Green Living Magazine · page 12
Elevating Your Mood For A Happier You
The holidays are over and the stress that normally accompanies them is behind us too. But sometimes a little melancholy lingers, leaving us feeling the blahs. So if you find yourself feeling a little, I don’t know…meh about things, then we have just the right tips for boosting your mood. This too shall pass Boosting your mood starts with patience.
Take a deep breath and remember it won’t last. The blues are a natural part of life, as the experts point out. “Everyone gets depressed,” says Dr. Carl Hammerschlag, a Paradise Valley psychiatrist and authority in the science of psychoneuroimmunology (mind, body, spirit medicine).
“Recognize it’s gonna pass and own what it is you are feeling.” By being realistic and accepting of yourself and your current mood, you can prevent making yourself feel worse, and shorten the time you feel down. Dr. Leslie Seppinni, a doctor of clinical psychology, agrees.
“Take the moment for what it is—a moment.” So rather than rushing to conclusions about your blahs, sit back and relax with a cup of tea or a good book, and remind yourself that it’s temporary. Music soothes the soul Try listening to some music that moves you—it’s another great way to change your emotions. By creating playlists of music that give you a positive connection, you can elevate your mood, according to Dr.
Joseph Cardillo, co-author of Your Playlist Can Change Your Life. Along with Galina Mindlin, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, and Don Durousseau, a cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Cardillo explains how music affects our moods and how to make playlists for a chemical-free “feel-good” prescription. “Music can affect your mood instantly,” says Dr.
Cardillo. The tempo of the music, the message of the lyrics, and the memories you have in connection with the song all play an important part on how the music can make you feel,” he says. Take good care of yourself Research has proven that taking care of your physical health is also paramount to mental health. This means getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising—all the things we know we should do and need to do when experiencing the blahs.
A simple way to add more oomph to your mood is munch on a handful of nuts. Omega-3s, found in foods like fish and walnuts, are essential fatty acids that our body cannot make on its own, and a key nutrient our body needs. According to an article in Scientific American, scientists are seeing a possible link to depressive behavior and diets low in omega-3s. The Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to improve heart health, may be the best way to eat for both body and mind health.
According to Deepak Chopra, co-founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, one recent large scale study suggests people who eat a Mediterranean diet were 30 percent less likely to suffer from depression. The findings are based on a five-year study of almost people in London who strictly ate a Mediterranean diet. Scientists think the foods found in this type of diet may work together to balance moods—rich omega-3 foods, olive oil, nuts, fatty fish, and high-antioxidant fresh vegetables and fruits are important nutrients in protecting against depression. Walk hike Getting outside and reconnecting with nature is one of the surest ways to boost your mood.
Even a brief 10- or 15-minute walk does wonders for the spirit. “Just being outside is a self-soothing environment,” says 10 greenliving May 2012 Health & Wellness Elevating Your Mood For A Happier You Comment on this article at Andrea Purcell, N. D. doctor , teacher , author , speaker Specializing in Natural Integrative Medicine askdrpurcell.
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