5 ways to boost your mood with self-care

1: Make a “50 Gifts” gratitude list

Gratitude has been shown to increase physical health, self-esteem and positivity. Studies have shown that keeping a gratitude journal for 21 days can help to boost your mood, it can also assist with feelings of purpose and happiness.

Start with 5 points of gratefulness daily before you go to bed. Gratefulness can increase feelings of optimism. Think about how grateful you are to have your home, something in your home or about your home, kindness from a friend or a stranger, a chance happening or something that made you smile or gave you pleasure today, record even the small things. The more you focus on positivity the more positive things you will notice. As a one-off exercise set aside an hour or two and look back over your life for all the things you for which you are grateful.

Do a reverse bucket list, think of all the things you have accomplished so far, such as having a child, a good friendship, whether it is sky diving or learning a new skill…look for meaning outside material possessions.

“The grateful person has been able to overcome tendencies to take things for granted, to feel entitled to the benefits they have received, and to take sole credit for their advantages in life.” (Emmons R. A, Mishra A., Why Gratitude Enhances Well-Being: What we Know, What We Need to Know.”

2. Take a therapeutic bath

Taking a bath is not only relaxing it may help to boost your mood. According to a recent article in New Scientist regular late afternoon baths may assist in the fight against depression.  

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2183250-hot-baths-could-improve-depression-as-much-as-physical-exercise/

Try The Golden Hour Bath Infusion or Exhale Calming Bath Infusion.

3 Shirin Yoku

Shirin Yoku is a Japanese term that means forest bathing, or simply put taking a walk in the forest. I live near a rainforest and take regular walks there to relax, it is peaceful and refreshing. (See Rainforest: A Lovesong) https://kimberleypearson.com/creative/960/

Science backs this up. In a review of multiple studies conducted in 5 countries/regions scientists found that forest bathing improves physiological and psychological health; studies found that cortisol, adrenaline, blood pressure and heart rate were reduced.

https://environhealthprevmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12199-019-0822-8

4 Bibliotherapy

The term Bibliotherapy was coined in 1916 by a Christian minister, but is believed to have ancient roots. When the term was coined it meant to read books other than the Bible. Reading fiction takes you out of your own thought process and into the mind of the protagonist. Reading can improve self-esteem, empathy, depression and can help readers to think about and respect other perspectives.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/therapy-types/bibliotherapy#:~:text=Bibliotherapy%20is%20a%20therapeutic%20approach,support%20a%20patient's%20mental%20health.

5: Do something creative

Creative tasks can assist with boosting Alpha brainwaves which are beneficial for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Alpha waves can also be stimulated by daydreaming or meditation.

Create a recipe, write a poem, write a short story, paint or sketch, try candle making, sculpt, try working with resin or pottery, make some jewellery, blend some essential oils…find a creative task that you enjoy.