While it sounds like a cliché, laughter really IS the best medicine. Beyond just a momentary giggle, a good laugh triggers a cascade of physical and emotional benefits, from releasing endorphins to reducing cortisol levels. But laughter isn’t the only tool to boost our mood. If you’re looking to improve your daily routine, here are several other science-backed ways to naturally boost your mood.
To read the full article, visit THE NATIONAL, article written by Gemma White
1. LAUGHTER
Dr Negn Hakim, a family medicine consultant at Cornerstone Clinic, shares her insights on how laughter can benefit your mental health. Laughter increases the release of endorphins, which improve mood, promote relaxation, and can even reduce pain. The body can’t tell the difference between real and fake laughter, at least at first. When you produce the physical act of laughing – rhythmic exhalation, facial muscle activation and diaphragm movement – you still trigger some of the same physiological pathways.
2. MOVING (even if for a small amount of time)
3. MEDITATION
4. GROUNDING
5. CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE
6. ICE BATHS
7. 5 MINUTES OF CONTROLLED BREATHING
8. INHALE YOUR FAVOURITE SCENT
9. GO OUTSIDE
10. COGNITIVE REFRAMING (pause and look at a situation from a different angle)
