Podcast Summary
Cold plunging: Cold plunging, or submerging in cold water, can improve mood and alleviate anxiety and stress in the moment, providing a transformative experience
Small actions can significantly improve your mood in the moment, even if they don't address underlying emotional issues or mental health conditions. Cold plunging, or submerging yourself in cold water, is one such action. It can provide a transformative experience, helping to alleviate anxiety and stress. This practice, which can be done year-round and in various ways, has gained popularity due to its potential mood-boosting benefits. Remember, while these actions can supplement a mental health routine, they are not a substitute for professional help for serious mental health conditions. So next time you're feeling down, consider giving cold plunging a try. You might be surprised by the positive effects it has on your mood.
Cold exposure and mood: Incorporating cold exposure and regular movement into daily routine can significantly improve mood by triggering sympathetic nervous system response and releasing stress hormones, and even short breaks for walking can lower blood pressure and boost mood.
Incorporating cold exposure and regular movement into your daily routine can significantly improve your mood. The cold shock response, which triggers the sympathetic nervous system and releases stress hormones, is believed to have mental health benefits. A small study from the UK suggests that even a quick dip in cold water can enhance mood, and this effect seems to be consistent regardless of the duration of the exposure. On the other hand, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found that taking short, frequent breaks to walk around can lower blood pressure and boost mood. These benefits were observed even with just one or two minutes of walking per hour, but longer breaks of up to five minutes showed even more impressive results. Additionally, any form of movement, including dancing or doing household chores, can yield similar benefits. So, whether you're looking for a quick mood boost or a long-term mental health improvement, consider adding cold exposure and regular movement to your daily routine.
Art and mental health: Engaging in art activities can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and provide self-expression and relaxation, ultimately benefiting mental and emotional well-being.
Engaging in creative activities, such as art, can have numerous benefits for mental and emotional well-being. According to research, making art can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and even serve an evolutionary purpose by helping us navigate problems and imagine better futures. The act of creating can also provide a sense of relaxation and self-expression, allowing individuals to process emotions and understand themselves better. Additionally, using various media, such as clay, can engage multiple senses and parts of the brain, leading to even greater benefits. Quick and easy creative exercises, like making a mini-zine in one sitting, can also be effective in boosting mood and providing a sense of accomplishment. Overall, creating art is a powerful tool for improving mental and emotional health, and it's important to remember that perfection is not required – the focus should be on the process and the enjoyment it brings.
ASMR and animal videos: ASMR through sounds like slime or whispering and watching cute animal videos can lead to positive emotional states and reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation or depression
There are various research-backed ways to boost our mood and counteract negative emotions. NPR, in collaboration with some of its team members, created an app called NPR Joy Generator, which offers a menu of techniques to induce positive emotional states, such as wonder, gratefulness, and anticipation. One such technique is Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), which can be triggered by sounds like someone playing with slime or whispering. ASMR can lead to a decrease in heart rate and pleasurable chills, providing a calming effect. Another mood booster is watching cute animal videos, like puppy pile videos, which can reduce stress and anxiety. These techniques offer simple yet effective ways to improve mood and combat feelings of isolation or depression.
Nostalgia: Engaging with things that evoke feelings of nostalgia can boost mood and strengthen relationships by reminding us of cherished memories and what matters to us
Engaging with things that evoke feelings of nostalgia can be a powerful mood booster. Whether it's looking at old photos, listening to favorite songs from the past, or even watching videos of cute animals, these experiences can help us feel more connected to our memories, strengthen our current relationships, and remind us of what we love and what matters to us. Nostalgia is a complex emotion, but it's a universal experience that can have positive effects on our mental well-being. So next time you're feeling down, try tapping into some nostalgia to help lift your mood.
Memory Reflection: Reflecting on past memories and experiences through means like old Facebook albums or podcasts can enhance mental well-being and reduce stress.
Taking time to reflect on past memories and experiences can help improve mental well-being. The hosts of NPR's LifeKit suggest revisiting old Facebook albums or taking a virtual walk down memory lane as simple ways to tap into nostalgia. For more tips on managing stress and long-term happiness, listeners can check out LifeKit's other episodes and subscribe to their newsletter. Meanwhile, the How Wild Podcast from KALW invites listeners to explore the history and changing state of wilderness and what it reveals about humanity. Take care of yourself and expand your horizons by listening to these insightful podcasts from NPR.