Being a solopreneur can get stressful. After all, you’re in charge of everything with little to no help from others. But, it doesn’t have to be so hard! Incorporating little breaks and opportunities for self-care throughout your day can make a big impact on your overall mood.

I used to be a pretty stressed out lady boss until I started making some intentional changes to my routine. These things have all helped, in their own little way, to keep stress at bay and productivity high. Keep reading to find out the 8 ways that you can improve your mood at work.

Get outside

Getting out into nature is an amazing way to instantly boost your mood. Try taking a fifteen-minute break to simply walk around your neighborhood. If you have a dog, make sure you bring them along! I guarantee that when you come back you’ll have a fresh perspective on any issues you were facing and will be energized to get back to work.

No time for a break? You can try working outside by visiting a park, coffee shop, or a local museum with an outdoor space. Anywhere with wifi will do. Working in an outdoor space will automatically make things less stressful because you’ll be enjoying the fresh air and your new surroundings.

Use Essential Oil

Your sense of smell has a powerful impact on your brain activity and overall wellbeing. Diffusing essential oils at your desk is an excellent way to instantly boost your mood at work. You can make your own blends or choose a premade one that describes the way you want to feel.

One of my favorites is Aura Cacia Creative Juice Blend. It’s a staple at my desk because it gives me energy and sparks my creativity throughout the workday. I also like to keep Lavender essential oil handy for those times when I’m a little stressed out and need to calm down.

You can also use essential oil topically by buying or making your own rollerball blends. Simply roll the essential oil on your pulse points to feel the benefits as it soaks into your skin.

Grab your favorite (non-alcoholic) beverage

If it’s the middle of the workday and your anxiety is running high, then it’s time for a break. If you only have 5 minutes, grabbing your favorite drink is a great way to relax.

In the morning, this could be a cup of coffee to give you some energy. In the afternoon, maybe go with an herbal tea, like chamomile, to calm you down. If you want something fizzy, try a kombucha to give you those probiotic benefits. It can be any drink you like! This is such a quick fix to get your mind off of something that’s stressing you out.

Create a stress-less morning

One of the best things I’ve done for my health and overall well-being is to create a morning routine that preps me for the day ahead. It doesn’t need to be anything really elaborate to be effective. Just take a little time for yourself in the morning and only include things that really make you happy.

I like to get my day started by doing some gentle stretching/yoga, first thing. Then, I make myself some coffee and get ready for the day. After that, I simply relax on the couch and watch a couple of youtube videos. Right before I start working, I re-visit my to-do list and prioritize what I will work on first and outline how my entire morning will go. I make sure that I have a clear plan of action to reduce any chance of overwhelm.

Eat Healthy Food

You won’t have a very productive day if the food you’re eating makes you feel sluggish or even sick. You want to fuel your body with things that make you feel your best throughout the workday.

I personally follow the 80-20 rule, where I eat healthy foods 80% percent of the time and then treat myself for the other 20%. That way I’m feeling healthy but have some flexibility in my diet to have those treats too. But whatever works for you is great!

If you find that you’re having trouble sticking to a healthy eating schedule during a hectic work week then give meal prepping a try. Prepare all of your meals and snacks for the week ahead on a Sunday evening. That way you only have to heat things up and you’re ready to eat a healthy meal.

Exercise

Going right along with eating healthy, it’s also important to move your body. Exercising in the morning will give you a boost of energy that will continue throughout the rest of your day. Making you more productive and also more likely to make healthy choices. Alternatively, you can exercise during the workday as a little break or in the evening to wind down after a tough day.

It’s also so so so important to choose a form of exercise that you actually like doing. Don’t choose a workout just because someone else, on Instagram, got amazing results from it. You’re only going to stick to regular exercise if you actually enjoy it. It can be anything you like – Yoga, barre class, going on a run, spinning, weight lifting, doing some YouTube exercise videos, or even just going for a walk.

Practice Gratitude or Journaling

Sometimes all you need is a mindset shift to start feeling better when you’re in a bit of a funk. When things aren’t going to well, think about all of the positive things that are going on in your life.

What are you grateful for? Just take a couple of minutes to jot down some things you’re thankful for or simply think about them and really appreciate what you have.

If you want to make this a daily practice you could grab a copy of the Five Minute Journal, or any journal for that matter, and make it a part of your morning and evening routine to practice gratitude.

Meditate or Do Some Yoga

The benefits of meditation are endless. It’s known to improve your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. I’m the first to admit, that I’m not the best at it. I really suck at sitting still. But this shouldn’t stop you from giving it a try! It can really center you and give you peace and clarity for the work day ahead.

I like to start my morning off with some gentle stretches or a slow yoga flow. This allows me to wake up and move my body in the morning for about 15 minutes. Because the practice is on the slower side I’m able to make that mind/body connection and have some time that is just for me before the workday begins.

There you have it! Those are my 8 favorite ways to instantly boost my mood at work. What are your favorite ways to put yourself in a better mood? Share your self-care secrets in the comments below.

Watch the Simplify to Sell Website Workshop

I’ll show you how to streamline, connect with your niche, and earn more money from your website during this free on-demand website workshop for health and wellness professionals.

Subscribe

Thank you for subscribing!