Need an emotional (and even physical) lift? You only need a few minutes to make a big difference in how you feel.
7 Ways To Lift Your Spirits In 5 Minutes Or Less
Breathe
Sit up straight, shoulders back but relaxed. Clear your mind. Close your eyes. Relax. Take a slow breath in through your nose. Slowly exhale through your mouth, completely pushing the air out of your lungs until you can’t exhale any more. Take another slow, deep breath through your nose. This time completely fills your lungs letting your chest and tummy expand. Exhale slowly. Repeat. Keep a relaxed rhythm to your breathing.
Benefits include:
- Releases tension
- Elevates mood
- Oxygenates the blood
- Strengthens the lungs
- Increases Energy
- Strengthens internal muscles and stomach muscles
- Releases endorphins
- Release of toxins by increasing the functionality of the lymphatic system
Hum
Hum in a deep tone that resonates in your chest. Hum a happy, light tune. Either, or… the vibrations of humming are very similar to a meditative chant. Like chanting, the sound waves and vibrations are both soothing and beneficial.
Benefits include:
- Relieves stress
- Relieves tension
- Improves Sinusitis
- Slows breathing
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Relaxes facial, neck muscles, and shoulder muscles
- Improves the parasympathetic system
Smile
Not feeling particularly happy at the moment? Smile anyway. Even a forced smile causes positive physical and emotional responses. Smile at others. It will make you and them feel better. Think of the amazing chain reaction you could cause simply by lifting the corners of your mouth.
Benefits include:
- Release of endorphins
- Lowers blood pressure
- Increases Serotonin
- Increases lifespan
Stretch
Take time to stretch before jumping out of bed and starting your day. Get up from your office chair and stretch those muscles once in a while. Stretching feels great and is great for you.
Benefits include:
- Improved circulation
- Improved flexibility
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Helps joint and muscle injury recovery
- Increases Energy
- Relieves stress and tension
- Increases feeling of well-being
- Improves posture
Doodle
Remember when you were little and the teacher would put on a record and you were told to just draw along with the tune? Take pen (or pencil) to paper and let your creativity out. Doodle to something you hum and double the benefits.
Benefits include:
- Improved memory and retention of information
- Improved focus
- Decreases stress
- Decreases tension
- Increased creativity
Sing
You don’t need to be able to carry a tune to benefit from singing. Lucky for me, and anyone graced with a similar set of vocal chords, singing off key is just as healthy for you as singing like a professional. You don’t even need to sing a song. Try singing sounds like short a or e.
Benefits include:
- Energizes
- Releases endorphins
- Exercises the lungs
- Deeper breathing
- Increases Circulation
- Lessens muscle tension
- Relieves stress
- Exercises vocal chords
- Elevates mood
- Stimulates the pineal gland
- Stimulates thyroid function
Daydream
Let your imagination take over for a few minutes. Close your eyes and let some positive imagery take the wheel.
Benefits include:
- Increased creativity
- Lowers blood pressure
- Relives stress
- Improves memory
- Improves concentration
picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/shareski/211532550/in/photostream/
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