Ways to Boost Your Mood & Mental Clarity

These days, we’ve all been reminded of how uncertain life can be. During these uncertain times, it’s common to experience a stress overload and to feel unbalanced. Have you felt anxious? Like you just can’t think straight, maybe it feels like you’re in a rut that you can’t seem to escape?

You aren’t alone. COVID-19 has brought about heightened feelings of instability and insecurity for many of us, which have led to a domino effect of somberness and mental cloudiness.

Ways to Overcome:

  • Be active

    Now is a great time to do some at-home workouts to not only support your physical health, but to also strengthen your mental and emotional well-being. The Better Health Channel claims that “exercise can be just as effective as anti-depressants in treating mild-to-moderate depression.” It’s extremely beneficial to do an at-home exercise at the end of my day to help me unwind. Try taking an evening walk, doing HIIT workouts or yoga. Whatever your preference, finding what works for you and prioritizing exercise at home can help you get relief from your mental and emotional fatigue.

  • Eat Well 

    Your diet is especially important during these extended periods of seclusion. Food shares an intimate relationship with your physical, mental, and emotional welfare. A Harvard Health publication compares food to fuel, and argues that your brain can be damaged if you ingest anything other than premium fuel (nutritionally balanced food). Once you eat sugary and fatty foods, your body will begin to feel sluggish and then your mood and mental clarity will soon follow suit. Be sure to treat your body to a well-balanced diet. Need some inspiration? Take a look at our menu plans for great ideas for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner that won’t compromise your waistline or your mental health and mood.

  • Establish a Routine 

    Suddenly having your daily routine disrupted can be a hard pill to swallow during this time. It can be daunting to sit around at home all day doing nothing with no end in sight. If you’re working from home with a young child, it’s especially exasperating to balance work and taking care of  your child. Create a daily schedule that works for both you and your children. It’s important to be flexible with your schedule and to look for areas of improvement wherever possible. Simply establishing a routine around the house and make a major positive impact on your sense of productivity.

  • Prioritize Self Care 

    This is a big one! Self-care has many different faces and varies from person to person. Try spoiling yourself during this time at home by listening to your favorite music in the mornings. As you complete your morning routine, try things like burning candles throughout the day, using essential oils, and catching up on a few books that you couldn’t find the time to read before. Chances are, we’ll never have this much time at home again so take advantage of this. Find the time to do the things that you were always too busy to do. Read that book, watch that movie, try those recipes, and take some time to simply be still. It may take some time to find your self-care groove, but once found, it’s a breath of fresh air.

Find Your Routine

Exercise, proper diet, an established routine, and self-care are a few ways to work on prioritizing your mood and mental clarity as you self-quarantine at home. Find what works for you, and you could soon discover a newfound sense of peace and reassurance. Stay well and please, stay at home.