6 Ways to Lift the Cloud
Gloomy moods. Sure, they’ve inspired some of the best in world music and literature – but prolonged melancholy is a miserable experience. Here are a few ways to break up those clouds we all find ourselves under from time to time.
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What’s Bugging You? This is the bottom line. The world has become far too good at quick-fixing the symptoms of unhappiness with chemicals, possessions and other methods of making other people rich. The best cure? Tackle the problem. Even the tiniest step to resolving it will lift your spirits. Happy Is as Happy Looks. Mind and body – two sides of one coin. So how do you behave when you’re happy? Straight back? Quick, enthusiastic movements? Try it – your mood might follow. (Conversely: slouching may dampen your spirits).
Get Your Blood Pumping. Whether the mythical "endorphin rush" exists or not, it’s clear that exercise lifts our mood. Nothing excessive – just a brisk walk, breaking a sweat in the garden…or a romp between the sheets. (Who says exercise isn’t fun?)
What’s in Your Stomach? If you’re like me, carb-heavy foods make you sluggish and easily drag your mood down after the initial energy burst. Try eating oily fish: it contains omega-3 acids which are believed to boost your emotional control.
Unbottle Your Mood. Rant. Bend the ear of a willing friend, or scribble a page of outrage. Find somewhere remote and scream your head off. Let it go.
Fill your Lungs. In yoga it’s called pranayama – the art of breathing well. How does your breathing change the way you feel? Here’s a guide.
The last resort? Chocolate!
Image: Chaparral
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5 Comments
July 7th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I always found that yoga helped me boost my moods. Not just doing a session when I’m feeling glum, but maintaining a regular yoga practice as a general way of finding emotional balance.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Cutting back on caffeine and taking SAMe or St. John’s Wort always helps me.
And nothing beats a hike with a friend.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I’m partial to the early morning 5 to 7 mile run. But all these suggestions are excellent (except the caffeine reducing strategy – I LOVE my espresso).
December 19th, 2008 at 8:14 am
With winter upon us, we often find ourselves sinking into seasonal depression. I have found that, especially during the holidays, doing random acts of kindness lifts my spirits. Try donating gently used items to a shelter, compliment a stranger, bake some treats for a time-strapped mom (or dad). The delight in the eyes of the recipients lifts my spirits ten-fold.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:29 am
What a great idea, Cheryl.
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