11 Simple Ways to Boost Your Mood

Moods are such a fickle thing. From good to bad, and everything in between, moods are a general feeling that can be influenced by a variety of both internal and external experiences. Factors such as diet, health, lack of sleep, stress—even social interactions—can impact our state of mind. The occasional sour mood is considered normal. Frequent or long-term “bad” moods can lead to physical and mental health problems. In fact, persistent negative emotions are associated with health ailments such as elevated blood pressure and insomnia. Research also suggests moods can decrease serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine levels in our brain—which can ultimately lead to depression.¹ Fortunately for us, the pendulum swings both ways. There’s a plethora of low-to-no-cost, science-backed methods that could improve your mood. Let’s explore commonly used techniques—including natural solutions, personal lifestyle choices, and the use of CBD products for a positive effect on your mood.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Ever noticed how a good belly laugh can bring instant happiness? That’s because laughter is truly medicinal. The act of laughing elevates our intake of oxygen, which stimulates our vital organs—increasing the mood-boosting endorphins that help our nervous systems manage pain and stress.² Laughter can be effective in coping with stressful moments in life, and reduces the effect of milder forms of depression and anxiety.

Keep It Moving

Even a moderate amount of physical activity or exercise offers considerable mental and physical health benefits. Evidence strongly suggests that regular exercise is closely tied to alleviating symptoms of depression by helping increase serotonin levels in the brain.³ Serotonin is a hormone that regulates a host of functions including mood, memory, cognition, appetite, and sleep. Just like laughter, exercise is also thought to increase endorphins (which helps to limit the effects of stress on the brain).⁴ Regular exercise can bring us a sense of accomplishment, or personal pride—preventing us from sitting around and fixating on the negative. For best results, choose a fitness activity or routine you can enjoy like playing tennis, kicking a soccer ball around, or taking your beloved pup for a long walk.

Our THC-free CBD Energy Capsules are a convenient way to help you get the boost you need to keep things moving! If you are interested in CBD for energy, these capsules blend an invigorating combination of functional ingredients (such as cordyceps mushrooms, vitamin B6, L-theanine, and caffeine from green coffee beans) specifically chosen to support focus and vitality—helping put some pep back in your step.

Sound Therapy

No doubt you’ve experienced the emotional impact of music. A powerful song or soundtrack can bring on a full spectrum of feelings. Ongoing research provides an explanation of music’s impact on mood.⁵ It’s been noted to enhance neurochemical release of endorphins, which activates the pleasure center of the brain.⁶ In addition, music is thought to reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate depressed moods, and have a positive overall effect on mental and physical health.

Smile More (Scowl Less)

It’s not just your imagination—smiling really can lift your spirit! A recent study from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville provides insight into how our mind and body interact to influence our emotional experience.⁷ Just as scowling can bring on unpleasant feelings/emotions, smiling can have an opposite effect. Studies have suggested smiling can increase production of the “happy hormone,” better known as dopamine.⁸

Be Grateful

Nothing can sour our mood like focusing on negativity. Most of us have a tendency to dwell on negative, painful experiences rather than those that bring us joy.⁹ When we cultivate an attitude of gratitude it helps us embrace the positive and overcome those unpleasant moods. According to Harvard Health, gratitude has actually been associated with increased joy—it helps us to feel more positive emotionally, cherish pleasant experiences, cope with stress, and build healthier relationships.¹⁰ Gratitude journaling is a great way to reflect upon the positive and embrace our good fortune.¹¹

Healthy Eating Patterns

Many health experts agree that a Mediterranean diet can both enhance our physical well-being and lower risk of depression.¹²⁻¹³ It’s a regimen high in whole grains, veggies, fruits, nuts, fish, and legumes—with minimal red meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. It’s also rich in mood-lifting omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and flavor.

The Great Outdoors

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to recalibrate and boost your mood, try spending time outdoors. Soaking up sun is thought to reduce stress and anxiety. Sun exposure is vital to our health because it increases levels of vitamin D and boosts serotonin production.¹⁴ The effects of being in the open air is heightened when coupled with exercise and immersion in nature. Natural environments are associated with helping reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones.¹⁵

How CBD Can Help

Cannabidiol, most-commonly known as CBD, is thought to play an integral part in supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. A recent survey conducted by Project CBD indicates cannabidiol may be an effective antidepressant/anti-anxiety agent—with 68% of participants reporting decreased feelings of nervousness after using CBD.¹⁶ According to the survey, CBD was also effective at relieving panic attacks, alleviating mood swings, and reducing irritability, sadness and agitation. Whether consumed via capsule, oil tincture, applied topically, or infused into your favorite meals—there are countless ways CBD can be incorporated to improve your mood, as well as help you learn how to keep stress under control!

Deeper Relaxation

Massages offer numerous benefits. Not only can they soothe aching muscles, they help release tension and can relieve stress and anxiety. Massages are thought to increase your brain’s production of endorphins (which have the effect of boosting mood) while also reducing hormones linked with stress, anxiety, and depression.¹⁷ Leveraging essential oils, our USDA Certified Organic CBD Body + Massage Oil is the perfect full spectrum balm to improve your sense of well-being. It is specially formulated to elevate moments of relaxation—rejuvenating the body and mind.

Better Rest

It’s safe to say that most of us have experienced the effects of sleep deprivation on mood. The lack of sleep can make us feel pretty awful. The solution doesn’t lie solely with the quantity of nightly rest, it’s about the quality of sleep, as well. For years, a growing number of consumers have come to rely on CBD to support more restful nights. Our Sleep + Melatonin Capsules are crafted to do exactly that. Infused with functional ingredients (lemon balm and passion flower), our full spectrum capsules target restlessness and can help support your endeavor to establish healthy sleep hygiene. You may be wondering, what does sleep hygiene mean? It’s the accumulation of best practices implemented to help you wind down for the night. Certain habits that you choose to implement, such as CBD prior to bed, have the potential to help you achieve better rest, further supporting better sleep hygiene. Check out our line of Sleep Health products (featuring a potent cannabinoid blend of CBD, CBG, and CBN) to move towards getting the mood-boosting rest you deserve.

Pain Relief

The connection between persistent pain and mood is real. Physical discomfort can have a major influence on our emotional state, and is often correlated to depression and anxiety. CBD contains properties that have demonstrated the ability to provide support for discomfort tied to pain and inflammation. Our line of Pain Management & Recovery offerings includes an array of high potency products—like CBD Muscle Gel and Relief + Recovery CBD Balm. Both have been specially formulated to deliver sustained relief from muscle pain and inflammation and help you get back in action (hopefully, with a brighter mood)

If you’re ready to give the mood-boosting properties of CBD a try, check out our complete product lineup and explore effective, affordable, all-natural ways you can enhance your daily wellness routines.