As we featured in our blog this week, making a few changes to your habits can help put you in a better mood. By paying attention to what you eat, adjusting daily activities, and more. And not only are the adjustments instant, the changes that cause them are extremely simple and easy to incorporate into your everyday life. Plus they actually work! Without medicating yourself or looking toward costly therapy or behavioral science appointments, you can enjoy the same health benefits in a natural and healthy manner.

To start incorporating these limited adjustments to reap ongoing benefits, consider the following.

Watching What you Eat

Paying close attention to what you ingest isn't just about watching one's weight. Though eating healthy can certainly be a great way to tone up or work on dropping pounds, it can also be a way to feel better. Many times, we don't even know how bad we feel until we've had the chance to detox the body. Or that some of the foods we love most are causing us to feel drudged down and tired. Start making a habit out of eating more fruits and veggies, and cutting out unnatural sugars for a natural way to rid the body of artificial ingredients.

Watching What you Drink

The same goes for beverages. Sodas – especially diet ones – are known to dehydrate the body and pump it full of toxins. Toxins, that over time, can put us in a bad mood. Even eliminating a soda or two at a time can do wonders for your mood. Taking it a step further and replacing them ALL with water or healthy beverages will move your efforts to the next level.

Regular Movement

Have you ever gone long periods of time without exercising? The body was meant to move, and robbing it from those key factors can negatively affect your attitude. If you're feeling down, take a walk or get in a workout – the turnaround will be almost instant.

Getting Plenty of Relax Time

Everyone likes to relax in a different way. Some like massages, others like to lounge on the couch and watch Netflix. Some might prefer to squeeze in a nap or sleep in on Saturdays. Whatever it is that helps you perform better throughout the week, make time for it. Avoiding what you love will only put you in a bad mood when it's time to be busy … and to do the things you really dislike. Also be sure and get plenty of sleep; tiredness is known to cause cranky moods as well.

Tell Yourself Things Aren't So Bad

Negativity is contagious. And so is having a positive outlook on life. Smiling, having good humor, and telling yourself things aren't so bad will help you gain a better outlook on life. Practice this habit enough and it just might become a habit … without even thinking about it.

Aromatherapy

Scent is perhaps the most underrated of the senses – it triggers memories, and can help perk you up with just a few breaths. Incorporate mood-enhancing smells in air fresheners, oil-based room décor, and even in household cleaning, like laundry and vacuuming. These easy changes will lighten the mind even without you having to think about it.

Improve Communication

Miscommunication causes all levels of unnecessary stress. Make a solid effort to better understand others, to hash out arguments with an understanding of where they're coming from, and to explain your intentions – whether in work or your personal life – as a rule. This is another learned habit that can improve positivity over time.