Seven Surprising Tips on Shifting Our Mood
How to Alter Our Brain Chemistry
- Feel it. Really feel it.
Go deep with whatever is there––rage, anxiety, existential angst, silliness––go as far as you can handle and then…
- Jump like your life depends on it.
Jump up and shake and wiggle until your pulse and breathing rate let you know you’re alive. Not like exercise––more about shaking up your nervous system and then…
- Make some noise. Any noise.
Make some kind of sound–even bark like a dog! Even if you think you can’t sing, pretend you’re an Opera singer and let it wail. The sound vibrations do wonders for your nervous system. If you fear your neighbors, best do this outside or in the woods.
- Write like your pen’s on fire.
Grab a pen and paper or your journal. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Now write. Anything. Gibberish counts. No editing. No spelling checks. Just empty your brain onto the page like it’s your junk drawer. Even if you have no clue what you’re writing, keep on.
- Surrender to gravity.
Lie on the floor or ground (preferably where it’s not too cold or hard) and give over completely. Let your body feel heavy. Breathe slowly and deeply. Try 4-count box breathing: in for 4, pause for 4, out for 4, pause for 4.
- Repeat steps 1–5.
Yep, do it all again. You might feel totally different the second time. Or not. Both are fine. No way to get it wrong. - Laugh.
Tell yourself a joke and if you don’t know one, here’s mine.
Why does the elephant wear her sunglasses? And the answer is so she won’t be recognized. It’s not very funny but it gets your facial muscles moving. That boosts more blood flow and oxygen to your brain and helps improve your mood.
If you want another joke, write to me, and I will send you one. I love jokes.