Mini Mood Boosters

This week I’m sharing activities that can serve as mini mood boosters. If you are having a bad day,

trying one of these activities can help give you the boost you need to get you back on track. They are

also useful if you are going through something that is stressful as a way to help take care of yourself

despite the circumstances.

Another quick way to boost feelings of happiness is through Affirmations. Much like intentional

gratitude that I shared about a few weeks ago, there is science that backs up the connection of

affirmations and good feelings. A study that used a functional MRI showed that affirmations activate

the reward and self processing centers of the brain. These centers help with pain reduction and the

ability to buffer stress.

Here are some tips for creating an affirmation that works for you:

Future or growth oriented affirmations are associated with increased ability to bounce back from

challenges and stressful events. In fact the study using the functional MRI saw evidence that

supports this.

Choose an affirmation based on what matters to you. Identify a few of your values that have meaning

to you. Take time to explore this value and how you embody it. Journal how you may express this

as an affirmation. Practice and let it sink in.