Are you taking a page from a beloved children’s book and having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? Or perhaps you’re simply battling the blahs? That’s totally normal. 

But things can go south quickly when a bad mood is left to fester. Sometimes it’s wise to set it aside temporarily to focus on something that helps quell the blues. 

Below, you’ll find ten ideas to try when your mood is flagging. Bonus: Most of them don’t cost a dime!

      1. Take a walk outside

A 2015 study compared the brain activity of people who walked for 90 minutes in either an urban or natural setting. They discovered that those who went on a nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that is overactive during depression and stress.

       2. Dance it out

Turn up your go-to jam and bust a move – the sillier, the better. TikTok has tons of fun dances to try if you need some inspiration. Dancing offers a bounty of health benefits. Not only is it a form of active movement—but it also results in your body producing endorphins and reducing cortisol. What’s your go-to happy dance?

      3. Lower your shoulders

Tension makes them creep up toward your ears. Lower them you’ll instantly feel more relaxed!

      4. Talk to a stranger

Despite what your mom told you, talking to strangers can be good for you. Research suggests simple social engagement – smiling or a brief conversation – makes you feel more upbeat. So go ahead, chat up that barista when placing your triple shot morning latte order. 

      5. Take a social media hiatus.

Research shows that spending time on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media rabbit holes makes us feel yucky about ourselves, our lives, and pretty much everything else. Pretty please, turn off your notifications and take a teeny social media hiatus, would you?

      6. Connect with your inner Marie Kondo

There’s a reason the queen of tidying up has had such an impact on so many of us. Studies show that just seeing clutter can cause cortisol spikes, the stress hormone. Simply cleaning off your work desk can help you clear your mind when you’re feeling overwhelmed by a looming project deadline. 

      7. Write down what (or who) you are grateful for

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley found that activities such as keeping a gratitude journal or writing gratitude letters are linked to increased happiness and mood. 

      8. Laugh your blues away 

Laughter is proven to increase dopamine, a chemical that boosts mood. It also oxygenates our bodies and cools down our stress-response systems, producing an overall calm, happy feeling. 

      9. Pet a dog or cat. 

A Washington State University study suggests that petting a dog or cat for as little as 10 minutes produced a major reduction in cortisol, the stress hormone.  

      10. Take care of your gut.

The gut/brain axis is real, people! Zenwise® offers supplements that support gut health and body + brain well-being.

And remember, when the blues won’t vamoose, it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional. Unfortunately, too many of us don’t prioritize good mental health.

And if you have questions about mood-boosting digestive supplements in the Zenwise® product line, we’ve got your back. Our customer service team is ready can help at support@zenwise.com or M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at (800) 940-1972.

Zenwise. Then Eat.®