While spring is just around the corner, February can still feel a bit flat. With several weeks before we’ll see warmer weather and longer days, motivation may be in short supply.
But there is hope on the horizon. Spring will officially arrive on Friday 20 March 2026, coinciding with the International Day of Happiness. A truly happy Friday!
In the meantime, if you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps this February and are looking for a pick-me-up, here are six simple but surprisingly effective ways to boost your mood.
1. Enjoy a cuppa
For centuries, people around the world have spoken about the benefits of drinking tea. Thanks to the fact that it’s made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which has calming properties, a good cup of tea can help to relax and soothe your nerves.
Better still, make it a pot for two and share a warming cup of tea over a chat with a friend. If your friends and family live a distance away, make a date to catch up on the phone or a video call and you can still each enjoy a cuppa together.
2. Go for a stroll in nature
Many studies have shown that being in nature has a positive effect on mental wellbeing.
The simple act of going out for a walk can help:
- Boost your mood
- Reduce feelings of anger and stress
- Improve confidence and self-esteem.
Spending time outdoors in nature can also help tackle mild to moderate levels of depression.
3. Do a kind deed
Acts of kindness boost serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which provide feelings of satisfaction and wellbeing. This makes the area of your brain that provides reward light up, which is why doing something kind can give you a huge sense of pleasure and boost your mood.
Random acts of kindness could include:
- Sending someone a handwritten note
- Inviting friends or family to share a home-cooked meal
- Calling a friend you haven’t seen in a while and arranging to meet up
- Donating to charity – or better still, having a declutter and donating a bag of clothes you no longer wear
- Popping into a coffee shop and paying it forward by buying a coffee for them to give away to someone else later.
Even a simple smile and saying “hello” to a stranger while out walking counts – so look up and stay alert to others around you – and give both yourself and others a boost.
4. Run a bath and soak your problems away
A regular hot bath can help to lift your mood. In Germany, hot baths and saunas are very popular, with many local facilities providing plenty of places to bathe. So, it’s little surprise that it was a researcher in Germany who found that those who struggled with depression saw their mood improve after taking a regular afternoon bath.
Whether you like a dramatic bath bomb, moisturising oil, or bubbles (akin to that famous Pretty Woman scene) a good long soak could get the blood flowing and help lift your mood.
5. Get a good night’s sleep
We’ve all heard the expression that someone in a bad mood woke up “on the wrong side of the bed”. And there’s science to explain the reason: not getting enough sleep can contribute to mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Getting good quality sleep can lift your mood, improve attention and concentration, and reduce stress levels, all of which can help boost your mental health.
6. Eat chocolate
We’ve saved the best till last… But first, it needs to be the right kind. We’re absolutely not advocating that you scoff an entire bumper-sized bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk!
However, eating dark chocolate may be good for you both physically and emotionally. Because it’s rich in plant compounds that have protective antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, dark chocolate (with a high percentage of cocoa) can help boost your health and reduce stress.
You should aim to eat dark chocolate with 70% cocoa or more.
For a full-on mood booster, invite your favourite people over for a cup of tea, unwrap a big bar of high-quality dark chocolate, and enjoy a good old catch up.
And if life feels heavier than a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate can fix, remember you don’t have to figure everything out on your own – we’re always happy to chat.