Five Simple Pick Me Up’s
There are some days when even the most positive among us doesn’t feel like it. We feel low on energy and optimism. Ideally, we may just want to curl back into bed or laze on the couch. It may be a bright sunny day but we just don’t feel it. Here are simple tips that you can try which should help in lifting your mood.
- Take a few deep breaths
That’s it ..sit down and take one breath in and then breathe out. Try lengthening your breath the second time. Attempt to do five of these. At first, it might seem like a struggle if you have never done this before. But even after three breaths, you will feel lighter and calmer. When you become anxious the brain releases cortisol or the “stress hormone”. When we take deep breaths, our heart rate slows down and more oxygen enters our bloodstream and gives the brain the signal to relax. It helps calm nerves and reduces stress. It also triggers the release of endorphins, the “feel good” chemical which also helps combat pain.
“One conscious breath in and out is meditation.”
— Eckhart Tolle, author & speaker
2. Burn an aromatic candle or smell some lavender oil
If you don’t have either of these, spray your favorite perfume on your wrists and behind your earlobes. Scents that we like evoke fond memories and bring an immediate sense of calm and happiness. Apparently, it is the most developed of our five senses. The reason must be because we have almost 1000 smell receptors while our eyes only have four light sensors. Smell is processed in the area of the brain that has a direct connection to the amygdala which processes strong emotions and pleasure is one of them. It is part of the brain’s limbic system that is responsible for overall behavioral responses.
“Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.”
— Helen Keller
3. Look at a photograph that brings you joy
Nowadays with our phones holding more photographs than the first computer, it should be fairly easy to access either a holiday pic or one with happy memories. Again going back in time to that event helps us spark nostalgia and take us back to that point in time. It should trigger some positive emotions and leave you feeling a little more optimistic.
“A photograph is the pause button of life.”
— Unknown
4. Make yourself a cuppa
Either a cup of tea or coffee or your preferred drink. If you don’t have one even a glass of water will do. The act of preparing the drink gets your mind to focus on another task rather than ruminating on whatever made you feel down in the first place.
“A cup of tea is a cup of peace.”
— Ken Cohen
5. Write down on a piece of paper three things you are grateful for
No matter what is going on in our lives, there are things we should always be grateful for. Sometimes in the humdrum of life, we forget to pause and be thankful for them. It doesn’t have to be a big long paragraph but just a few words bunched together or even single words. For example, it can be as simple as, I’m grateful for my house, my partner, and the meal I just ate. Of course, if you feel like elaborating go ahead and write your heart out.
“Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to grace.”
— Arianna Huffington
If you want to explore more about gratitude journaling, please see my article below.
https://sabenas14.medium.com/my-experiences-with-a-gratitude-jar-61687ee938e5
