We want to help you boost your mood and feel better, now.

Some of our lives look different than what they did before this worldwide pandemic — whether we’re working from home for the first time, or simply unable to enjoy the usual mood-boosting activities we’ve always looked forward to, like going out to dinner, getting together with friends, or exploring nature at a state park. 

It’s not always easy to see the light and the end of the tunnel, which means it’s up to us to find joy in our current reality. Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true ways to accomplish this! 

Here are 3 proven mood-boosting activities:

Mood Booster #1: Exercise 

Working up a sweat is well-known to not only benefit your physical health, but your state of mind, too. 

Studies show that people who exercise regularly sleep better, feel more energetic throughout the day, have sharper memories and focus, and feel more positive in general about their lives. 

Even if you can’t go to the gym, you’ll find tons of home workouts online that can improve your mood and that require little to no equipment. 

If nothing else, you can always do some yoga, go for a run (or walk), jump rope, do some simple bodyweight exercises (think push-ups, squats, and lunges), or have a dance party right in your living room. 

Whatever gets your body moving and your heart pumping!

Mood Booster #2: Meditate 

Health experts agree that spending just a few minutes practicing mindfulness can decrease stress and increase feelings of well-being. 

If you’re new to meditation, start small. Try sitting quietly for two minutes, counting your breaths and paying attention to the sensation of the air filling and leaving your lungs. 

Your mind will wander, and that’s okay. When it happens, simply acknowledge it and gently return to your breath. 

Or try doing a body scan, starting with the bottom of your feet and traveling to the top of your head, noticing how every party of your body feels. Are you holding tension in your shoulders? Take notice. If you can, try to relax them. 

As you get comfortable, extend your sessions by a few more minutes to experience more mood-boosting benefits. 

Don’t worry about doing it wrong. There is no “right” way to meditate! But if you find that you’re not able to quiet your mind on your own, there are dozens of meditation apps (like Headspace, Calm, and Waking Up) and even free podcasts that can guide you. 

You’ll be a Zen master in no time!

Mood Booster #3: Journal

Journaling is another way to practice mindfulness and improve your mood. 

While it’s most effective when practiced daily, even journaling sporadically has been shown to reduce stress — especially if you focus on expressions of gratitude or emotional processing.

Research shows that journaling helps us organize our thoughts, which relieves stress and increases the quality of sleep, which in turn puts us in a better frame of mind. 

Gratitude journaling, specifically, has proven to be a mood-booster as it helps us focus on the things we are thankful for. 

The best part about journaling? You don’t have to spend hours doing it to reap the benefits! Check out these journaling tips for busy people. 

Try practicing at least one of these every day!