Mood

Sometimes we know our work mood is not always up-to-par. With everything in life some days are just not your day. Here are some tips on how to improve your mood at work and at home.

In many ways, you really are what you eat. Eating unhealthy food can leave you feeling sluggish, while eating healthy food is a great way to keep your energy up! There are even certain healthy foods that can actually improve your mood:

• Oatmeal – One of the best foods for boosting mood. The carbohydrates in oatmeal cause a release of serotonin and the fiber allows for gradual digestion, which means you get a steady stream of the “feel good” hormone.
• Salmon – Provides both vitamin D and omega-3s. Studies have found that people who deal with depression often have low levels of both of these nutrients. Eggs provide another good source.
• Colorful Fruits and Veggies – Folic acid is another nutrient that helps increase production of serotonin to improve your mood. Good sources include oranges, grapefruit, broccoli, strawberries, and green, leafy vegetables.
• Tea – A cup of tea can be especially beneficial before bed. Tea contains an amino acid that helps you feel calm. Adding a bit of honey also can increase the positive effects, helping you relax and sleep well.

Stress

What is work without a little stress? Deadlines, large workloads, and life weighs down on you daily. Stress can take an unhealthy toll on the mind and body, often resulting in sickness, gaining extra body fat, and making your heart work harder than it should. Check out some of these tips and tricks on how to reduce your stress. While you may not be able to avoid stress altogether, you can choose to deal with it in healthy ways.

• Talk with family and friends – Talking things over can go a long way toward making you feel better.
• Practice positive self-talk – Positive self-talk such as, “I can handle this if I take it one step at a time,” can help you relieve stress and better deal with the situation.
• Engage in daily physical activity – Working out daily and being as active as possible throughout the entire day will help relieve mental and physical tension. If you are already active, consider adding yoga to your routine to boost your ability to decompress.
• Remember to laugh – Laughter works anytime, anywhere.
• Slow down – Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Learn how to pace yourself so you do not feel overwhelmed.
• Get plenty of sleep – To help make sure this happens, practice the following habits: Don’t drink caffeine in the evening. Turn off all screens (TV, computer, phone) at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Give back – Doing more for others is also a great way to help you de-stress.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff – It’s easier said than done, but remind yourself: The world won’t end if your grass isn’t mowed or your kitchen isn’t spotless.

Feeling stressed is common; however, finding ways to reduce or deal with stress while maintaining a good mood will benefit you in more ways than one!

Reynolds and Reynolds is committed to wellness and helping employees develop healthy habits that make them more productive and engaged, both professionally and personally.