7 Ways to Boost Your Mood for Free
Post Date: Mar 13, 2024
Behavioral Health
When you’re feeling down, it’s not always easy to know how to cheer yourself up. If you or someone you know needs emergency help in a crisis, you can always call 911 or reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
But sometimes you’re just feeling a little blue. And in a world of financial stress when money can be tight, it can seem even harder to brighten your mood. But having a good mood doesn’t always come with a big price tag. The next time you’re not feeling 100%, try one of these seven ways to boost your mood for free.
Go outside
There are so many studies about the benefits of time outside. Exposure to natural light when you first wake up can help regulate your circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep at night. And time in nature has been shown to have positive benefits across cultures and scientific studies. Get outside, and see how you feel.
Get in some movement
In spite of all the high-tech workout classes and high-tech gear out there, moving your body doesn’t have to be expensive. And it can have big benefits for your state of mind. Go on a walk, check out free exercise classes at the library, dance in your kitchen, or do a YouTube workout video in your living room. The ways you can move your body for free are virtually endless, and so are the benefits.
Make laughter a priority
Laughter can cost as little as watching a comedy video or having a fun conversation with a friend. But the benefits of a hearty laugh go a long way towards improving your mood. Growing evidence suggests that laughter can have both psychological and physiological benefits. And the best part: laughter is free.
Step away from screens
One Yale study found a connection between social media use and mental health concerns in youth. And you may have felt from personal experience that heavy, tired feeling that comes from spending too much time mindlessly scrolling on your phone. Step away and give yourself a break to unplug, put your phone on airplane mode, and focus on the real world in front of you. It can help boost your mood.
Listen to your favorite music
Music has a powerful ability to make us feel good. Put on some of your favorite songs when you’re feeling down, and see if you notice a boost to your mood. If you’re not feeling great, you might even want to make a playlist to help you feel better next time, too.
Do something you love
You know what brings you the most joy. Maybe it’s cooking a meal with your spouse or taking your kids to the park. Maybe it’s just kicking back and watching an episode of your favorite show, knitting a scarf, or taking a walk. Find those things you love to do, and prioritize them when your mood is low. Those small moments can give you just as much of a boost as the big, expensive activities.
Talk with people you love
Finding connection and community can do a lot for your mental health. And when you’re feeling down, it’s easy to isolate yourself, sometimes without even realizing it. Make an effort to connect with the people you love in your life.
When you’re going through a hard time, sometimes you need to seek out help from the professionals. CHP promises to offer resourceful, one-stop health clinics, welcoming all regardless of ability to pay and without judgment. And with behavioral health services, you can get access to care no matter what you’re going through. Reach out to a clinic in Bozeman, Belgrade or Livingston—or West Yellowstone Behavioral Health—to make an appointment.
