Feeling down? You don’t need money or fancy procedures to start feeling better. These are three things you can do to increase your happiness today.
Get Sunlight
If you live in a tropical or Mediterranean climate, a simple boost to your mental health could be getting outside while the sun is out. A study on 49 participants found that working in a windowed office increases productivity and sleep quality compared to working in a windowless office. Another study analyzed information from over 15,000 people and found that increased sunlight exposure during the winter can help fight depression. Getting sun can be a quick and easy fix to your sadness in warm climates, but for those in colder areas, here are two activities you can do, even in the winter.
Positive Affirmation
Something that anyone can do is positive affirmation. You might view positive affirmation as silly and maybe even useless. However, being nice to yourself has been found to improve mental health. Research shows that positive affirmation can lead to increased physical activity. These affirmations also led to the subjects having more pleasant outlooks on their future. Positivity shouldn’t just be found in your own thoughts or words, but also in what you listen to.
Listen to Music
It can be easy to listen to negative music when feeling angry or sad. Although this may make you feel better initially, try to transition into happier music. Just like what you affirm to yourself, what you hear from outside sources, specifically music, can affect your mood. A study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse investigated the effects of music on 97 students. The researchers found that listening to uplifting and prosocial music results in positive mood changes, while listening to antisocial music leads to negative mood changes.
Your Time to Shine
With summer finally here, it is the perfect time to try these three easy steps. Willis Health nominates you to put on some encouraging songs and go for a walk during the daytime. From this quick walk you should receive all of the positive benefits written in this article: increased productivity, sleep quality, physical activity, and positivity. If this article helps improve your mental health, leave a comment below to let Willis Health know you want more like this.