15 people share small things anyone can do to improve their mood immediately.
Life is hard and full of stressors hurtling at us from all sides, which is why it's so crucial to find quick ways to recenter our brains and decompress.
While there are plenty of big-time changes we can make to improve our lives - restructuring our social lives, implementing long-term healthy eating habits, and even reconsidering our line of work, sometimes it's the small immediate actions that make the biggest difference in life quality.
In a popular Ask Reddit thread, people shared small things anyone can do to improve their mood immediately, and it's a nice reminder that we have accessible tools on hand most of the time.
1. From Andrew8Everything:
Avoid social media and f**k off into the woods for a walk.
2. From 4ninawells:
Sit outside with your eyes closed for a few minutes and just listen. Literally any time you feel stressed. Just walk out the door, close your eyes and listen. Works great in the day, even better at night.
3. From ambrosia_EmNav:
Thinking about someone who had a huge positive influence in your life (you'll not even notice how an elusive smile appears on your face).
4. From sCifiRacerZ:
Learn/practice meditation. It's basically in line with the comments 'sit quietly', 'unclench your body', and/or 'control your breathing', and I wouldn't recommend doing it while driving, but it's been a great tool for me for over 10 years now. I especially find it fun to trigger goosebumps in certain areas of my body selectively.
5. From Toirneach:
Give a genuine compliment to a stranger. If you're out, look at the people you see. Someone will have something great about them! They'll hold a door, show kindness, have on a great and flattering shirt...something. So, tell them! Don't make a big deal of it - you don't want them to wonder if you are being a creep, right?
Just a simple, 'Hey, that color looks amazing on you' or, 'You were so sweet to that lady and her kid' and move on. 99.9% of the time you'll make their day, and their face will show it. You'll have made another person very happy simply by being kind. I guarantee your mood will boost.
6. From RandomGuy_-_:
Laugh. Laughing for a certain period of time can trick your brain into thinking that you are happy. You can laugh like a maniac if you would like to.
7. From BigBearSD:
Shrinks sometimes say wearing more vibrant and colorful clothes can truly improve your mood, one of the reasons I like to wear Hawaiian shirts in the summer time.
8. From Enter-Sandwich:
Put on a brand new pair of socks.
9. From agentofmidgard:
Yo OP! I saw this years ago and I use it sometimes so I'm writing it down
Whisper 'Beep Boop..'
Plug your nose and say 'Sneep Snoop..'
Say 'Boopedeedoop' in a really deep voice
Try and say 'Bubbles' in the angriest voice you can.
Repeat the ones you like until you're not sad
10. From Llama-en-llama:
Go outside. Read poetry. Pick flowers. Bake cookies. Find a cool rock. Draw. Make yourself a cup of tea. Text a friend. Sew something. Write a letter. Light a candle. Go on a walk. Look through books on Goodreads.
11. From velouriaSF:
As per Yale's The Science of Well-Being course, one really effective method is to write a heartfelt note to someone who means a lot to you and has positively impacted your life, then hand-deliver to the person. It has been scientifically proven to not only increase your happiness levels immediately, but sustains them for up to three months.
12. From Cucumberappleblizz:
Drink water.
13. From derpieboy:
I know this seems a bit dark, but if you think about it! You’ve probably survived this day where others did not!
14. From Hati_Ashina:
Do some light exercise, a walk or a jog even just some jumping jacks. It releases endorphins and will improve your mood and reduce stress.
15. From battleforbfb:
Watch an episode of your favourite show.