Things to help boost mood on a not-so-good day
Here's a collection of podcasts, books, and movies that have kept me positive
The American historian and writer Alice Morse Earle said, “Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.”
It’d be nice to wake up every morning to see that it is what you consider to be a perfect day. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for many of us with chronic illnesses. We have good and bad days, ups and downs in life. As I battle aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), I’ve had many days when I was left feeling lonely and sad, sometimes lasting for longer than a day.
Staying in that negative emotion can be easy and make you want to avoid the day rather than conquer it. On these days, what I need most is positive motivation to boost my mood and keep me going. I do that by listening, journaling, or speaking positively, immersing my eyes and ears with such positive messages.
An article posted on the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn LPS site explains:
“When you think happy or optimistic thoughts, the brain produces serotonin, creating a feeling of calm, focus, and well-being. Positive emotions such as joy can also activate the prefrontal cortex, reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and make it easier to reflect and become aware of your thought processes.”
We live in a world filled with negative news at our fingertips, which makes it harder to focus on positives. Such an environment can be challenging, but we must make an effort to focus on positivity until it’s second nature to do that.
Ways to feel positive
To combat the negativity and make way for a good and fresh sense of positivity, here are some ways to help that can fit into our normal routine.
Podcasts are prerecorded episodes intended for listening on demand. I like to put in my headphones and listen while I go for a walk or finish chores around the house. Here are are five podcasts with many episodes that could boost your mood.
- “On Purpose” with Jay Shetty
- “Happier” with Gretchen Rubin
- “Unlocking Us” with Brené Brown
- “Happy Place” with Fearne Cotton
- “Kind World“
Books, obviously, can also help make your day more positive. Some come with hope while others guide you in handling tough days. I’ve listed five books that instill a positive message while also making space for you to learn along the way.
- “The Pivot Year” by Brianna Wiest
- “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin
- “The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness” by Robert Waldinger, MD, and Marc Schulz, PhD
- “Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!” by Kate Bowler
- “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle
Movies may bring up many feelings, good or bad. They help you see how others feel, react, and work through tough life problems while sometimes giving you the space to laugh and find humor. Here are five movies that I’ve found good for a laugh or the happy endorphins your body needs.
There are many other ways to help boost your mood on a not-so-good day, but the information here should be a good start.
If you have other podcasts, books, or movies you listen to, read, or watch to pick up your mood, please let me know in the comments below.
Note: PNH News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of PNH News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
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