Mood-Boosting Strategies for Living Your Best Life

Note: This guest post was written by Kimberly Thomas.

Sometimes the daily grind can make you feel dull and listless; it happens to everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple techniques you can use to lift your spirits and get back to feeling your absolute best.

Exercise and Eat Well

You’ve surely heard about the benefits of exercise, but don’t be down on yourself if you haven’t been making time for it. Even fitting a few stretches and some extra steps into your spare moments is better than no exercise at all, and you can work your way up to a more formal plan at your own pace.

Healthy eating isn’t about depriving yourself; it’s an opportunity to discover new favorites. Eating more fruits and vegetables is a great start. If you like chips, pickled vegetables are similarly savory and crunchy; frozen grapes and pineapple slices are easy replacements for sour candy and popsicles. Don’t force yourself to eat healthy foods you dislike; find new recipes and taste-test foods you’ve never tried.

Practice Self-Care

Looking after yourself is crucial. Get plenty of sleep, indulge in your favorite relaxing rituals, and reevaluate which unpleasant obligations you can get rid of. Your wardrobe is an often-overlooked source of self-care. Donate uncomfortable or unflattering clothes and replace them with ones that make you smile. Secondhand shops and local swap groups can yield wonderful surprises here.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Online therapists such as Dr. Lauren Cook offer individualized coaching, counseling, and other resources.

Try a New Hobby

Reenergize by shaking up your leisure time. Think creatively about things that intrigue you and ideas you’ve never considered. A new craft, sport, or language can add zest to your daily life.

Volunteer

Giving back is another way to find peace and purpose. Think about what you’re good at and what you enjoy. Don’t feel pressured to swing a hammer or tutor a child if you’d rather be walking shelter dogs or writing letters to veterans; there are endless ways to help.

Tend Your Relationships

Other people make a huge difference to your well-being. Consider which people make you happy and make an effort to see them more often and to show your appreciation. If certain people in your orbit are difficult or even toxic, look into strategies for dealing with them, and remember that you have the right to cut someone out of your life to protect yourself or your loved ones.

Improve Your Career

If your job is wearing you down, don’t just accept it. If you’d like to stay at your current company but there’s a specific problem, think of potential solutions and ask your boss to help you implement them. A good response will help lighten your load, while a bad one may change your mind about whether this job is worth keeping.

If you decide to change careers entirely, or if you want to start your own business, taking online courses from an accredited program allows you to prepare at your own pace without moving to a new town or abandoning your other responsibilities. Even if you decide not to pursue a full MBA degree, classes on topics such as accounting, marketing, and strategic planning can be helpful in many different fields. Whichever program you choose, make sure the tuition is fairly priced and investigate whether you qualify for financial aid.

There are so many easy ways to help yourself feel happier and less stressed. Pick a few and get going!

This guest post was written by Kimberly Thomas.