---
title: 4 Simple Things to Instantly Boost Your Mood
description: It doesn't take much to put a little spring in your step. Here are four simple ways to instantly boost your mood!
image: https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/hubfs/mood%20booster%20image.jpg
---

- [Home »](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com)
- [Top Dental and Wellness Stories »](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com)
- 4 Simple Things to Instantly Boost Your Mood

# 4 Simple Things to Instantly Boost Your Mood

 March 25, 2021

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![mood booster image](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mood%20booster%20image.jpg?width=1200&name=mood%20booster%20image.jpg)

Have you ever noticed there seems to be a bounce in everyone’s step when the sun is out? One can’t help but feel just a little more joyful than usual when exposed to sunshine: it triggers the release of [serotonin, a natural mood booster](https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight).

The good news is that no matter what the weather is or what kind of day you’re having, you can achieve that shot of positivity every day—naturally! Here are four simple ways you can instantly give your mood a boost.

 

## Move your body

The great thing about this tip is that achieving a natural mood boost through movement doesn’t require too much of a workout. You don’t need to run five miles, lift heavy weights or even leave your house. By simply going for a walk or taking a few minutes to stretch throughout the day, health experts agree there are [direct ties to uplifted mood and exercise](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise).

And the benefits aren’t just in the short term. A recent study concluded that [there is a 26% decrease in the odds of becoming depressed for each major step up in activity](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/more-evidence-that-exercise-can-boost-mood). For example, going from sitting for 15 minutes to walking for 15 minutes was a 26% decrease. Then, 15 minutes of walking to 15 minutes of jogging was another 26% decrease.

No matter what level of activity you’re comfortable with, you can reap the short and long-term mood-boosting effects of moving your body a little bit each day!

## Call a friend

Human beings are [wired to be social creatures](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2527715/). From the communities we are born into to the ones we join throughout our lives, even the most introverted among us crave social contact from time to time. And the science backs this up: research has concluded that social connections [reduce our levels of stress](https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships).

Psychologist Susan Pinker further explains that [person-to-person contact is the equivalent of receiving a vaccine that releases neurotransmitters that regulate our response to stress and anxiety](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321019). So, something as simple as sharing a laugh with a loved one increases our level of trust and connection, which lowers cortisol (our “fight or flight” hormone), which, in turn, reduces stress.

So, for a quick mood boost, pick up the phone and call a friend or family member! Or, if you’re not the phone call type, shoot over a message via text or set up a video chat.

## Surround yourself with nature

Remember at the top of this article when we mentioned sunshine is a natural mood booster? On the flip side, a [Vitamin D deficiency](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms) can result in fatigue and depression, so make sure you get yourself some of that sweet Vitamin D from the sun when you can! Step outside for a few minutes on a nice day or sit by a window if you can.

Another way to bring the great outdoors to you without leaving the house is by purchasing some indoor plants. More than just a social media design trend, there are [many science-backed benefits](https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants) of having indoor plants, including reduced stress, increased focus and even cleaner air!

If you don’t have a green thumb, no need to worry! These plants are quite resilient and are easy to take care of:

- Snake plant
- Christmas cactus
- Lucky bamboo
- Spider plant
- Rubber tree
- Air plant
- ZZ plant

**Note:** Make sure you do your research on any plant you bring in your home if you have small children or pets around.

## Offer a kind gesture

We all learned the Golden Rule as children: treat others as you want to be treated. But what the adage doesn’t cover is the science behind it all. Even giving and receiving the simplest acts of kindness activate the pleasure zone of your brain and [release a chemical called oxytocin](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/how-sharing-kindness-can-make-you-healthier-happier/art-20390060), which regulates social interactions and emotion. In other words, you feel the warm fuzzies.

What’s more, committing an act of kindness is contagious. Even witnessing a kind gesture can elicit the same “warm fuzzy” response as giving or receiving it, which makes you more likely to want to follow suit. Plus, some experts say [humans are wired to be communal and help one another](https://drdavidhamilton.com/how-kindness-is-contagious/) due to our social makeup.                                          

So, if you’re at the grocery store, hold the door for the person behind you. Or compliment the barista at your favorite coffee shop on her cute shirt. These little gestures take only seconds to do but can instantly make someone’s day. And you’ll feel those positive vibes from doing so.

