A little self-trickery can go a long way. No, this isn’t the same as denial. But, these simple tasks help lift mood with minimal work. There are a few things at home you can do to induce some much-needed positivity.
Science has proven that bright colors work wonders for naturally elevating mood. As strange as it may seem, getting dressed in a vibrant outfit could change your whole outlook. This alone could significantly reduce feeling of depression, anxiety, and exhaustion. Healthy self-trickery at its finest!
Employing a little spa-like self-care can also go a long way. Do your nails. Schedule a haircut or massage. Taking care of yourself physically will improve your mental and emotional well-being. It helps stabilize mood and boost confidence. When you look good, and have had a little time to reset, you feel good.
Call up a friend and ask if they want to join in a ‘time out,’ self-care day. Getting out of the house and catching up with others can quickly lift your spirits. If you’re up to it, schedule a run or a yoga session with a friend – a great combination of exercise and socialization that will induce feel-good chemicals in the brain and reset energy levels.
It is also important to make reframing the negative to positive and re-energizing your life as fun as possible. Create a self-care jar in which you select one item each day to take on just for yourself. You can also use online resources to begin following self-help podcasts, reading trauma healing eBooks, listening to inspirational YouTube videos or pinning self-care ideas on Pinterest. You can join Facebook groups with like-minded people who frequently post affirmations, daily laughs, and other mood-lifters. There are a ton of resources available for building resilience even during the toughest of times.
Focus on caring for your whole self – inside and out – and make a commitment to continue recovery efforts indefinitely. This means, committing to a new perspective, a new strategy for stress management, self-care, and perhaps even a new diet and exercise routine. A little self-attention can go a long way.