3 Things To Do Right Now To Become Happier
In a slump? Feeling a bit on the depressed side? Here are three very simple and easy things you can do literally right now to make lift your mood!
Donate to a cause you are passionate about
We all have our share of problems, and struggles that we’ve been through. Or we have known how fortunate we have been in our lives. For me I feel I have been blessed with being able to afford an education, but also remember the struggle of working a full-time job and managing a full college course load. Giving to different charities related to helping others gain the basic human right of education is extremely important to me. I have a core belief that a more educated population is a net benefit to everyone within that society. Because of this I like to give to charities such as Hendrick Scholarship Foundation and Code to Inspire. It genuinely feels good knowing that you are helping someone have a better chance at growing and becoming an independent and contributing member of society. It feels good to be helped in a time of need, it feels even greater to pay it forward.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Take a moment and think of a stressful time or even a time where you were greatly helped. I’m sure there is a charity in relation to that moment in your life where someone could really use the help. It’ll only take a moment, and it will definitely lift not just yours, but someone else’s mood.
Think of someone who has wronged you, and forgive them
Yes yes, I know! It’s cornier than all the dad jokes in the world combined, but it’s true, forgiving people will actually make you feel better. Holding a grudge, or being upset with someone just causes added stress that you really don’t need. Forgiving someone else will free you of this stress and help make you a happier person.
If you find it hard to forgive someone though, here’s a method I like to use; just make an excuse for the other person’s bad behavior. Someone give you a nasty look? Maybe they just had something in their eye, or were squinting at something behind you. Did someone insult your sense of style? They probably are just really bad at giving constructive criticism. The excuses don’t have to be good, it just has to be good enough for you to excuse their bad behavior as their own personal short-comings. You’d forgive a clumsy person if they accidentally spilled something on you, why not pretend that these folks are socially clumsy and move on with your life. Even if someone was willfully trying to pull on over you, they don’t deserve a second thought. Best to just forgive and forget, and move on to more important things and people.
Go for a run!
Probably the most underrated things you can do to instantly boost your mood. You’ll improve your heart rate, burn some calories, and release a whole bunch of those feel good endorphins into your grey matter.
Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash
It doesn’t even need to be a long run. 10 mins is more than enough to get your blood pumping. A good method to just get started is to pick 3 songs with that you enjoy listening to, and start running. Once you get to the last song start running back and then cool down with a walk.
If you like this method try adding on a new song every week to increase the run time. You’ll be a running machine in no time.
Between donating your time or money, forgiving those who might have wronged us, or by just simply running, I hope that your day has taken a turn for the better, and you are one step closer to a happier and healthier you.
