How to improve your mood

If I were to ask a young child to choose between a piece of cake or peace of mind, you can bet your bottom dollar they’d choose the piece of cake. And they wouldn’t bother to ask whether it was a dark chocolate mousse topped with fresh raspberry coulis warmed just right or a moist vanilla sponge oozing with the most decadent matcha-maple icing. 

In fact, the cake could very well be the cheapest, dryest bundt in the entire universe and the choice would still be very clear—because there is no choice to be made. 

It would be a #pieceofcake 🍰

Now ask this exact question to a group of adults, and I can guarantee the responses will vary between one of two options:

1. Peace of mind 
2. Both peace of mind & piece of cake (my choice right here ✋) 

But why is that? What happens along the way that makes us adults evolve (or regress) from play by simply choosing the piece of cake?

The answer: Disturbance.

Whether we accept it or not, at some point in life, something happened that hijacked our natural, peaceful state. And one by one, we find true value in acquiring peace of mind because we know what it means to lose it. (Insert anything from work stress and sickness to heartbreak, trauma, and failed careers right here).

So how to reduce stress and improve your mood when life keeps throwing sucker punches? All the while, families still need to be raised. Bills need to be paid. And grief will have us all gripping our breath at some point. 

💡 Perhaps the answer to improving your mood can’t be found in another ‘to-do’ list. You already know that you should reduce your screen time, get regular exercise, eat healthier, and get enough sleep each night. (Am I right?).

💡 Perhaps the answer is actually an ‘un-do’ list. An un-do the web of stress that keeps you from feeling like the real, vibrant YOU. But how do you let go of all the things that keep getting thrown your way and find happiness again?

The secret is in your breath… 

(Sounds bananas? Keep reading!)

How to track your mood

You might be surprised to learn that the rhythm of your breath can reveal the state of every emotion. 

Just think of your natural breathing pattern when you’re feeling:

Angry    ➡️ rapid, fiery breath

Scared   ➡️ shallow, quick breath

Happy   ➡️ smooth, full breath

Why does this matter? Well, cultivating this level of breath awareness allows you to drop into the present moment and check in in real-time. If you’re not sure about how you’re feeling (the mind just loves playing games with us, doesn’t it?), you can always inspect how you’re breathing to get clued in.

And the best part? Science has shown that you can consciously use your breath to reprogram how you’re feeling to boost happiness and well-being. This means that you can have a say over your mind and emotions in any situation. Just imagine the difference it’ll make when you’re feeling low!

Boss got you angry? 
There’s a breath for that.

Kids got you tired? 
There’s a breath for that.

Subway got you anxious? 
There’s a breath for that, too.

Curious to know more? Geek out with this fascinating 10-minute TedX talk by Dr. Emma Seppälä, featuring the world-renowned SKY Breath Meditation technique (my favorite— its benefits are unreal!):

And get a taste of the power of your breath with the Art of Living’s free 6-day breathing journey:

 

Sure, there are also mood tracker apps, mood charts, and even mood rings that can help track your feelings (hello, 90s kids 👋!). But here’s my two cents: Nature has bestowed us with a precious gift called the breath. And the breath has the power to not only help us understand how we feel, but it can also help us change how we feel so we can live optimally. 

So why settle for anything else? A calm, energized mind and body is your birthright.

Now, let’s unpack another important source of energy to help lift your mood…

Foods that improve your mood

The foods we eat—and the way we eat—can also make a huge difference in how we feel throughout the day. Think of a time when you 100% committed to overeating. How did you feel afterwards? 

Food-coma hits, mood drops ⏬

Now think of a time when you skipped a meal. 

Hanger hits, mood drops again ⏬

Eating the right amount of food matters, and the quality of our food matters, too. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid processed, overly cooked foods and foods that are difficult to digest. When our digestive system gets overwhelmed, our prana (aka lifeforce energy) gets depleted, and in turn, our mood dwindles along with it.

On the contrary, foods that are high in prana can really boost our mood. Mood-enhancing foods include fresh, lightly cooked fruits and vegetables, wholesome grains, and (thankfully) even some dark chocolate! Ayurvedic diet tips here

But this is really a catch-22 because when your mood is low, it can be so easy to turn towards sugary, high-calorie foods. Your mood affects your food, and your food affects your mood. So what to do? 

Let’s dial it back to the importance of your b _ e a _ _ 😎

Best ways to improve your mood

We can spend a lifetime in poor company, weeks without eating, and days without sleeping…but how long can we go without breathing? 

Minutes! 

This is how important your breath is. 

Your breath is a vital energy source that can not only drastically improve your mood but it can also untangle the web of stress that prevents you from living with the same joy you once knew... when life was still a piece of cake 🍰

In my 20+ years of exploring breathwork, meditation, and yoga practices, the BEST breathing technique I ever learned was SKY Breath Meditation (aka Sudarshan Kriya), taught in the Art of Living Part 1 Course. The rhythmical breathing exercise raised my energy levels so high that I was able to release my greatest challenges and traumas. 

I truly feel that I’ve been able to return to my childlike nature and live a life with more joy and serenity thanks to this groundbreaking technique. And I’m not alone! It’s being practiced by millions worldwide across 182 countries, and I’ve heard countless stories of deep transformation.

For those evidence-seekers out there, SKY has been extensively researched (check it out). The technique is backed by science and provides a wide spectrum of benefits, from stress and anxiety reduction to better sleep and immune function. Here’s a taster!

If you’re here to boost your mood, acts of kindness, a short walk in nature, quality time with loved ones, singing your favorite song, and good sleep are all great for a pick me up. But I tell you, your breath is the Michelin star mood-boosting experience—it will have a positive impact on all aspects of your life.

Enjoy! Register for the Art of Living Part 1 Course Today