We are constantly exposed to various factors of stress and negative thoughts, which you can get rid of only by constantly seeking ways to improve your mood. Good is given to us with some effort of will, so everything is simple: make conscious efforts and begin to feel better. Here are some quick methods that do not require preparation and do not take much time.
1
Think fast
Experiments conducted by Princeton University showed that accelerating thinking leads to better mood. Slow thinking can lead to feelings of sadness.
There are several theories as to why this is so:
People associate quick thinking with a good mood, so if they think quickly, they thus deceive their brains by telling them that they should be happy.
The speed of thinking can increase the production of dopamine, which is associated with a sense of reward and pleasure.
Quick thoughts distract a person from reflection and self-reflection, which sometimes make him unhappy.
In order to learn how to think quickly, do the following:
Use brainstorming. For example, give yourself 10 minutes to come up with 100 ways to escape from prison.
Watch the video in fast mode.
Read the book with great speed.
If you know the poem, read it very quickly.
2
Make yourself smile
We quote the Buddhist monk Tikh Nhatkhan: "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes a smile can be a source of your joy."
Ph.D. James Laird, who spent his entire professional life studying the relationship between behavior and emotions, agrees with Nhatkhan. He conducted a simple experiment, dividing the participants into two groups: one was asked to smile, the other was forced to frown.
Then both groups were shown cartoons. The group, asked to smile, found the cartoons are funnier. It was concluded that simply an act of a smile activates the centers of happiness in the brain. So, smile:
Activates the release of neuropeptides that fight stress.
It releases neurotransmitters of dopamine and endorphins.
Activates the production of serotonin.
3
Drink green tea
If something upsets you and needs to calm down quickly, put the kettle on and make yourself a cup of green tea. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, researcher, nutrition expert and author of the book "Beat Sugar Addiction NOW!" Explains that after drinking green tea, you will calm down. The drink triggers chemical reactions in the body and contributes to this, thanks to which the brain gets the ability to think more clearly. Accordingly, the mood improves.
4
Pamper yourself with dark chocolate
Dark chocolate, which contains a lot of cocoa - is not only delicious, but also improves the mood. It contains phenylethylamine, a compound that creates a "brain noise" that is like falling in love. Also, chocolate is a source of tryptophan, a precursor of the amino acid serotonin, a neurotransmitter of happiness and a positive mood.
5
Meditate
Meditation stimulates the pituitary and hypothalamus, releasing endorphins and increasing the production of serotonin, dopamine and melatonin - all this is associated with relaxation and happiness.
6
Ask yourself: "What's going well?"
Founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman considers one of the best tools for improving the mood exercise "What's going well?". How can I do it? It's simple, first think at the end of the day and find the three positive things that happened to you today. Think about them and clearly reproduce them in your mind. Feel all the positive emotions associated with these events.
Do this always when your mood is at zero. Negative thoughts and emotions are born unconsciously, so replace them with positive ones. Be aware.
We wish you good luck!