Fiber Fool

This is a week where I probably have more to learn than share. But, share I will… The things I should be doing more of lately…

1. Spend time with animals! The antics of Emma and Brandon make me laugh daily at least once and certainly cause me to smile many more times. Plus, petting animals has been shown to lower anxiety and blood pressure!

2. Get some exercise, be it a brisk walk outdoors or a more formal exercise class. Exercise is said to improve the feel-good chemicals in your brain and help fight against depression.

3. Take some time to pamper yourself! One of my favorites is to take a long, hot bath with some escapist fiction and homemade bath and body products. If I can squeeze in enough time, a mani/pedi is a nice way to cap that off.

4. Spend some time with friends. This one can be especially helpful for me since I work from home and have very little people interaction on an average weekday. If my brain is like a hamster on a wheel an adult beverage might be a good addition to the mix.

5. Do something for someone else. It doesn’t need to be world changing, but getting outside yourself to do something nice for someone else can be a good thing. It can be as simple as bringing a meal to a friend who has been especially busy.

6. Get outdoors! Natural light can do wonders, especially if you work in a florescent cubical farm. Or, if like me you are trying to keep the house as cool as possible so are sitting around in the dark with all the blinds and curtains shut as tight as possible. As a bonus, you can combine it with #2 above and #7 below for a 3-in-1 special!

7. Be present and mindful of your surroundings. For me, that means having camera in hand and taking time to capture the little details. The process of analyzing possible shots, the right angle and exposure and lighting can really help take my mind off other things. Then when I return home I can continue by processing the photos and maybe playing with a new technique, filter or action to try for a different look.

8. Spend some time with children. Like animals, they are almost assuredly going to make you smile at the very least and quite likely laugh. Being with them also gives you permission to be a little silly and let go. All great mood lifters!

9. Call, text, or IM a far away friend or family member. Maybe you need to unload, or maybe just sharing some old stories about past antics will make you laugh and lift your mood.

10. Treat yourself to a nice, bright bouquet of flowers. There is no need to wait for someone else to buy you a bouquet (that can be a really long wait sometimes). This time of year Farmer’s Markets often have inexpensive and beautiful flower mixes, and if you arrive near the end of the market you often get an even better deal. Plus, you get the added satisfaction of supporting a local grower rather than someone half way around the world!

What is your favorite mood lifting activity? Check out the other links at Carole’s or sign-up there to take part in future weeks.