10 Quick Mood Boosters to Brighten Your Day

Ever find yourself in a funk? Perhaps you snapped at the love of your life? The kids? Maybe it was even the clerk at the supermarket? It’s the odd feeling of funk. And by funk I mean you feel discombobulated, blue, upset or anxiousness and it seems for no plausible reason. Ugh! No worries though. Here’s 10 quick mood boosters to raise your spirits and brighten your day. Yay!

1. Go walking on sunshine, whoooooaaa.

You know Katrina and the Waves made the song popular because it’s true. It really resonates. And if by chance the sun is not out where you are at the moment a little exercise always lifts the spirits. Of course, if you have sunshine sneak in the vitamin D for extra mood-boosting powers. And if you have a broken leg, no worries, I have something for you. Link to song.

2. Plant or buy for indoor enjoyment a brightly colored kalanchoe plant.

You get a variety of choices– yellow, red, magenta, orange, hot and light pink and white. Don’t have a green thumb? It’s okay. I assure you. I’m a bit challenged in the plant longevity department and I’ve managed to enjoy the cheery flowering plants for sometime. (True confession: I actually googled “hard to kill flowers/plants. So this research is legit.)

3. Declutter a small space.

The focus here to accomplish something that will give instant gratification and thus a quick mood boost. If you are OCD and have everything perfectly in order already. I admire you. Simply skip over this suggestion or come help me. 😉 The rest of us can put things in order so we feel the benefit of clearing out papers, unpaired socks, or unfixed gadgets that don’t serve us leaving us a happy as a pig in mud.

4. Meet a friend or friends for tea time or a cup of java.

Even the most remote of introverts at their deepest levels crave connection. Having a nice conversation, sharing some ideas and laughter never hurt anyone. Whose to say that a little caffeine from some coffee or delicious green tea can’t add to boosting your mood and brightening your day?

5. Send a positive text or email to an unsuspecting person.

Maybe it’s a client or someone you have done business with recently. Let them know what makes them valuable in the world or to you. Perhaps send a picture of something they helped bring value to you. I can assure you that on the receiving end it’s heartwarming. Just two quick shares. From a health coaching client I received two texts one was a before and after picture of her 22 pound weight loss. The other picture showcased some deliciously prepared food with a simple “Thanks! I haven’t eaten or felt this good since my 20s.”  Squeal! From a business client I received these words in an email “since we last worked together my monthly income has increased by $600.” Again, warm fuzzies and squeals of joy. I assure you that both sending and receiving feels great!

6. Call your most inspirational or funny friend.

See what’s new and good in their life. I have this friend Shelly. She seriously has the most wildly ridiculous circumstances that come up in her life that put me in stitches. She’s also a philanthropic ninja always defending the defenseless. If I want an immediate lift, I reach out and see what’s going on in the wacky and wonderful world of Shelly. She not only makes me laugh, she reminds me of how precious this life is and how we are here to serve and make a difference in this wonderful world.

7. Enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate.

Yes, I said that. A small piece of dark chocolate is full of antioxidants, it contains compounds that influence our levels of serotonin. So what do you need to know about serotonin? That this brain chemical is the feel good chemical. So go ahead and indulge a little. 🙂

8. Unwind in a hot bath.

A long time personal favorite. I like to set the stage. A little Jazz music from Miles Davis. Some lavender or vanilla essential oils added to the bath salts and a little slice of Heaven is created. Stress melts away and I’m so. good. to. go. I strongly recommend this for your personal self-care practice and mood boost repertoire.

9. Elevate with gratitude.

Pull yourself away from a funk by focusing on giving thanks. Focus less on the problem, more on creating a solution and by all means count your blessings. There’s so much to be grateful for and placing this as a daily practice helps ensure that we don’t get sucked down the grouch rabbit-trail of funk. Drum up one thing you are thankful for and relish it! It’s a quick mood booster. Pinky promise.

10. Snuggle with four-legged friends.

While puppies and kittens are high on the chart grown critters and farm animals will also do! There’s lots of supporting evidence that petting animals reduces stress, anxiety or boosts our mood.

Share with us!

In the comments below, tell us– Do you have any quick go to mood boosters? OR– what’s your next plan to defer to when you need to add a little sunshine to your life?