5 Ways to Improve Your Mood by Ella Dorsey

We all have those days where we lack motivation, feel lazy, or just are not in the mood for anything. Here are some ways to trick your mind and body out of it.

Why do we feel this way?

There are many things that contribute to this feeling from personal to believe it or not environmental. When's the last time you got some fresh air? The stagnant energy in our very own homes can put a damper on our moods. Below are a few ways to clear your mind, body, and spirit from that mood and lift your energy! Over the next few weeks, I will be breaking down what to do and the benefits of doing them.

Easy mood-boosting ideas.

1. Smile and laugh

2. Jump around

3. Smell certain scents

4. Eat some dark chocolate

5. Get. Some. Sun.

Pancakes and bacon

Let's do an exercise. Close your eyes and tell me what smells come to mind that make you happy? For me, it's the smell of pancakes and bacon. Although I haven't eaten either one in years, that memory takes me back to waking up when I was a little girl to my parents cooking for us.

Let's break down what smell memory is. The sense of smell is closely linked with memory, probably more so than any of our other senses. Those with full olfactory (smelling) function may be able to think of smells that evoke particular memories. Basically, your sense of smell is located right next to the area of your brain that stores your emotions and memories. Think of some smells that make you feel warm and fuzzy, from the smell of fresh cookies or apple pie to the salt in the air by the beach. Think of those happy thoughts that are associated with that smell and hold onto them whenever you're feeling a bit down.