Weighing The Facts: lift your spirits

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

More benefits of smiling

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: