Improve Your Bad Mood by Going Outside for 5 Minutes
Curing a bad mood is as simple as going outside.
Researchers at the University of Regina recently discovered that five minutes in nature is enough to change a person’s mood. He recently published his findings in the Journal of Positive Psychology .
Overall, researchers have found that taking a step to the side and resting for a few minutes can help cope with a negative situation. The biggest benefits; however, come when you’ve spent these few minutes outside.
The researchers conducted two separate tests in which participants were asked to sit in a room or outdoors for different periods of time with no electronic devices to occupy them.
While negative emotions subside in both situations after just a few minutes, being in nature tends to generate positive emotions.
“There are two important points; The first thing I draw the attention of all my students these days is when you need an emotional boost, the quickest and easiest way is to spend a few minutes in nature, ”said Catherine D. Arbutnott, one of the study’s authors, to PsyPost . Her second takeaway from the study is that it is important to maintain open spaces for the emotional health and well-being of the general population.
The study is not entirely grandiose. We all know we need breaks, and it’s understandable that doing it outside, where you are supposedly looking at something beautiful and getting some fresh air, would be better than sitting at your desk. However, how many of us actually go out when we’re in a bad mood? Right.
Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to take a break when you have a problem.
Instead of wasting that break surfing Facebook, next time, consider going outside for a few minutes. You can come back much happier.