10 Ways to Boost Your Mood, Naturally

I used to think that the goal in life was to always be happy. Someone who, every day, woke up and felt light and balanced, who tuned into the birds singing, was grateful for everything and went to bed with a smile on her face, only to repeat the exact way of thinking and being the very next day.

If you feel like I did, let me tell you something. That is one nasty trap that you want to run from as quick as you can, because it’s impossible to achieve and it will only make you feel like crap.

After many years of trying and failing miserably, I’ve learnt that you have to feel all emotions, even the rubbish ones like envy and anxiety. There is a great saying: ‘You can’t have the sunshine without the rain.’

When people used to say that to me, I would smile and secretly think: ‘Riiiighhttt??’, hoping they were ok taking their happy pills.

But now, I believe it to be true.

In this Psychology Today article, the author, David B. Feldman Ph.D, explains this mindset beautifully and even champions negative emotions as they can make our lives better. Take Guilt for example. As David says, Guilt can motivate us to make amends when we’ve done something wrong. The same goes for Anger. When we show anger in certain situations, sometimes it helps us to get what we want.

While this is all well and good, I find when I’m in the thick of an emotional low, it feels exhausting. I feel like I want to hide away, and, in the past, I found it very hard to shift my mindset.

Very hard.

But you can train your body to flow through different moods and emotions just that little bit better, and I want to show you how, below.

Here are 10 easy ways to boost your mood naturally

1. Notice the little joys in your life

Grab a notebook and jot down a few things you’re thankful for every day—big or small. Did your favorite song come on the radio? Did your coffee taste heavenly this morning? Whatever it is, giving it a shoutout can instantly make you feel a little brighter. Btw, I know some people will be skeptical of this (I know I used to be). Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I bet you will struggle to name five at first, but even going through this process, at the end you will be thinking much more abundantly and feel better.

2. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Sometimes, when I am in a bad place mentally, the last thing I want to do is go to the gym and exercise. The only thing I am capable of lifting is my ice cream spoon to my mouth! Which is why I love dancing in my house. It’s exercise and moving around to your favorite song (pick a goodie from your childhood) will instantly give you a little pick-me-up.

3. Get outside and observe nature

Nature is like the ultimate mood magician. Whether it’s a walk in the park, sitting under a big shady tree, or just soaking up some sunshine, the outdoors has a way of calming nerves and lifting spirits.

4. Snack Smart, Feel Great

Let’s face it—hangry is a real mood. Keep your energy steady with foods that love your brain, like berries, nuts, and whole grains. Your mood will thank you later (and so will your taste buds). Again, sometimes I find that when I’m low-mood, all I want is chocolate biscuits. From personal experience I would say these are fine, in moderation. I have never known a time where they have picked my mood up for a long period of time though. They do instantly when in my mouth but the crash that comes after is just not worth it.

5. Breathe In, Chill Out

When you’re not feeling 100%, this can also impact how your body feels. You’ll often tense up, maybe sit for long periods of time, or do shallow breathing, not allowing your body to get the oxygen it needs to feel alert and awake. Instead, take a pause and try some deep breathing or quick meditation. Think of it as hitting the reset button for your mind. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and let the peace roll in.

6. Call Your Bestie

Feeling down? Ring up that one friend who always knows how to make you laugh. Spending time with people you love is an instant pick-me-up, whether it’s over coffee, a phone call, or meme-sharing marathons. Last Friday I met up with a friend and when she asked me how I was, I had to hold the tears back. I was not in any fit state mentally to feel good. But by the end of, maybe, 1.5hrs together, I felt so great. Friends are really amazing tonics.

7. Fall in love with your hobbies again

Unleash your inner Picasso! Paint, knit, bake, or try anything creative. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just have fun and let your imagination run wild. Also, if you don’t have any craft-style hobbies, think of what makes you happy and go do it. One thing I love for example is making a really, really good coffee, with frothy milk. If I am feeling low-mood, I will go into my kitchen and give myself a 5-minute-solid-window to make that coffee perfect. It sounds crazy but afterwards I feel so proud.

8. Snooze Your Way to Happiness

Sleep is like a magic recharge for your mood. If you’re running low on zzz’s, everything feels harder. Set up a comfy sleeping space, ditch the screens before bed, and curl up for a solid 7-9 hours of blissful rest. Another thing you can do is take a power nap. Sometimes when I’m at work I feel tired which then impacts my mood and imposter syndrome comes. To help, I take a 20 min power nap and it works brilliantly. I feel much more alert afterwards and my mood shifts. 

9. Laugh at Something Childish

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? Like really laughed. For me it was yesterday when I remembered the ‘hand-scooped’ ice cream video on Instagram. Seeing a guy create an ice-cream pop up and when someone comes to ask for ice-cream, he scoops, shapes and serves with his hands and they politely decline. It was next level hilarious. There is something very special about getting lost in Reels on social media sometimes. Yes, you can go down a big black hole for ours, but it also helps you laugh and increases endorphins.

10. Sprinkle Kindness Everywhere

Helping someone else doesn’t just make them happy—it works wonders for you too. Hold the door open for someone, pay for the next coffee in line, or just flash a smile to a stranger. Small acts of kindness go a long way. Sometimes though, I am just not in the mood for this, so instead I watch videos on Social Media of people rescuing animals or helping others, and I get the same feeling.

Don’t forget, it’s ok to have off days

Life’s emotional journey is kind of like a roller coaster—there are ups, downs, and maybe even a few loop-de-loops. Boosting your mood naturally isn’t about pretending everything’s perfect; it’s about rolling with the punches and using simple tricks to find joy in the little things.

Most importantly, remember, it’s okay to have off days. The key is knowing that brighter ones are always around the corner. Now go ahead and try a few of these tips—you’ve got this, and let me know how you are brightening your day and mood in the comments section.

See you soon,

Mashed Banana x