5 ways Fashion can help boost your mood
Depression is real. And around this time of the year, people suffer from seasonal depression. Per the Mayo Clinic "Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year. If you're like most people with SAD , your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody."
I'm not dealing with seasonal depression but to be honest, I have been dealing with depression. Recently I lost one of my best friends to cancer. Watching someone you love suffer is definitely one of the hardest things anyone can imagine. Regardless of what she was going through, she stayed strong until the very end. I'm going to miss her beautiful smile, that infectious laugh, her amazing advice, and her great fashion sense.
One of the things that bonded us was our love for fashion. She and I would send outfits to one another chatting about trends and what not to wear. We both understood the power of fashion and how one outfit could change your mood.
Fashion is powerful. to quote the great Deon Sanders “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good.” Now, we aren't on a football field making big plays but we are going through life and dealing with everything it's throwing at us. So getting dressed up to help boost your mood is important. I think they call it dopamine dressing. Self.com says "The thinking behind dopamine dressing is that wearing clothes you love will boost your mood." I am a believer in this.
If you are going through a hard time this holiday season and want to use fashion as a way to help you, here are some tips;
Open your closet and pull out outfits that bring you joy. You don't have to go out and break the bank on something new
Reach for color. Bright colors are an instant mood booster. I own a bright yellow suit that makes me feel so good every time I put it on. Don't be afraid of color.
Pinterest is your friend. When I'm stuck and need inspiration, I tend to go to Pinterest or my Instagram feed. I look for what I already have in my closet and find something similar on my feed to gain inspiration.
Step outside the box. It's so easy to reach for the same outfit you always wear. And sometimes that's ok. But, trying something new like adding a pop of color to an existing outfit or wearing a bold accessory can help boost your confidence.
Wear a piece of clothing that has a special memory. This is why I can't get rid of anything (HaHa)There are things in my closet that unlock memories. Things that make me smile when I think about where I was or who I was with. Grab that special scarf or pair of earrings and go down memory lane. When I do this, this usually sparks creativity to create an outfit that will bring me happiness.
I hope I've inspired you to find happiness with a little help from fashion.
