Shutterstock
Most of us deal with stress and anxiety on a daily basis, but there’s no doubt everything’s been amplified due to the COVID-19 pandemic we’re all living through.
People are losing jobs, others have been forced to cancel big life events, and it can feel like a never-ending cycle of disappointment and frustration. While we’re all just trying to get from one day to the next, it’s important to focus on things that make us feel better inside and out.
We all need to make sure we’re staying healthy and safe from COVID-19, but it is just as vital that we’re taking time to keep our mental health in check. Here are a few easy ways to improve your mood on a daily basis, no matter what it is you might be going through.
This sounds obvious, but exercise is proven to improve people’s moods. As Elle Woods said in Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t!”
Take Elle’s advice and get in a little bit of movement every day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Whether that’s taking a walk around the block, riding your bike, doing a yoga session, or hopping into a pool, exercise will get you out of your own head.
We’re all being told to stay at home and keep a distance from people, which is of course necessary, but it can also feel very isolating. In order to keep yourself from feeling lonely, it’s important to make sure to connect with a friend or family member every day.
If you’re fortunate enough to be able to safely visit a loved one, make sure to do it! But, if you live far away from the people you love, hop on the phone and give them a call.
Social media is an easy distraction to turn to when life gets a little boring, but it’s not always great for your mental health. We all know people only share the best parts of their lives on social media, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us.
If you find yourself spending too much time on your phone, take a day and totally disconnect. Don’t check Instagram, Twitter, or any social media platform and instead use that time to do something more relaxing, like reading or spending time with family.
When all else fails, turn on your favorite song and dance it out. Music will make you feel better, and shaking out all the anxiety may make you feel better too. At the end of the day, we’re all just doing the best we can!
