5 Small Changes To Make To Improve Your Mood and Help You Spring Out of a Rut
Do you struggle to get yourself out of bed in the mornings? You might be in a rut.
Maybe you are trying to cope with a lot in your life right now. Most of us are. I am not going to lie. The world is in peril, and things are difficult. It’s easy to lose hope or to give up trying.
I get it.
That said, I realized something this morning. Most of us do noble things every day. We feed our families. We care for our friends. We work hard. We volunteer for causes we believe in – all in an attempt to make life better for all. And we forget to take care of ourselves in the process.
We fall into a rut and can’t see the forest for the trees.
What we need is a small change to spring on renewal and joy again. I live in the northern hemisphere, so now in springtime, flowers and tree leaves are starting to bud. The birds are chiming every morning with their loud concertos. Life goes on after the winter, whether we are ready or not.
Did you know life is sometimes one decision away from complete fulfillment? One decision.
Think about it. What would have happened if you had not met that person who changed your life? What if you had not signed up for that class? What if you had not chatted with that stranger? What if you had not followed that still, small voice?
We overthink, make excuses, believe we will not be heard, and accept lies about people and the world.
We tell ourselves we are not good enough, that we don’t deserve what others have, or that we will never succeed. We fail before we even try.
I’ve been there, and I’ve learned that one new, small step can inspire positive changes.
Here are five simple changes you can make to get out of a rut and improve your life.
This sounds simple, but many people do not do this, including me. It means you might have to awaken five or ten minutes earlier than usual, but it’s worth it.
Go to your front or back porch before you grab your coffee or tea and listen. Be thankful you awakened to live another marvelous day on this rock.
Make time to take a walk. Watch the sun rise. You will feel cool air on your face that helps you awaken. Notice the seasonal changes outside.
Watch the squirrels running up the tree trunk. Feel the sun on your cheeks. Don’t think about anything. Just sit or walk and watch.
Do you live in the city? Watch people strolling to and fro. Listen to the sounds all around you. Notice what you normally don’t notice. This helps you become more mindful and present.
If you can, exercise in whatever way feels best to you.
Exercising in the morning gives you mental clarity, improves your attention span, boosts your metabolism, improves sleep, and gives you a feeling of rejuvenation. It trains your brain to think positive thoughts.
I am committing to walking in the mornings and watching the sunrise.
“When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.” – John Lennon
2. Try something different than your normal routine after work
Do you binge-watch or play games after work every night? Is it satisfying?
How about taking a walk instead? Most of us live busy lives and rarely notice the beauty all around us. Stop whatever you are doing and for just five minutes notice something about the spring outside.
How about eating outside instead of inside? Reading a book? Trying a new hobby? Even if you only have five or ten minutes to spare, use that time for yourself in a new way.
Changing one thing will inspire you to change more and get out of a rut.
“Some people live 90 years, some people live one year 90 times.” – Mary Morrissey
Have you had that lamp in the corner of the living room for over two decades? Is it dusty? Is it time to replace it?
We are so bogged down with life’s responsibilities that sometimes we neglect our abodes, which are reflections of who we are.
In a short time, you can tidy up a small room, open windows to let in fresh air, make your bed, clean the sink, or clear clutter. If you work from home, set a timer for no more than 15 minutes on a break and throw away that lamp or dust your bedroom furniture.
You will be taking a much-needed break from work, moving your body, and resetting your living space.
This boosts motivation and keeps your home fresh and clean.
“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.” -John Dryden
4. Be intentional about socializing
As mostly introverted, I’m not the type of person who needs a lot of socialization. You might be the same, and that’s okay.
Sometimes I am tempted to wait for others to invite me out, text me, or chat. This is the plight of the introvert: we don’t want to be bothered, but then we complain about not having enough quality friendships.
Sometimes, however, we need to step out of our comfort zones to steer our lives in a different direction and get out of our ruts.
Studies show that socializing improves your mood immediately because it triggers the release of neurotransmitters like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, all of which lower stress hormones and trigger feel-good ones. Even if you are introverted, being around others once in a while will lift your spirits.
Text someone you haven’t been in contact with for a long time to say hello. If you live alone, go to a coffee shop to be around other people. You don’t have to go every night. Just plan on one night a week.
Join a group or club that shares your interests. You never know who you might meet!
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
Too much social media is toxic. I am guilty of spending too much time on all kinds of platforms and neglecting other areas of my life, as many of us are.
Social media has been proven to affect mental health, foster anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem through constant social comparison through curated algorithms designed for engagement and not quality.
These platforms also give a false sense of what life is about. They make it easy for people to refrain from stepping outside of their comfort zones and experiencing real human connections.
Spend less time on these social apps to save your mind and create a better life.
“If you don’t have time to do what matters, stop doing things that don’t. – Courtney Carver
Whatever you choose to do will feel awkward at first. Start with only one thing and do it every day until it becomes a habit. Then pick another one and do the same.
Sometimes all you need is a small push to get you out of a rut, and it does not take long for life to improve. You will gain perspective, appreciate things money can’t buy, and add joy to your life.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Vilma, aka Vilms, is a writer, storyteller, essayist, freelance content writer, blogger, and gardening enthusiast near the Rockies. She writes about the human experience, culture, identity, wellness, trauma recovery, personal growth, life lessons, vegan living, great books, and other timely topics.
