4 Easy Tips To Make A Bad Day Good

You’ve probably stumbled upon this post because today is not your day. And that’s okay, that’s what I’m here for! You’re already doing something right, you are searching for ways to feel good. That is the first step! Below are some easy things you can do to turn that bad day good.

1. Listen to happy music

Music is good for us in so many ways: A calm song can relieve us of stress, and a happy one makes us smile. A recent study done by the NY Times using brain imaging showed, “music that people described as highly emotional engaged the reward system deep in their brains — activating subcortical nuclei known to be important in reward, motivation and emotion. We found that listening to what might be called “peak emotional moments” in music — that moment when you feel a “chill” of pleasure to a musical passage — causes the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine.”

This is why music can be so useful in cheering us up.  Instead of putting on a sad song to keep you in a low mood, choose something that reminds you of a good time, or something with a positive beat. By the end of a song or two, you’re likely to find yourself dancing … or at the very least ready to take on the day.

 

2. Floss Your Teeth

Seriously!  Take the extra time to take care of yourself. You deserve it.  If you start of the day right you will feel great.   Whether it be flossing  your teeth,  going to the gym, or using mouth wash for once,  something as small as that can make a huge difference. When you take the time to take care of yourself it translates to the rest of your day and makes you feel amazing!

3. Smile for one minute straight

I actually found this wisdom from a Lyft driver of all places and decided to try it out.  The rule is: If  you are sad, you must smile for one entire minute. The act of  smiling sends signals to your brain to be happy and release dopamine. A study reviewed in Psychology Today found that those endorphins also act as a natural pain reliever.  Therefore,  if you can make that smile last for 60 seconds  you will most likely end up laughing. Smiling is free and you can do it whenever you want! And bonus points, if you smile at someone else you will make them happy too. Smiles are contagious.   Don’t believe this will work?  Give it a try right now!

 

4. Hug a tree

Okay, so this one sounds a little new age, but I promise you it works! I heard this one from the same Lyft driver who told me to smile one minute straight.

My first time testing out the “Hug A Tree” method. It worked and made me feel great!

I figured it was worth a try, and honestly it makes you feel good! Even loved.  If you are in a bad mood, just find the nearest tree and hug it; Tell it that you love it.   The tree actually feels like you are hugging a person and gives you comfort. In a spiritual sense, trees represent being grounded. Just think about it, their roots are literally in the ground. Hugging a tree will remind you to ground yourself and calm down. Trees  literally “exhale oxygen” and give life to the earth. Nature is very giving and loving. Remember that everything on Earth it is here for you. When you hug a tree you feel it. This may seem crazy but what have you got to lose!? Give it a try!

 

“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” –  Groucho Marx

 

Instead of being sad, do something to make yourself feel good.  Send me updates on if any of my tips work for you in the comments below.