Three Simple Ways to Improve Your Mood This Year

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Hey guys! How’s 2019 treating ya?

Stressed? Tired? Straight up drained?

Join the club.

As a mama to a 14-month-old baby girl, I think it goes without saying that I’ve been all of the above recently, but I’ve gotta tell ya – ever since the new year rolled around, I’ve been working super hard to improve my mood and my overall well-being.

So that’s what today’s post is all about. Today I wanna chat with you guys about a few changes I’ve made recently and how they’ve changed my life. These are three things I’ve been doing this year that have totally improved my mood – things I hope you’ll consider giving a shot too.

Waking Up 10 Minutes Earlier + Enjoying A Cup of Coffee

I used to wake up to sounds of Riley screaming through the monitor.

“Hello! Mom! I’m ready! Come change my diaper but I’m gunna cry as soon as you lay me down on the changing table! Goooood morning!” (Just to clarify – she can’t really talk yet – but that’s what she’d be saying if she could.)

As you can imagine, whenever that would happen, my mornings were a little less than peaceful. My days literally started off with zero “me time” and it was all downhill from there. Cut to a scene of a disheveled version of myself at 8pm, fighting the urge to break down and cry and that’s what a typical day looked like.

These days are different though. Ever since I committed to making more time for myself this new year, I’ve made it a point to wake up earlier than I need to.

Nothing crazy, not 5am – but just 10 minutes before I expect baby girl to be up.

During those 10 minutes, I make my morning coffee, and you guys, it’s been glorious.

First of all, just the fact that I’m able to enjoy a HOT cup of coffee is a miracle in and of itself.

But I’ve also been using Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half (the Unsweetened variety) and it’s made my heart so happy.

It’s all natural, plant-based, non-dairy, and made with real almond milk and coconut cream. It’s something that genuinely brings me joy in the morning, but also something I can feel good about. Sounds like a win-win to me, right? (It also comes in vanilla btw, but I’ve been trying to limit my sugar, so unsweetened with 0g of sugar is totally my jam right now.)

So yea, I ran into Walmart the other day to grab some diapers for Riley, and while I was there, I took a quick little detour to the creamer section and picked this stuff up. One of the many reasons I love Walmart, right? They literally have everything. #soconvenient

Back to this whole idea of waking up earlier, though – it’s been a total game changer. I know it sounds lame, but I feel like I have more control over my day and it’s such a total mood booster.

Instead of the day owning me, I’m owning my day.

Owning it by enjoying some time to myself and a creamy cup of coffee thanks to Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half.

One of my favorite things to do is to take it outside and just listen. Listen to the cars, the birds, the wind, but it’s such a grounding exercise and there’s something so rewarding about starting off the day slowly, quietly, on my own terms, and NOT in a state of panic.

It’s seriously helped me in more ways than I could ever tell you, so if you’re looking for ways to improve your mood this year, I highly recommend a simple morning ritual like this.

Earn $1 off any 1 Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half (16oz) via Ibotta here.

Setting Aside Time to Read

I used to love reading. Anyone else here a bookworm? Let me know in the comments please! Anyway, I’d spend entire days on the couch reading books. Fiction… nonfiction…didn’t matter. I loved it all.

But I have to say, over the past year, as I got busy with this whole being a mom thing and all, I found it really hard to open one up. I’d read a chapter here, another chapter there, and if I’m being honest, I think I read maybe one whole book in its entirety. Not exactly the kind of reading log I’m proud of.

So when 2019 rolled around, I made it a goal to read one book a month. And so far, I’m happy to report that I’m right on track – I’m actually on my third book of the year. Go me.

Using Riley’s nap times or the few minutes before she wakes up in the morning to dive into a book has improved my mood so much these past few weeks. I feel more creative, again – more in control of my time, and it’s just felt unbelievably good to prioritize time in my day to do something that makes me happy.

Not another chore off the to-do list.

Not another task.

Just something that brings me joy and adds value to my life.

So if you enjoy reading but haven’t found the time lately to curl up with a good book, I challenge you to prioritize it over the next few weeks. Set aside 15-20 minutes a day just for reading, and I bet those 15-20 minutes will easily turn into about an hour.

(If you want book recommendations, btw, DM me on Instagram and I’ll tell ya what I’ve read so far!)

Yoga

I had never done yoga before in my life. I mean, sure, maybe I tried a class here and there, but I had never really PRACTICED yoga.

Until this year.

In January I participated in a 30-day yoga challenge and it was one of the most life-altering things I’ve ever done in my life. I know that sounds super dramatic, but that’s honestly how I feel about it.

As someone who suffers from a lot of anxiety and all the stresses that come with motherhood, yoga has brought so much peace and clarity into my life and without a doubt, it’s improved my mood.

Now that the 30-day challenge is over, I’m practicing yoga 3 days a week and I’m planning on continuing that schedule indefinitely.

Wanna know a secret? You don’t need a fancy studio membership, and you don’t have to be super bendy! I straight up followed yoga videos on YouTube and those are totally free.

The benefits?

I’m more mindful.

I’m more at peace.

My back doesn’t hurt as much.

And I’ve learned I’m so much stronger than I’ve ever given myself credit for.

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So that’s really it guys! That’s all I have to update you guys on now. Those are three new things I’ve been doing this year that have totally transformed my mood, and I think they’re worth exploring if you’re looking to make some changes in your daily routine.

And while you’re making those changes, don’t forget to try the new Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half. It’s fun to change up your coffee every once in a while, and I really think you’ll like it!  For a limited time, Earn $1 off any 1 Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half on Ibotta.