Article by Fiora Touliatou
We are going through a challenging period that forces us to face unpredictable situations beyond our control. It is normal to be stressed and anxious. However, there are many things that we can control and, if we focus on them, we can lift our mood and energy levels. So be careful to stick to the good ones that lift your mood! It is in your hand, you can do it!
First of all, let’s explore some common bad habits that deplete our energy levels and drop our mood. We have all done them and it is very tempting to keep doing them:
- Overthinking and constant worrying: they take us nowhere while they deprive us of peace and joy from the present moment.
- Inconsistent sleeping patterns: they cause imbalance to our nervous system which can lead to depression.
- Eating junk and processed food: we may temporarily think that they relieve us of stress (comfort food) but all the toxins they they contain are actually increasing it.
- Frequent/excess consumption of alcohol or substances: although we temporarily feel better, once their effect wears off we feel even worse. Furthermore, their harmful toxins deplete our body at all levels.
- Negative people: they drain our energy and drop our mood.
- Watching negative news: they bring us despair and anxiety.
- Social media: their excessive use absorbs us and we end up wasting a lot of time. Furthermore, many times we are tempted to read negative posts or even get involved in debates and arguments with people we don’t even know.
The first step is to acknowledge the bad habits, realise that we fall for them and break the cycle. The second step is to replace them with good ones. Here is a suggested list with good habits that will help you deal with stress as they lift your mood and increase your energy levels:
- Drink plenty of water!
- Eat a balanced healthy and nutritious diet!
- Schedule your bedtime routine: try to go to bed early so you can wake up early.
- Enjoy time with animals: they give us love and we need it!
- Spend time in nature: walk in a park, beach, forest, whatever you have available near you. Nature has healing properties; she absorbs our negative energy and fills us with positive!
- Exercise, dance, yoga: movement generally increases our endorphins, the hormones of happiness!
- Switch off from everything and listen to your favourite music. Create a space where you won’t be disturbed and dedicate this time to yourself.
- Connect and communicate with others, especially positive people. Isolation fills us with despair while feeling part of a group/community gives us meaning and motivation.
- Watch positive news, inspiring podcasts, positive articles, self-help books: feed your mind with positivity!
Photo by Public Domain Pictures from Pexels
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