Mood Boosters for HSPs by Julie Bjelland, LMFT
Intentionally boosting your mood can have several important benefits for your overall well-being and quality of life. Here are some reasons why it is important:
Mental health: Your mood plays a significant role in your mental health. By intentionally boosting your mood, you can improve your emotional state and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. A positive mood can help you maintain a healthier mindset and cope better with life's challenges.
Productivity and performance: When you're in a positive mood, you're more likely to feel motivated, focused, and energized. This can lead to increased productivity and improved performance in various aspects of your life, such as work, studies, and personal projects. By intentionally boosting your mood, you set yourself up for success and enhance your ability to achieve your goals.
Relationships and social interactions: Your mood has a direct impact on your interactions with others. When you're in a positive mood, you're more likely to be approachable, friendly, and empathetic. This can strengthen your relationships, foster better communication, and enhance your social connections. Intentionally boosting your mood can help you create more positive and fulfilling social interactions.
Physical health: Research suggests that there is a strong connection between mental and physical health. When you intentionally boost your mood, you may experience physical benefits such as reduced stress levels, improved sleep, increased immune function, and better overall health. A positive mood can contribute to a healthier lifestyle, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and self-care practices.
Resilience and coping skills: Life is full of ups and downs, and intentionally boosting your mood can help you develop resilience and effective coping strategies. When you have a positive mindset, you're better equipped to face challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and find solutions to problems. It can enhance your ability to adapt and navigate through difficult situations with greater ease.
Emotional well-being and happiness: Ultimately, intentionally boosting your mood can contribute to your emotional well-being and overall happiness. By consciously focusing on positive experiences, practicing gratitude, engaging in activities you enjoy, and surrounding yourself with uplifting influences, you create a foundation for a happier and more fulfilling life.
Remember that intentionally boosting your mood doesn't mean ignoring or suppressing negative emotions. It's important to acknowledge and address them as well. However, actively cultivating a positive mood can bring numerous benefits and improve your overall quality of life.
I asked a group of HSPs in my Sensitive Empowerment Community (SEC) what helps boost their mood, and here are their responses:
Anything to do with animals makes me feel better. That’s one reason I’ve been enjoying volunteering at a cat rescue. Walks with my dog and seeing him happy. Petting my cats and listening to them purr. Being outside in nature. Spending time with my sons and friends. Being in water. As a high sensation seeking HSP, I have to experience new things, or my mood will drop. It can certainly be complicated as an introverted HSP that works from home! I have to make myself get out into the world and find that balance in both ways. Not too much to be overstimulated and not too little to not have enough! I found I have to be really conscious of this balance.
Cuddling or playing with my 2 cats, eating yummy ice cream (I ignore the guilt and consider it mental health therapy!), watching a funny show or movie. A good laugh is great therapy! Being with friends, watching animal videos, being outdoors in nature and planting plants.
Laughing is huge for me and can instantly re-charge my batteries. Listening to uplifting or really beautiful, moving music also lifts my mood. Sitting totally still with a cozy blanket, warm lemon balm tea and one of my romantic comedy movies with no scary scenes and a "happily ever after" ending always makes my heart feel happy. Spending time in nature taking photos to share on the SEC is also a go-to for happiness
Sitting outside and listening to the birds and nature around me. A good cup of hot tea. Watching my cats and dogs play and chase each other, they help me laugh so much. Snuggling with my kitties as they purr or having my pup sleeping soundly while pressed against me. Sitting with my love while we watch something and he rubs my feet. Reading a good book or poetry. Looking at and absorbing art that I find beautiful.
Hmmm I like this question! Very good to reflect on what these things are for us and to be deliberate to make them a part of our days.
Mood boosters for me would be enjoying time outdoors in a natural setting. Exploring with my little ones and noticing the awe inspiring things all around us. Reading stories with my kids. Listening to groovy music I enjoy. Taking a shower. Dressing nicely &/doing my makeup. Playing with our dog. Taking her for a walk. Being spontaneous. Allowing room for spontaneity I think is very important for me. Room for creativity and not just routine and “have to dos”. Creative things like crafts, cooking, baking, gardening, painting, drawing, etc etc. sometimes just sitting back and watching my kids play at a playground or farm or something like that. To just observe them having a fun time ( & sometimes join in too!)
