5 Quick Feel-Good Wins

Boost your mood in minutes.

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Get These 5 Mood-Boosters in the Rotation

In the spirit of promoting and celebrating small wins, I wanted to kick things off with a roundup of low-lift ideas that are sure to boost your mood. Let’s go.

1. Treat Yourself to a Fancy Solo Supper

Treating yourself to a beautiful meal from time to time really beats eating leftovers over the kitchen sink. Maybe this is already part of your regular routine, but even so, I encourage you to kick it up a notch. I am smitten with these Food 52 recipes designed for solo dining at home. I want to put all of them in my mouth immediately. Break out the flakey sea salt, fancy pepper mill, and cloth napkins. Light a candle. Put on your favorite playlist. Here’s one of mine.

Need a break from cooking? Bring a book, and take yourself out on a fancy solo date (maybe my favorite activity ever). Table for one? Yes, please.

2. Level Up Your Nightstand

I’ve seen a lot of nightstands in my day, and most of them could really use some love. Take five minutes to clear your nightstand surface, relocate all of the books you’re not actually reading, banish old coffee mugs, paperwork, and random items, and then add an object of beauty - a small piece of art, a framed photo, fresh flowers, or just your favorite journal and pen. The next time you rise and shine I promise you will feel so. much. better.

Currently on my nightstand: The Five Minute Journal, my favorite candle, this condiment-dish-turned ring holder, and a little bunch of fresh flowers.

3. Hide Your Phone

If you have no self control when it comes to screen time (like me), try banishing it from whatever room you are working in, relaxing in, trying to get important stuff done in, for at least for a few hours each day. Inconvenience will create friction. I am the most productive right when I wake up, so I do my best to pretend my phone doesn’t exist - at least from 7am-9am, which are my peak writing hours. Get gone, pesky distraction device!

4. Plan an Outfit You Love

Anyone else stuck in the throw-on-the-most-comfortable-thing rut? Especially since I am doing so much working from home these days, I often find myself wearing my sad, sad sweats, even though I know I feel better in - basically anything else. I’ve been doing my best to lay out an outfit I love (usually jeans and a blouse) the night before, so I don’t even have to think when I go to get dressed.

Wearing clothes that feel good and flatter can be an instant mood booster, and who really wants to pray they don’t run into anyone they know every time they leave the house?

5. Commit to A Low-Bar Goal Each Day

I love a tiny, achievable, feel-good goal. I prefer to set my mini goals the night before, before I’m technically in my day. Basically something I could accomplish that’s wildly low-lift but will feel good to check off the list. Here are some of my recent low-bar wins:

• Pick up trash in my neighborhood

• Make a green smoothie

• Read a book in the sun for 15-minutes

• Watch Top Chef with the kids before bed

Note that these goals are not anchored in productivity at all, but they do connect to my larger goals and values, like participating in community service, getting in some greens, reading, claiming time for rest, and spending relaxed time with my kids. The best part is these goals are so small and singular, that I can actually guarantee that I will make them happen, even during my busiest days work. Try it: Make a list of satisfying, low-lift wins and commit to trying one a day for the next week.

Got any low-lift mood boosters to share that you use in your life? Please share in the comments below.

Photography Credit: Vivian Johnson