but I have embraced the fact that music, no matter what form it takes, can always help to brighten up my mood on a gloomy day.
Give one of these things a try the next time you’re feeling a little out of sorts. Hopefully it will help to brighten up your day!
Jillian
