9 Easy Tips to Help You Relax and Improve Your Mood Instantly

There is no switch you can hit and instantly get happy, we get that. However, science has come a long way and has pinpointed some surprising and even bizarre things that can be used to instantly elevate your mood. Get the gloomy clouds out of the way and look at the brighter side of things.

Bright Side is here to present you with 12 scientifically proven ways that can make you feel delightful in a second.

1. Place an ice cube on the top of your neck.

Let’s go with a cool start... literally. Placing an ice cube on that exact point on your neck is an ancient Chinese technique called Feng Fu. It is believed to help with a plethora of problems including headaches, lack of sleep, cellulite, and mood improvement. The science literature mainly sites its healing powers for local problems.

2. Color your bath walls with crayons as you are taking a bath.

This helps you combine two proven stress-relieving techniques and practice your painting skills as well, which is a plus. According to research, coloring reduces stress because it helps us refocus our attention. Not only that but scientists found out that regular bathing helps regulate anxiety. So if you want to be on the latest stress relief TikTok trends, try this.

3. Smell some fresh-cut grass.

3. Mmm, the wonderful smell of joy... and fresh-cut grass, but they’re almost the same. The smell of fresh-cut grass is shown to work wonders in terms of mood-boosting and stress relief. There are even attempts to make sprays that capture this magic.

4. Relax your tongue in your mouth.

If you want to cut off the negative internal dialogue for a second, try simply relaxing your tongue in your mouth for a while. Psychiatrists agree that this can cut off the vicious cycle of running thoughts in your head and can help you clear your mind.

5. Stand up straight with your shoulders back.

You can call it “fake it till you make it” but having a good posture really makes you feel like a winner. Research shows that having an upright posture can make you feel more alert and enthusiastic, feel less fearful, and have higher self-esteem. It can even help you feel more determined when you are facing an issue.

6. Put some salt on your tongue.

Don’t be salty because the next one is a gem. For people who suffer from heavy waves of anxiety, it seems that simply putting a pinch of salt on their tongue can help the situation tremendously. This engages your senses and distracts you from focusing on the thing you are panicking about. However, some individuals might experience shortness of breath due to the acid production that the salt stimulates so beware.

7. Play in the soil

If you want to improve your mood sometimes you have to get your hand dirty... literally. Researchers from the UK found out that a “friendly” bacteria commonly found in soil prompted brain cells to produce the chemical serotonin, having a similar effect as antidepressants. Just don’t forget to wash your hands afterward.

8. Do this trick with your hands.

Do this with us. Place your hands on your chest in this butterfly shape. Now start gently but rhythmically taping with one hand followed by the other. This technique is called butterfly tapping and it is a self-soothing skill to relax the body and calm the mind. It works by activating our parasympathetic nervous system and it might be exactly what you need the next time you are feeling panicky or anxious.

9. Eat some chocolate

Some sweets for that sweet life. Chocolate in particular seems to have some very potent mood-boosting abilities. The antioxidant in chocolate (resveratrol) brews a concoction of endorphins and serotonin — the chemicals that make you happy and content.

What works for you when you are feeling down and gloomy? Tell us in a comment.