7 simple ways to lift your mood
Bookmark these ideas for the next time you're in a funk
Plan something to look forward to. I’ve penned this idea first, as it’s something I consistently do being a futuristic thinker. There's much joy in anticipation of something good to come. Whether it's a mini holiday, a catch-up with a friend, or even planning a self-love day in advance to do absolutely nothing, pencilling ideas into your calendar will be sure to keep you excited and motivated.
Go for a ten-minute walk first thing in the morning. We all have ten minutes up our sleeve, and being outside in the fresh air is the best way to feel clear, invigorated and ready to start the day. Or if you live close to water, a quick dip will have the same (if not more) refreshing effect.
Arrange some flowers in a vase. Treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers to brighten your day, and by extension, the days to come. If you're feeling particularly inspired, you might like to wander around your neighbourhood and forage the flowers for yourself along the way.
Feel invigorated with colour. Painting an area in your home, or even a piece of furniture - can improve your daily mood. Last year, I painted a wall in each room of our home (all various colours) and I love the feeling of a different feeling in each space. If you don't want to commit to such a change, painting your nails or throwing on a brightly coloured dress will give you the same sense of well-being and brightness.
Give your skin some tender-loving care. I like to place little tubes of lovely hand or body cream around the house so that I’m always reminded to love my skin. Moisturising can often be considered usually a quick and thoughtless task, however, I encourage you to turn it into a slow and soothing experience by being more mindful the next time you apply your favourite pretty-smelling lotion. The skin, after all, is the largest organ of our body. Please look after it!
Romanticise your meal. Rather than simply plonking your food on a plate, take a little extra time to consider your presentation and setting. Light a candle. Pull out some fancy napkins. Decorate your dish with edible flowers. It's the small touches that make all the difference! Maybe you can use this tip for your dinner tonight?
Do something you've been putting off. Now, this might seem counterintuitive, but the accomplishment you experience from crossing something off your to-do list far outweighs the heavy feeling that comes with procrastinating. This can be as simple as cleaning the clutter on top of your fridge or cancelling no-longer-used subscriptions. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later!
I’ll be back in your inbox this weekend with a delicious, summery chicken recipe for all paid subscribers. I’ve been working on this one for a little while, and it’s an absolute winner. I can’t wait to share it with you! Eleanor xxx