Throughout the winter, you can find yourself getting in a slump. Let's face it, we've all been there. Here are 4 ways to quickly boost your mood and make it through those rough winter nights.
1. Getting off your phone
Some people swear that they’ve seen a ghost, or felt a presence. I didn’t believe in any of that baloney until I had an experience myself: I heard a clear “DING” and vibration that most certainly came from my phone, and when I went to check the notification…it wasn’t there.
From the moment you wake up to when you pull the covers around you for the night, your phone seems to be right beside you. It can be so difficult to put down your phone- a few hours offline can feel like years when everyone’s constantly updating their social media. Hell, with my luck, I’d put my phone down for a second and would probably miss the second coming of Christ. A social media profile is designed to reflect the ideal facets of someone’s life and can’t always be taken at face value. Constantly flipping between apps will inevitably lend to comparing your life to your friends’, and that'll only breed negativity.
2. Find healthier alternatives to junk foods
I don’t know about you, but for me, a bad mood calls for some junk food. I tend to gravitate towards the pantry; mindlessly making my way through bags of snacks that have little in terms of nutritional value.
It can be easy to give into the junk food cravings that a sour mood seems to bring about. Binging can give your mood a temporary lift, but a more long term solution is rooted in healthier food choices. Combating the bad habit is as simple as thinking precautionarily; that is, loading up on healthy snacks instead. What makes the pantry so damn attractive is that the food inside requires little to no preparation. Thankfully, healthy snack foods are a craze now, and stores like Costco provide plenty of healthier grab and go options that you won’t have to feel guilty about later.
3. Surround yourself with the people that love you
It’s always been about being able to differentiate between who I want and who I need. Sometimes I’ll convince myself that I should be spending time with a certain group of people. Forcing myself to interact in a way that’s not natural and organic, however, only puts me in a worse mood.
It satisfies the soul to spend time with people with whom you don’t always have to explain your actions. It seems to be natural to desire isolation when you’re upset, but surrounding yourself with loved ones can always provide a needed distraction.
4. Look good, feel good
Too often a bad mood would be accompanied by a bad hair day, bags under my eyes, and a case of relentless acne. It’s easy to fall into a hole of feeling bad and subconsciously thinking you need to look the “part.”
Even if it’s not what would immediately come to mind when you’re down in the dumps, taking the time to pamper yourself with a long shower or bath and the following with time devoted to picking out a favorite outfit and grooming yourself can really do wonders with your mood. Sometimes all we need is some TLC (tender loving care).
