“Yo, you alright? You look so grumpy.” My roommate asked me, noticing the frown on my face.
“I’m in a bad mood, man. I can’t seem to shake it off,” I reply, feeling hopeless. I overslept, someone spilled coffee on my shirt, I danged my car, and missed an important meeting. How do I snap out of it?
“Well, you’re in luck,” he says, grinning. “I’ve got some weird ways to snap yourself out of a bad mood in 5 minutes or less. Ready?”
I nod, eager to get rid of this negativity.
“Smile,” said he!
Are you out of your mind? I frowned.
But then, he told me that the act of smiling could actually trigger your brain’s happiness pathways and make you feel happier.
“It doesn’t have to be a huge grin,” he said. “Just lift up those corners of your lips.”
I tried it and felt slightly better already.
Like smiling, there are many scientifically proven no-BS ways to snap yourself out of a bad mood instantly.
I know you might be wondering, “Can I actually change my mood in 5 minutes?”
The answer is a resounding yes!
Science says:
A majority of our individual happiness is pre-determined by genetics and circumstance, but a considerable 40% portion can be controlled through our daily thoughts and actions.
Changing your mood is not about trying to change the situation or solving your problems. It’s about changing a mindset that’ll make you more powerful than the hiccup in front of you.
“It’s all about mindset. From the moment you wake up, to the moment you rest your head at night. Everything is up to you. Your emotions, your thoughts. Your perceptions, your reactions. Every moment.”
— unknown
Here I share some of the things I practice every day to prevent a minor hiccup from ruining my entire day.
Music is a language without words that’s been proven to heal your emotional wounds.
Music raises the levels of serotonin in the brain. This neurotransmitter is responsible for the regulation of our emotions, deciding whether we feel happiness or sadness.
Further studies have shown that certain types of music can enhance cognitive function. This can be achieved by stimulating areas of the brain that are linked to memory recall and the ability to learn new skills at a faster rate.
The rhythm and melody of music can improve the mind and bring about a sense of well-being.
Put on your headphones, turn up the volume, and let the rhythm take over.
Whether punk, hip-hop, or classical, find what works for you and let it fill you with energy and positivity.
If you’re feeling sluggish and blue, the last thing you want to do is exercise.
But trust me, once you get moving, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel.
Take a five-minute walk, do some jumping jacks, or hit the yoga mat. Just get your blood flowing, and you’ll find that your mood improves tenfold.
Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, so even if it’s just for five minutes, make sure you get your body moving.
Animals have a great way of calming us down and lifting our moods. That’s why having pets around is so beneficial to our mental health!
There’s something about petting your furry friend. It releases oxytocin, an endorphin hormone associated with feelings of love and trust.
So if you’re feeling down, cuddle up with a furry pet and watch the blues evaporate.
A hug can be a wonderful thing. It’s an instantaneous comfort mechanism that evokes feelings of love and support.
Research has found that the simple act of hugging someone for 20 seconds or more can trigger increased levels of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin in your body.
These hormones are known to be associated with positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, and peace.
So the next time you’re feeling low, reach out to someone for a hug or take your pet for some cuddles. Physical touch can be powerful in its ability to comfort you and make you feel connected to others.
Investing in a few minutes of hydrotherapy can go a long way when it comes to improving your mood.
The warmth of the water helps relax our muscles and reduce tension while providing an instant sense of comfort. This is due to the fact that hot water has been proven to stimulate the release of endorphins, our body’s natural feel-good hormones.
Endorphins are also responsible for reducing stress and improving our mental well-being.
So if you’re feeling down, why not run yourself a hot bath and soak away your worries?
You’ll be back to your old self in no time!
“Every situation in life is temporary. So, when life is good, make sure you enjoy and receive it fully. And when life is not so good, remember that it will not last forever and better days are on the way.”
— Jenni Young
When you’re feeling down, it can be easy to let the bad feelings take over and convince yourself that your issues are bigger than they actually are.
Remind yourself that this is just a minor hiccup in the grand scheme of things.
Life goes on, and if you keep moving forward with positivity, you’ll eventually find your way out of the funk.
Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that this, too, shall pass.
Sometimes, the best way to snap yourself out of a bad mood is the simplest.
Transfer your thoughts out on paper.
Whether you write in a journal, a notebook, or even on a piece of scrap paper, take a few minutes to jot down what’s bothering you.
Writing down your feelings can help you release pent-up emotions and gain clarity.
Plus, when you look back at what you wrote, you may see that your mood was temporary and not as bad as you thought.
Art has a way of healing the soul, and tapping into your creative side can help snap you out of a bad mood.
Paint, draw, play music, etc. Take a few minutes to create something.
The process of creating can be incredibly therapeutic and help you feel more positive and energized.
Don’t worry about the end result. Just let your imagination run wild and enjoy the process.
Before you go, I’ll leave with a powerful thought to stick on your wall that’ll remind you to choose “happiness”:
“Never blame any day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, and the worst days give you a lesson.”
— Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon