At the beginning of a year, many people are busy making plans for the coming year. Among all kinds of plans, have you ever thought about making a plan for your mood in the coming year? For this, some psychologists suggest that people who are prone to low moods should set a "mood plan" at the beginning of the year, which is very important for adjusting one's mindset. The following methods will help you maintain a good mood in the coming year.
1. Keep a happiness journal: Psychologists have long discovered that people with generally positive emotions are better at resolving unhappy events. This shows that a good mood can also be "saved". A happiness journal can help you accumulate small joys bit by bit. It's simple: every night, recall the happy things that happened during the day. Even if your mood was not great that evening, don't overlook the events that brought you joy. Doing this can enhance your ability to perceive small happiness, and over time, it will become easier to maintain a good mood.
2. Hold a happiness ceremony: Choose a relaxed environment, gather with friends or family, and solemnly make a wish to live happily in the coming year. Don't underestimate this commitment. Social psychologists believe that announcing something in front of others makes it more likely to happen because you want to prove to others that you keep your promises, so you'll work towards fulfilling them. Often, your behavior determines your state of mind. As James-Lange theory of emotion suggests: "We cry because we are sad; we hit because we are angry; we tremble because we are afraid—not the other way around."
3. Spend more time with family: Recent studies abroad have found that a person’s emotional positivity is most closely related to family happiness. Dr. DeForest, an American family therapist, also believes that whether a person feels happy largely depends on their family happiness. Regularly showing care, gratitude, communicating, gathering often, and encouraging each other not only creates a happy family but also allows you to experience happiness and joy easily in this process.
4. Chat with friends regularly: In psychology, there is a concept called "psychological vomiting," and chatting with friends is an excellent way to do this. You can talk to your friends about the unsatisfactory aspects of life and the small troubles you encounter. In this process, you are already sorting out your emotions in a timely manner. Even if you don't vent your worries, chatting itself is a great way to regulate your mood. Set aside a few weekends to meet and chat with your friends, and you'll find it easier to gain a good mood.
5. Get closer to nature: Studies have shown that as population density increases, the frequency of feelings like anxiety and irritability also rises. Moreover, external factors such as noise and colors can affect our emotions. The hustle and bustle of the city significantly impact our emotions, so in the coming year, make sure to give yourself several opportunities to get close to nature. Your mood will be soothed in a quiet and beautiful environment. If you can't physically go into nature, listen to music featuring bird songs, insect chirps, and ocean waves to take a mental journey through imagination.
Source: Life Times
Author: Li Ling