Feeling down is a normal part of being human, as everyone feels sad at times. Luckily, there are lots of really simple things we can do to lift our spirits. Here’s 12 scientifically-proven ways you can boost your mood without too much effort.
1. Listen to a song or piece of music that you love.
Music can have a powerful impact, with research showing that it benefits people with depression or dementia, cancer patients, those experiencing pain and children with autism. Listen to your favourite album or put together a playlist of songs you love. A family member or carer can help you do this, if you aren’t familiar with technology.
2. Laugh out loud.
Laughing isn’t just good fun: according to science, it also helps relieve stress, stimulates your organs and even improves your immune system. Some easy ways to enjoy a good laugh is to watch a funny TV show, read some great jokes, chat to a friend who brightens your day, or watch a funny cat video (or more!) on the Internet.
3. Do something kind for someone else.
Helping other people can boost your spirits, as you feel good knowing you have brought a smile to someone’s face. Volunteering is a great way to help others, but you can also start small. Try paying someone a compliment, saying kind words, doing an act of service for someone, or saying hello to your neighbours.
4. Try mediation (even 5 minutes will do!)
You don’t need to go to a yoga studio to try meditating. Simple mindfulness techniques such as focusing on the present moment, slowing down your breathing and relaxing your muscles can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. If you’d like to give it a try, The Smiling Mind is a free app that guides you through some simple meditation practices.
5. Take a walk around the block
Exercise is wonderful for your mental health. It improves your mood, relieves stress and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. A simple way to get some exercise is to go for a walk in your neighbourhood: perhaps to a local park, the shops or around the block. Take your time, knowing that moving your body is doing you some good!
6. Make a gratitude list
In a US study, psychologists asked one group of people to write down things that were thankful for, and the second group to write down the things that irritated them. After 10 weeks, the group that was thankful reported feeling more optimistic about their lives. If you’re feeling down, try making a list of what you are thankful for, even the little things. It will remind you that no matter what’s going on, there’s always something to smile about.
7. Give someone a call for a chat
While new technology provides so many different ways to stay in touch, sometimes you can’t beat an old fashioned phone call. Talking to someone, even for 15 minutes helps prevent isolation, especially if you are living on your own. Have a chat to a family member, friend or perhaps someone you haven’t caught up with in a while to lift your mood.
8. Give your loved one a hug
Did you know that hugging your loved ones is good for your health? When you give someone that you trust a hug, the hormone oxytocin is released into your blood stream, which reduces blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety, while boosting feelings of contentment. This effect also occurs if you hug your pet!
9. Pet an animal
While we’re on the subject of pets, keep your cat or dog close. Alongside the opportunity to exercise and regularly go outside, pets can help us cope with loneliness, offer companionship, and provide us with distraction from our own anxieties. If you don’t have a pet, consider spending time with a friend who has one, so you can reap the benefits.
10. Make a list of things you enjoy doing
When you’re feeling down, it’s easy to lack motivation to do something active. To help you in these moments, make a list of simple activities you enjoy, such as doing a puzzle, taking a bath, going for a walk, drinking a cup of tea with a good book, or doing some drawing. Keep it on hand for those times when you’re not sure what activity might cheer you up.
11. Go outside
Being outside, especially amongst nature, is great for your mental health. It can lower anxiety, improve memory and also give you a boost in creativity. Getting out in nature doesn’t have to be complicated. Try going for a walk in your local park, getting out in the garden or taking your morning coffee outside in the fresh air.
12. Declutter a space in your home
It’s a surprising one, but research shows that being in a cluttered environment can increase your stress levels and reduce your ability to focus. To clear your mind and boost your mood, try picking a small area of your home and taking some time to put a few things away. If you need help, chat to your carer or a family member about how they can support you.
Remember, if you need support with your mental health, reach out to a loved one, friend or your support worker for help. Here are some organisations that can help:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
The Albanese Labor Government has introduced a landmark Aged Care Bill, marking a once-in-a-generation reform to prioritise the rights, safety and dignity of older Australians.
From 1 July 2025, the new Aged Care Act will bring significant changes, including:
-Tougher regulatory standards to ensure higher
accountability
-Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards for improved
care delivery
-A dedicated Statement of Rights for older Australians
-A $4.3 billion Support at Home program to help seniors live independently at home for longer
These reforms align with the Royal Commission’s recommendations, focusing on better complaint handling, greater participant choice, improved funding and enhanced fairness and quality across the sector.
If you’d like to learn more about how these changes impact you or your loved ones, Home Caring can guide you through the details. Please call us on 1300 875 377 for personalised support and assistance.
Read more 📱- health.gov.au/aged-care-act
#AgedCareReforms #SupportingOlderAustralians #australianhealthandagedcare #AHAC
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Even as we head into the final month of the year our incredible Home Caring teams show no signs of slowing down! Fueled by their passion for helping others they’ve been working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of our clients. Last weekend our Home Caring Vermont HomeCaring Narre Warren Home Caring Footscray HomeCaring Mornington Peninsula Home Caring St Albans Eltham and Bellarine teams all came together to showcase their dedication and expertise at the Melbourne Disability Expo.
The expo was an amazing opportunity for our teams to connect with the local community, meet new faces and raise awareness about the vital work we do. From sharing insights into our services to forming meaningful connections all of our Melbourne teams went above and beyond to make the event a resounding success. It’s clear that when you’re passionate about your work, it never feels like a job – and this passion was on full display throughout the weekend. A big thank you to everyone involved for representing Home Caring with such heart and dedication! 🩵
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Happy Friday HC fam!
It’s been a busy and productive week here at Home Caring with only forty days till the end of the year we are full steam ahead! One highlight was the team-building and networking session with our amazing Home Caring Bankstown team. The workshop was a huge success bringing everyone together to learn, grow and strengthen our skills.
These sessions are such a valuable part of what we do as they foster connection, build efficiency and empower us to deliver the best care to our clients. As we all know being a support worker can sometimes feel isolating but moments like these remind us of the incredible community we’re all a part of.
Let’s all carry that energy into the weekend—it’s going to be a hot one, so stay cool and take care! 🩵
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Happy Sunday HC fam! Recently our Home Caring Vermont team had the privilege of attending the 20th anniversary celebration of Hope City Mission, a vital organisation making a profound difference in our community. As proud sponsors we deeply admire their unwavering dedication to providing food relief, support and hope to those in need. Hope City Mission’s initiatives extend far and wide from their compassionate crisis support programs to sustainable efforts like planting seedlings, whose produce directly benefits people facing hardship. It’s a joy to stand beside them in their mission to uplift lives and foster resilience.
Our sponsorship reflects Home Caring’s core value of giving without expecting anything in return. We’re thrilled to have contributed to initiatives like installing a sprinkler system to nurture their community garden, where fresh produce is grown for those living in crisis. Supporting Hope City Mission means investing in kindness, growth and care and we couldn’t be prouder to play a part in their incredible journey. Here’s to creating positive change together! 🩵
#happysunday #welovewecare
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