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Posted in Essential Oil Basics by Rocky Mountain Oils

How You Move Can Affect Your Mood

Did you know that how you move can have an affect on your mood? Science suggests that your body movements can impact your moods, and changing how you walk or sit can actually make you feel happier. Below are helpful tips to help you change your body movements and improve your mood.

Sit Up Straight

Research shows that sitting straight up in your chair will help give you confidence in your own thoughts. If you are are waiting for a big meeting or interview to begin, don’t hunch over your phone. Sit straight, stretch out, and take up as much room as possible.

Benefits of Sitting Up Straight:

  • Increases feelings of power
  • Increases action orientation
  • Decreases feelings of stress and anxiety

Laugh More

You have probably heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Well, this is actually true. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed. Next time you are feeling stressed, turn on your favorite comedy and enjoy a hearty laugh!

Benefits of Laughing:

  • Relaxes muscles
  • Helps decrease stress hormones and blood pressure
  • Enhances mood and promotes overall well-being

Act Happy

Research shows that acting like you are happy can actually improve your mood. Something as simple as changing the way you walk can have a positive impact on your state of mind. A recent study found that deliberately walking like you feel good can help improve your mood. When you’re walking, swing your arms, push your shoulders back, and put a spring in your step. Keeping a smile on your face can also have an impact on your mood. Participants in a study who smiled and expressed positive facial expressions had increased positive moods.

Benefits of Acting Happy:

  • Improved mood
  • A greater sense of belonging
  • Improved memory

Keep Moving

Walk, bike, swim - exercise helps you feel happier. Why? When you exercise, your body produces endorphins, which are natural mood boosters that enhance feelings of optimism and satisfaction. Exercise also reduces the activity of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which cause feelings of anxiety and tension. Participants in a study showed that those who exercised 30 minutes a day were better able to overcome sadness and other difficult emotions. Regular exercise can help you attain a happier state of mind.

Benefits of Exercise:

  • Relieves feelings of stress and tension
  • Increases mental energy
  • Enhances well-being through the release of endorphins

Move it Outside

Ecotherapy is the idea of connecting to nature to aid in your well-being. Research shows that just 5 minutes of exercise in a park, nature trail, or a green space can help improve mental health. Exercising in mother nature helps foster feelings of revitalization and positive engagement while decreasing feelings of tension.

Benefits of Nature:

  • Energizes body and mind
  • Helps decrease feelings of stress and sadness
  • Promotes overall feelings of well-being

Implement these simple changes into your life and you will notice the difference. Just from sitting up straight or adding a little pep to your step you will increase your confidence, boost your overall well-being and decrease stress and tension. Try these changes out and let us know how it works for you!