Mood Boosters to Turn You from Bitchy to Bubbly

Life itself can be crazy sometimes. Add to it all the doom and gloom in the news right now about the recession, unemployment, oil spills and more, and it can take it’s tole on even the optimists in the bunch. If you’ve been forced into frugality due to a job loss, it can be even more taxing and stressful. With that said I’ve got some quick pick-me-up tips and mood boosters guaranteed to leave you feeling a bit more relaxed, refreshed, and perhaps even have you seeing the sunny-side of things  as you go from bitchy to bubbly … even if it’s just for a while.

Take a Time-Out for Yourself

• Hide-away somewhere quiet even if it’s just for a few minutes. I prefer outside places where I can deep breathe and meditate or where there is an enjoyable view or water or birds or trees. Being one with nature melts the worries away.

Melt Your Worries Away

• Nothing beats a hot shower or a relaxing soak in a tub. While showers are more economical in terms of water usage, sometimes you just need a soak. Add some bath oil to moisturize dry skin, light a candle and just relax.

• Another mood booster is a good sweat-producing workout. It can get your endorphins going and naturally elevate your mood. It’s your bodies natural prozac.

Pamper Yourself for Pennies

• Rub a slice or two of cucumbers on wrinkles or problem areas for a few minutes. The phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of wrinkles.

• Paint your finger nails and toes a bright, cheery color. Do little things that make you feel better about yourself.

Eat More Power Foods

• If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon and need a quick pick me up, drop the soda and sugary snack and grab a cucumber. Cucumbers contain Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. They are great for a quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

• Remember to take your vitamins.

Hang with Friends

• Rid yourself of the pessimists in your life that bring you down (perhaps even more) and surround yourself with optimistic, happy people that like to have fun. Fun is infectious and when your around a bunch of people that are laughing you will likely join in the fun.  Add some upbeat music to the mix and let the dancing begin.

Be in an Attitude of Gratitude

• Take a few minutes right now and think of something that you are truly grateful for. In fact, every morning we should wake up and say thank you and think about what we are thankful for. Write it down if you must and really think about even the little things in your life that you appreciate and that put a smile on your face when you’re not so mired down that you forget about them. When you’re feeling blue, read them and be reminded of the good that you are grateful for. Be in an attitude of gratitude today and always.

Use Your Brain

• Challenge yourself with a crossword puzzle or word game. Read a good book. Play a game like Scrabble. Anything to clear the cobwebs away and get the wheels turning.

Pay it Forward Because Doing Good Feels Good

• It’s a simple thing — when you do something good for someone else, it makes you feel good. Plain and simple … just like that. Whether you help a stranger, do a favor for a friend, do a kind deed for a neighbor, practice random acts of kindness (I love these), or even simply pay a compliment — regardless of what you do, there is a little rush that happens inside of you.

• Regardless of your situation, there is always someone in this world worse off than you. Help a cause you care about because when you surround yourself with people who volunteer — who so selflessly give of themselves — there’s just this euphoric, super buzz that goes around and you can’t help but smile and feel good inside.

When All Else Fails …

• Have a glass of wine, watch a funny movie and laugh. And, if you’ve had too much wine you can eat some cucumber slices before going to bed to replenish your bodies essential nutrients and prevent a headache or hangover. These little cucs pack a punch of vitamins and electrolytes that will leave you feeling refreshed the next day.

What do you do to banish the blues?

Please share your tips, tricks and mood boosters so that together we can banish those bitchy blues and see life through some rose colored glasses.