For someone with major depressive disorder, psychotherapy or medication may be the only effective options treat this situation. But if you’re just feeling down and wishing there was something you could do to improve your mood, you’ll be happy to know that there are actually several different strategies that can work. Since everyone is different, the best thing you can do is try a few approaches and see what works for you. To see what might work for you, here are five different things to try:
{Swap Reading for Watching TV}
At first, sitting down after a long day at work to watch TV may be the ideal way to unwind. However, the reason why TV may not make you happier is that it doesn’t engage your brain at all. By reading, even though it is a very enjoyable activity, it still keeps your brain active. As a result, it can give you a sense of accomplishment that makes you feel really good about what you do.
{Aroma therapy}
Some people like to be involved in this process every day, while others like to save it for when they feel stressed. Regardless of which option you choose, one of the nice things about boosting your mood through aromatherapy is that it’s pretty easy to get started. The only two things you need are essential oils like thyme and a Pax by Ploom vaporizer. While this isn’t the only model on the market, the Pax vaporizer is generally considered the best choice for aromatherapy beginners. Portability, great battery life and fast heating are just a few of them great feature from Pax by Ploom.
{Start Writing}
You don’t have to be an aspiring novelist to benefit from writing regularly. One of the reasons writing can make you happier is that it gives you an outlet to express how you really feel about things. Another benefit is that when you write something down it gives you the opportunity to really evaluate it. Over time, seeing all the good things in your life can really give you a deeper appreciation for them.
If you are interested in this option, one question you may have is where to write. To be honest, there isn’t really a “right” answer to that question. Instead, it all comes down to your personal preferences. For some people, a public blog written in their real name will be the right choice. For others, a personal blog or journal app on their phone will work best. And for others, using a traditional pen and notebook will provide the most value.
{Sweating}
Exercise has been scientific proven to increase happiness by releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins. Exercising until you break a sweat also has another positive effect that can make you feel better immediately after it’s done, as well as for a long time. Even when they don’t realize that exercising can improve their mood, most people are aware that it is good for their health. However, most people who know they should exercise never do.
The most common reason people don’t exercise is because they don’t like going to the gym. As a result, they can’t be motivated to go to the treadmill or heavy equipment. If you’re in the same position, you’ll be happy to know that sweating doesn’t have to involve the gym. Instead, find any physical activity that you enjoy and do it regularly. In fact, not hitting the gym means you’ll get the added benefit of getting some fresh air during your workout.
{Get Organized}
If you have too many things lying around the house or too many tasks on your to-do list, it’s time to start getting them done. Clearing mental and physical clutter from your life will give you clarity and make it easier to focus on the things you really care about.
Since they may not seem like big changes or additions to your daily life, it’s perfectly normal to be skeptical about the effectiveness of the options we’ve just discussed. However, since all of them are fairly low-commitment, there’s no reason not to try them out. Instead, taking a little time to see the impact it makes you feel is definitely worth it. And chances are, once you give them a chance, you’ll be surprised at the positive impact they have on your happiness!
Albert Frankenberg is a therapist who helps people suffering from depression. Albert prefers natural and holistic treatment compared to traditional medical treatment. i.e. taking antidepressants or other drugs. Albert firmly believed that people could live happier lives without the help of drugs.
