Suffice to say, 2020 has been a wild ride! If you feel like you’re psychologically limping to the December 31 finish line (and you’re certainly not alone!) it might be time to try some easy mood boosters. 

Luckily, there are plenty of little hacks you can try right now that will lighten the spirit and soften the blows the year has left on us. Bookmark this post for the next 3pm slump and we promise, you’ll be feeling better in no time!

2021 is set to be a much better year, however it will come with it's own challenges so it will be even more important to have all these ideas up your sleeve to stay positive. 

From all of us at Lakanto we wish you a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Take a hike 

Some advice to live by: If you have nothing to do, go for a walk. If you have too much to do, go for a walk! There’s nothing better for your mental and physical health than simply putting one foot in front of the other. Whether you have time for a solid hike or a quick blockie, scientists have linked regular waking to improved sleep, stress relief, increased energy and reduced tiredness. Winning!

 

Nourish your body

The silly season can have you burning the candle at both ends, even (or perhaps more so) in the middle of a pandemic.

Be sure you’re making time to nourish your body with balanced, where possibly home-cooked meals (time to try some meal prep?), and take note of your booze, fat and sugar intake. It may be time to mindfully cut back…

 

Laugh 

There’s truth to the old adage that laughter is the best medicine. It’s been proven to help physically relax the body, reduce your stress hormones and the help to release those feelgood endorphins. 

Laughing with loved ones is also a strong way to bond emotionally. Is it time for some funny can videos?!

 

Meditate

It’s no wonder mindfulness meditation has taken off in recent years. There are now literally thousands of studies to show how the practice can positively impact our mental and physical health. 

Essentially mindfulness meditation is about bringing yourself in to the present moment, observing your thoughts and accepting your feelings. It’s best done sitting down with no major distractions.

Scientists reckon meditating for even just 5 minutes a day can be a boon for stress levels, concentration, self-esteem and self-acceptance. 

 

Make yourself a (sugar free) treat 

Sometimes, chocolate is the only cure. And as it turns out, good quality dark choc (also lower in sugar than milk choc!) and Cacao Powder (not to be confused with cocoa) is loaded with an amino acid called tryptophan, which your brain uses to produce the happy chemical serotonin.

So skip the sugar rush and make yourself a special choc lava pudding – it’s sure to put a smile on your dial.