Getting back to school or the office after a winter break can be tough. You’re coming down from a holiday high – saying bye-bye to family, friends, well-balanced meals, and gifts. And being brought back to the realities of life, coupled with a vitamin D deficiency (or even calcium deficiency), makes seasonal depression a very real thing.
So what can you do to pick up your mood? Take a selfie.
According to a study conducted at the University of California, Irvine, regularly snapping selfies on your phone and sharing them with friends can actually make you happier.
The study surveyed 41 college students – 28 female and 13 male – in which participants were asked to take one of three different types of photos: a selfie while smiling, an image of something that would make the photo taker happy, and a photo that would bring another person happiness (which was then sent to that person). The subjects were asked to report their moods three times a day and to provide any details about events that may have affected their emotions.
At the end of the study, over 2900 mood measurements were collected, with all three groups noting that they experienced increased positive moods. Of the participants that were asked to take selfies, some reported that felt more confident and comfortable. Those who were asked to take photos of things that made the photo taker happy said they became more reflective and appreciative. And those who were asked to send photos said taking the photos made them calmer and connecting to family and friends helped relieve stress.
So if you think your mood has taken a turn for the worst, pick up your phone and get to snapping.
Do you think taking selfies increases your mood?
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