Boost Your Mood

Pick Me Up Tuesday: Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana

💛 Pick-Me-Up Tuesday: 7 Ways to Boost Your Mood Naturally

We all have days that feel heavy—where energy is low, motivation is missing, and the world feels just a little too much. If today feels like one of those days, take a breath. You’re not alone. At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, we believe that small shifts can make a big difference, especially when it comes to supporting mental wellness with gentleness and care.

Whether you’re a teen overwhelmed by school, an adult navigating daily stress, or a parent trying to hold everything together, these simple tools can help you boost your mood naturally—starting today.

And yes, sometimes a wagging tail can help, too. 🐾

🌞 Why Natural Mood Boosters Matter

While medication and therapy are incredibly valuable for many, natural mood boosters offer accessible, no-cost or low-cost ways to support your mental health between sessions. They help regulate your nervous system, release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, and reinforce healthy habits.

When used consistently, these tools also build emotional resilience—so you’re better equipped to manage stress and feel more in control of your day.

🧠 Explore: How Emotion Affects the Brain – Verywell Mind

🐾 The Therapy Dog Effect: Mood Support in Action

At AACI, our clients often tell us that just being near a therapy dog:

Lowers their anxiety
Makes it easier to talk about hard things
Helps them feel safe, calm, and cared for

Our therapy dogs aren’t just “cute distractions”—they are emotionally attuned companions that support clients in building emotional regulation and stress recovery skills. The calming presence of a dog can naturally lift your mood, helping you feel grounded and more open during sessions.

💡 7 Ways to Boost Your Mood Naturally

1. Get Outside (Even Just for 5 Minutes)

Fresh air and natural light have been shown to increase serotonin levels and reduce depressive symptoms. A short walk, some sunshine, or even sitting near a window can help shift your mental state.

🧪 Bonus: Grounding in nature (bare feet on grass, noticing sounds) can help regulate your nervous system.

2. Move Your Body Gently

You don’t have to run a marathon. Stretch, dance to your favorite song, take a walk, or do some yoga. Movement helps release endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.

Try this:
🧘 Full Body Stretch Routine – Healthline.com

3. Connect with Someone—Human or Canine

Social support is essential. Call a friend, cuddle your pet, or have a quiet moment with a therapy dog in session. Connection—especially one where you feel safe—is a natural emotional reset.

4. Eat Something Nourishing

Your brain needs fuel. Even if you’re not hungry, try a protein-rich snack, a smoothie, or something with complex carbs (like oats). Balanced blood sugar = balanced mood.

🥑 Learn: How Nutrition Affects Mental Health – Harvard Health

5. Listen to Music That Matches or Shifts Your Mood

Sometimes sad songs help us feel seen; other times we need a beat that brings energy. Music is powerful—it activates memory, movement, and emotion centers in the brain.

🎶 Create a “Pick-Me-Up” playlist to turn to when you’re low.

6. Name What You’re Feeling

Emotions lose intensity when we name them. Instead of suppressing your feelings, try saying (even just to yourself): “I feel sad,” “I feel tired,” “I feel unseen.”

Then ask yourself: “What do I need right now?”

7. Try a Calming Sensory Reset

Use your senses to shift your emotional state:

Wrap up in a cozy blanket
Light a candle with a scent you love
Drink tea slowly and mindfully
Pet your dog (or come meet one of ours!)

Therapy animals are incredible for this—dogs naturally tune into your energy and offer calm without saying a word.

🧩 What Works for You Might Be Different

It’s okay if one tip helps and another doesn’t. Mood-boosting is not one-size-fits-all. The most important thing is to stay curious and kind with yourself as you learn what your mind and body respond to.

✨ Reminder: Small efforts, repeated consistently, create real change.

🎯 Pick-Me-Up Tuesday Task: Try One Mood Booster Today

Choose one tip above and give it 5–10 minutes of your attention. Bonus points if it includes fresh air, connection, or a moment of calm with your pet.
Let this be your reset button for the day.

💛 When You’re Ready, We’re Here

f your emotional ups and downs feel unmanageable, you don’t have to carry that alone. At AACI, we provide compassionate counseling with the support of therapy dogs in a safe and welcoming environment.

Whether you’re a teen, adult, or parent needing support—we’re ready to walk alongside you.

🗓️ Contact us today
📍 Serving Munster, Indiana and surrounding communities