5 minutes to a happier you!

Become a happier you in just five minutes with these five simple steps.

Need to turn around a hellish day at work or brighten up a dreadful afternoon? Try one of these proven tips to lift your mood and make you smile in minutes.

Inhale a calming scent: A fragrant candle or oil diffuser may be all you need to calm down during a deadline-packed day. In an Austrian study, researchers wafted scents of oranges and lavender before participants. Both groups felt less anxious, more positive, and calmer compared to those who were exposed no fragrance at all.

Munch on a mood-lifting snack: Stash walnuts in your desk drawer or sneak salmon into your salad. Packed with omega-3 fats, they make people less prone to depression, and easier to get along with, research from the University of Pittsburgh shows. Levels of omega-3 fats in blood tests of over 100 people showed those with the highest omega-3 blood levels scored up to 58 per cent better.

Take a walk down memory lane: Breaking out the baby albums or pics from your favourite vacation will make you feel happier than a square of chocolate would. Research from the United Kingdom’s Open University confirmed that compared to eating chocolate, sipping wine, watching TV, listening to music, looking at personal photos elevated moods most.

Let the sunshine in: Boost your mood in seconds by letting sunlight stream in when you first wake up. A study of more than 450 women found that those who got the most light, particularly in the morning, reported better moods and sleep. Got more time? Eat breakfast near a window that gets plenty of daylight, and put exercise equipment near a bright view.

Sit-up straight: Body alignment and slumping negatively impacts on mood and energy levels. Scientists from San Francisco University have discovered a connection between depression and posture, vindicating generations of nagging teachers telling students to “Sit up straight!

https://www.mindfood.com/article/5-minutes-to-a-happier-you/