Not Feeling Joyful? Grab the Mop
Cleaning isn't on Julie Andrews's melodic list of favorite things, but maybe it should be.
When you feel a little down in the dumps, just 20 minutes of brisk housework could have you back to your happy, toe-tapping self. Worth a try, right?
Washes Away Stress
Hate mopping and sweeping? Go for a walk instead. As long as it lasted for at least 20 minutes, making the place sparkle or walking at least once a week reduced depression by up to 20 percent in a study. Why? Because when physical activity goes up, physical stress goes down -- and your mood benefits. Do allergies make housecleaning a double chore for you? Get sniffle-curbing tips and tricks in the RealAge Soothe Your Sinuses Center.
3 More Ways to Beat Blahs
Here are a few more tips for getting to a happier place:
- Get your ZZZs. A lack of shut-eye can wipe the smile off of anyone's face. Can't stay asleep? Take this quiz to find the culprit.
- Make a budget. Money troubles are one of the most common forms of stress. Use our online tools to get your finances back on track.
- Eat true comfort foods. Ice cream? Nope. Avocado? Now that's the ticket. And berries, and chocolate . . . these foods appear to calm people down. Check out these other soothing foods.
Need some support in beating the blues? Join the message boards at DailyStrength.
RealAge Benefit:
A physical activity program that builds stamina, strength, and flexibility can make your RealAge as much as 2.8 years younger.Dose response relationship between physical activity and mental health: The Scottish Health Survey. Hamer, M. et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine 2008 Apr 10.