**The bottom line: **You don’t need to do much to instantly boost your mood. Just a few minutes of exercise can stave off depression and stress. Calling a friend taps into our innate desire for social connections, which elevates our mood. Sunshine and greenery are Mother Nature’s mood boosters. A simple kind gesture goes a long way, so be generous!

### Search for

Search

### Recent Posts

- [5 brushing mistakes you're probably making](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/5-brushing-mistakes-youre-probably-making)
- [6 Manly tips for men’s health](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/6-manly-tips-for-mens-health)
- [Kickstart your morning with a 5-step oral care routine](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/kickstart-your-morning-with-a-5-step-oral-care-routine)
- [5 things to take with you on your summer vacation](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/5-things-to-take-with-you-on-your-summer-vacation)
- [Root canal or extraction - What’s the difference and why should you care?](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/root-canal-or-extraction-whats-the-difference-and-why-should-you-care)

### Archives

- [June 2026 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2026/06)
- [May 2026 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2026/05)
- [April 2026 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2026/04)
- [March 2026 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2026/03)
- [February 2026 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2026/02)
- [January 2026 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2026/01)
- [December 2025 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/12)
- [November 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/11)
- [October 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/10)
- [September 2025 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/09)
- [August 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/08)
- [July 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/07)
- [June 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/06)
- [May 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/05)
- [April 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/04)
- [March 2025 (5)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/03)
- [February 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/02)
- [January 2025 (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2025/01)
- [December 2024 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/12)
- [November 2024 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/11)
- [October 2024 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/10)
- [September 2024 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/09)
- [August 2024 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/08)
- [July 2024 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/07)
- [February 2024 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/02)
- [January 2024 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2024/01)
- [December 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/12)
- [November 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/11)
- [October 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/10)
- [September 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/08)
- [July 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/07)
- [June 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/06)
- [May 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/05)
- [April 2023 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/04)
- [March 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/03)
- [January 2023 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2023/01)
- [December 2022 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/12)
- [November 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/11)
- [October 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/10)
- [September 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/09)
- [August 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/08)
- [July 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/07)
- [June 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/06)
- [May 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/05)
- [April 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/04)
- [March 2022 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/03)
- [February 2022 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/02)
- [January 2022 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2022/01)
- [December 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/12)
- [November 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/11)
- [October 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/10)
- [September 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/09)
- [August 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/08)
- [July 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/07)
- [June 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/06)
- [May 2021 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/05)
- [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/04)
- [March 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/03)
- [February 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/02)
- [January 2021 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2021/01)
- [December 2020 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/12)
- [November 2020 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/11)
- [October 2020 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/10)
- [September 2020 (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/09)
- [August 2020 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/08)
- [July 2020 (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/07)
- [May 2020 (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/05)
- [February 2020 (10)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/02)
- [January 2020 (8)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/archive/2020/01)

see all

### Categories

- [dental care costs (7)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-costs)
- [dental care for adults (24)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-for-adults)
- [dental care for children (19)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-for-children)
- [dental care for employees (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-for-employees)
- [dental care for families (26)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-for-families)
- [dental care for seniors (22)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-for-seniors)
- [dental care for students (11)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-for-students)
- [dental care procedures (13)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-procedures)
- [dental care tips (48)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/temp-for-dental-care-tips)
- [dental care trends (12)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-care-trends)
- [dental discount plans (11)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-discount-plans)
- [dental emergencies (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-emergencies)
- [dental insurance (11)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/dental-insurance)
- [digital hygiene (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/digital-hygiene)
- [eating well (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/eating-well)
- [health care costs (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/health-care-costs)
- [health insurance (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/health-insurance)
- [mental health (8)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/mental-health)
- [money (3)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/money)
- [nutrition (2)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/nutrition)
- [oral health & diet (5)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/oral-health-diet)
- [wellness discount plans (1)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-discount-plans)
- [wellness for adults (54)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-for-adults)
- [wellness for employees (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-for-employees)
- [wellness for families (36)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-for-families)
- [wellness for seniors (23)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-for-seniors)
- [wellness services (4)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-services)
- [wellness tips (66)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-tips)
- [wellness trends (8)](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/topic/wellness-trends)

[see all topics](https://blog.edentalsolutions.com/four-simple-things-to-instantly-boost-your-mood#)