Being a barefoot outside!! Going for nature adventures.Walking in nature and enjoying the beauty of spring! Saw a mama and papa duck today with their 5 ducklings in my walk today. Plus butterflies, hummingbirds and hawks. So special. It makes me feel loved.
Nature walks definitely do it for me, along with meditating. Hugs from my family and friends are great too! Thanks to all who shared, it is fun to read what everyone does to feel good!
Everything that makes me feel connected with the world and at home in my body. Going for a run in the forest, smelling beautiful flowers or scented candles, hot showers, animals, cuddling my favorite human, playing piano.
Anything to do with nature, but right now specifically the Cornell University Red Tail hawks Big Red and Arthur and their new little ones-precious!!! Music that gives me happy feet, walks in nature with our Golden, Qi Gong, a sunny warm day after all the rain the past 6 months:)
Reading a good book, music, chocolate chip cookies, being by the ocean, museums/aquariums, audiobooks and diamond painting.
My top two mood boosters are playing music, and swimming in the ocean. I have to add hugs in there too. There is something about a good hug, that just feels so nourishing to my body and soul
For me it’s all the elements of nature - water, earth, air and fire but I am also big on hugs and spontaneous adventures like others. Nothing picks me up like diving under a wave in clear, clean salt water or hand watering my garden and potted plants outside. I can lift a bad mood by digging in the soil and planting a baby plant or hiking through a forest or walking barefoot on dewy grass or sand. I love the feel of the sunshine on my skin first thing in the morning and looking at the sun’s magnificence set against the big, blue sky. A subtle breeze carrying fragrant aromas or watching my favourite sulphur crested cockatoos fly across my house squawking with happiness. I love camping out with family in nature and sitting around a camp fire and bonding without the distraction of modern technology. I love essential oil soy candles and taking a bubble bath in a candle lit room with music playing. I agree about putting on some makeup and getting dressed up for an outing - even getting my hair cut and coloured gives me a big lift. I don’t have one at the moment but I have in the past been very lifted on a bad day by the unconditional love that a pet has given me - they understand us hsps so well.
I like using scent to boost my mood . It can mellow me out or perk me up or make me feel comfy depending what the scent is! I also like to take walks and verbalize what I’m grateful for as I stroll along.
Watching Ted Lasso. Walking in nature. Doing qigong. Playing with my kitty & watching her chase the laser. Drawing. Broadway musicals, especially Hamilton. Reviewing my finances & seeing how I’m doing gives me such a boost. Texting with my sweet pals. Watching Steven Colbert. Eating a delicious meal. Bubble baths. Taking care of my plants. Painting.
The Kelly Clarkson show in the morning is a must do for me. She is so positive and genuine, not to mention extremely talented. Her producers find uplifting good news stories about "Rad" humans doing remarkable things in the world.
Essential oils of peppermint and orange (used separately) can be perker uppers. Peppermint is known for its use as a "wake up" scent. Orange elevates mood. If you like either of those scents, give them a try. One drop on a tissue waved under your nose is all it takes. Because it's a spray (as opposed to a roller) I also like to spray it around myself (careful of the eye area) and wave it into my aura! Then I imagine it doing its job and assisting with clearing any stale energy that I am choosing to release. Or too, any time a room in the house feels in need of a lift I'll give it a few spritz! And I know of folks putting a couple drops of oils on a cotton ball and tucking it in the air vent of thier car for scent. I bet this idea would work just as well with the spray.
Doing some yogic breathing exercises can really either calm me down or energize me. We can control a lot of things just through our breath. I also really enjoy the methodical rhythm of yogic chanting. Again, some of the mantras can have profound effects.
What works for you? What do you do that improves your mood? Share in the comments below!
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Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is an HSP Psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, and founder of the exceptionally ranked Sensitive Empowerment Community. Julie's HSP Podcast is among the top 5% of the most shared and followed worldwide. Her online courses and free resources have helped millions of HSPs reduce the challenges of living with sensitivity, and her greatest joy lies in helping HSPs discover their significant value to the world. Julie's brain training program has proven to reduce anxiety within the first two weeks. Explore all her resources at JulieBjelland.com