Your emotional state affects you on many levels, including your attitude, focus, decisions, and how you act and react to things.
Emotions start in the brain and are reactions to our thoughts, which are usually caused by an event we have experienced or witnessed. This reaction then creates a physiological response in our body. After the emotion has played out its short 90-second lifecycle, it’s then you who chooses to stay in the emotional loop and let the mood drag on. You determine how you then feel.
So, I want you to do a quick check-in with yourself now and notice how you are feeling? Are you in a positive, negative, or indifferent mood? What emotions have you been experiencing on a day to day basis over the past few months? You may have noticed more negative, or new emotions during Covid, such as anxiety, frustration, boredom. Have you been stuck in these states for a longer period of time? Are they serving you well or do you want to be in a better state?
The good news is that you have the ability to change your mood instantly, and I have some ways to show you just how to achieve that. Mastering the below skills means making the most out of your day instead of letting your mood determine it.
Know that you can be happier and more successful with these 10 strategies…..
Wear a smile for 2 minutes and your brain will start to release 'happy chemicals'. Dopamine is a feel-good neurotransmitter that makes us feel pleasure and satisfaction. And serotonin, known as the 'happy hormone', reduces stress.
It is hard to maintain anger, frustration, sadness, or other negative emotions when you're wearing a cheesy grin.
Let's get those cheeks aching and teeth showing by:
I challenge you to wear a smile while you finish reading this article and notice how good you start to feel?
Let's take smiling to another level and turn it into laughter. A small giggle will suffice but why not try for a rip-roaring, good ole belly laugh.
When you laugh the change in your body is instantaneous and, again, your brain releases dopamine to lift your mood, plus you oxygenate your body which boosts your physical performance, immune system, reduces stress, and burns more fat; how healthy is that!
Aim to laugh every day:
When you sing or even hum, you lift your mood and the music shifts your body to a higher vibrational level.
As we know, music is good for the soul and also the general well-being as it is said to slow down bad genes that cause brain degeneration!
So, blast out the tunes, get the hairbrush out and sing along with all your might, it doesn’t matter if you’re not a good singer just aim to enjoy yourself - you've got a good scientific excuse if anyone complains!
Either way, your emotional state will be positively impacted.
If you haven't already been dancing along to point number 3, then now is the time to get grooving. Moving your body is one of the best ways to improve your state.
Your thoughts create your emotions and are reflected in your body. Therefore, if you move your body in a different way then the way you feel (in your body) will change which will ultimately affect your mood.
Moving your body gets your endorphins pumping, and can result in feeling light-headed (a free high), reduces anxiety, and acts as pain relief.
Even just noticing how you're holding your body can help. Is your jaw clenched and your shoulders hunched or nearly touching your ears? Part your lips, let your jaw hang loose, and drop your shoulders to relax and release tension.
There are plenty of ways to move your body:
Moving to a different location from your usual setting can make you feel vastly different. Change rooms, sit somewhere you don't normally choose, or look out the window (or just open the curtains if you normally have these closed all day).
Take one step further and go outside, get some fresh air, appreciate nature to get a dose of vitamin D - which is a great repellent for feeling blue. Just getting some natural light will keep your body clock in sync, help with your sleep patterns, boost metabolism, and reduce depression. Find some green space and enjoy the fresh smells of nature to boost your frame of mind, make an excuse to walk to the local shop.
Take your mind off matters and boost your mood by spending time with others.
Shocking your system by doing something out of character will certainly take your mind off things, I'm sure you can be creative with this one:
What can you challenge yourself to do?
Keeping in good health and not overdoing things is important for your well being.
Staying stuck in an emotional state isn't going to help us and certainly isn't fun for those around us. How can you put a positive spin on life?
This is my favourite method of them all. Stand in your power, choose a pose like a superhero, and hold it for 2 minutes. This releases testosterone into your bloodstream which improves your mood. And, it's a great way to boost your confidence, so stand in your Power Pose before anything that makes you nervous, such as interviews or public speaking.
Are you still wearing a smile from point number 1 on the list? How much better do you feel already? And how easy was it to achieve?
Our emotions are present in every waking moment. It's noting whether you are in the optimal emotional state for the current situation or even if that state is serving you well.
Knowing that you now have the ability to change your mood, putting this into practice means that you have the power to bring more success and happiness into your life.
So, go forth, take charge of your emotional state, and go get your happy on!
Let Life In & Be You
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Becky English is a mindset coach and hypnotist serving clients globally online. If you're curious about life coaching you can claim a complimentary call to see if this is the right fit for you. Book in here
ABN 95 450 808 586