Tips to Brighten your Mood

We all have days where we feel a little down. Having a few tricks up your sleeve for putting a positive spin on your day can be a great way to lift your mood. Here’s a few tips for getting out of your funk, and on your way to a better day!

  1. Singing. Studies show that singing can actually improve your overall happiness. Blast some music – and sing along – on your way to work.
  2. Mindfulness. It can be easy to get so busy that you don’t find time for yourself to relax. For a few minutes each day, try adding a little mindfulness training in the form of meditation or yoga to your daily routine. The result will be a more relaxed, quieter mind.
  3. Socializing. Being around friends and family is a great way to boost your mood when you’re feeling down. Humans are social creatures, and even on off days, being around others can bring out the best in you.
  4. Smiling. Studies show that smiling more can brighten your mood by positively altering your brain chemistry. Try flashing a smile next time you’re feeling down.

Summer Garden Inspiration

 

There is no better way to bring the beauty of summer to your home than by growing a little garden of your own. Just a bit of effort planting some seeds can result in a lush garden blooming right before your eyes.

But how does one get started on such a gardening venture? Here are some tips for honing your green thumb:

  1. Know the climate of your location. The ability of many plants to grow quickly is often dependent upon the climate. Certain plants are naturally happier in warm, tropical climates with lots of sun, while other plants need shade or thrive in cooler climates. Before you buy a plant or plant seeds, be sure to research what environment the plant needs and how you can best achieve easy growing conditions.
  2. Know how often to water. Plants need different amounts of water, often based off the climates from which they originate. Often, unexperienced gardeners will kill their plants by either overwatering or underwatering. For this reason, be sure to know how much water the plants you choose need, and consider organizing your garden so plants with similar needs are close together.
  3. Know how it grows. Some plants grow so quickly and take up so much space that they kill the plants surrounding it, such as mint and bamboo. Knowing what plants are likely to overtake your garden, and should be grown in a pot or space, is important for a healthy garden.
  4. Pick the best location for your garden. Be sure to think about where the garden will be located. Being aware of how much light a region of your yard gets, or the ability for pesky critters to access the garden is important for planting.

A Few Tips for Sleeping Better

 

 

Sleep, and enough of it, are essential to your overall health and wellbeing. Here’s a few tips to make your sleep more peaceful and rejuvenating.

  1. Exercise. Being active may seem like a weird suggestion for better sleep, but a run can be the difference between struggling to fall asleep and resting peacefully through the night. You don’t need to run a marathon to get a good night’s rest, try talking a long walk at night or a leisurely jog through your neighborhood.
  2. Regular rest. The best way to become a better sleeper is to make your sleep schedule regular. Getting to bed at a reasonable hour and getting up around the same time each day are good ways to get your sleeping on track.
  3. Avoid screen time. The light that radiates off your laptop, phone, and TV screen is stimulating. Too much time spent looking at these devices prior to bed can make getting to sleep impossible. Try changing your phone settings to switch to a red light after a certain hour, and pick up a book rather than a TV show right before hitting the hay.
  4. Avoid worry overload. When you are trying to go to sleep, the mind has a way of worrying about what needs to get done. Try keeping a pen and notepad by your bed so you can write down thoughts to review the next morning. This will allow you to focus on sleep and ensure that you can tackle your concerns tomorrow.