A simple strategy to improve your mood in 12 minutes
We all have a remedy -- our favourite song or a piece of chocolate -- for lifting our spirits when we're in a bad mood. Rather than focusing on ways to make ourselves feel better, a team of researchers suggests wishing others well.
The researchers compared three technique involving looking at people and focusing on what they see on the outside.
- Loving-kindness: Looking at the people they see and thinking to themselves, "I wish for this person to be happy." Students were encouraged to really mean it as they were thinking it.
- Interconnectedness: Looking at the people they see and thinking about how they are connected to each other. It was suggested that students think about the hopes and feelings they may share or that they might take a similar class.
- Downward social comparison: Looking at the people they see and thinking about how they may be better off than each of the people they encountered.
They found those who practiced loving-kindness felt happier, more connected, caring and empathetic, as well as less anxious. The interconnectedness group was more empathetic and connected. Downward social comparison showed no benefit, and was significantly worse than the loving-kindness technique.
I wish you all a great Friday and a fantastic weekend! 
A beautiful Friday to you!
There’s 3 things I try to teach my 8 yr old (1)To be Kind(2)To be Kind & (3)To be Kind
I practice this every day There is not a person in this world that I can't find a connection with. I have found that uplifting someone else's makes me feel great inside.
Thank you Simon for the 3 simple but precise strategies. I have been encouraging my depressed clients to practice the second and third, but the first one will definitely help to uplift their mood.
Wishing you a great weekend!