Emotions are sign posts for things in life and we should always pay attention to them, acknowledging what our feelings mean and using them as a guide to making changes and decisions.
This doesn’t mean that we should dwell in negative emotional states and allow our feelings to control us for periods of time. Particularly when it’s our fears driving the state, and not reality itself. (Note that I’m just talking about bad moods here – if you’re dealing with something more serious then please seek professional advice!).
It’s easier said than done, but there are sure-fire ways to prevent a crappy mood from taking us into a bad day – or even week.
Here’s my personal list of healthy quick fixes for a bad mood.
Go for a run. Any time I am feeling a bit down, hitting the pavement – particularly when I can get out into nature and breathe fresh air – works a treat. Sure, it requires motivation to get going but once I’m running it has not once failed to make me feel good. (Except perhaps the time a magpie swooped and got my ear).
Do something different. The worst thing you can do when in a crappy mood is push yourself to work harder and longer, or sit at home and dwell in your state. Get outside with new people or go to a different setting to change your head space. It doesn’t really matter what it is – as long as it’s not something you dislike doing (such as grocery shopping, anyone?).
Get creative. Often I find that a bad mood can be brought about by too much pent-up energy and not enough blowing off steam (read: the way life can get monotonous). Take the time to do something that interests you and makes you feel fulfilled (at least afterwards!). Often we write tasks off as too time-consuming, boring or laborious – it’s easier to watch TV, I know. But I think it’s so important to our spiritual wellbeing to have a creative outlet and the benefits almost always surpass the effort.
Spend time with friends. This one is almost always an immediate mood changer because you can forget about your own problems for a little while and extend your empathy to another’s life. Or at least, you can have a good vent together about stuff (a problem shared is one halved, right?)
Go to bed early. Nothing creates that feeling of being refreshed, healthy and happy better than a good night’s sleep. I’ve found that again, bad moods can be brought about by being over-tired and just trying to squeeze too much into the day. A good rest will certainly help.
Ultimately, know that the mood doesn’t own you and it will pass! Meanwhile, just try to keep those closest to you at a safe distance…
What do you find works to lift you into a positive headspace?