5 Ways to Bust a Bad Mood
From:
Jill Daniel
138 days 4 hours 18 minutes ago
Remember that morning when your shoe heel broke on the way to an important job interview? Or the night when you were so excited to go
on a first date with the hottie who finally asked you out – and then your mom called to remind you that you'd better get married soon? Sometimes a bad mood hits us from circumstances outside of ourselves; other times we might just wake up in a “blah” mood. No matter what the cause of your sour state, you can empower yourself to turn those moody moments around. Here are 5 simple suggestions...
Yes, start counting the ways… just like you're writing yourself a love poem. Are you proud of your job, your home, or your family? Great! Now take it broader: how have you improved yourself in the last year mentally, physically, and spiritually? Take the credit. Have you treated yourself well by "just saying no" to things that drain you? Have you gone to the gym when you didn't feel like getting off the couch? Have you smiled at that co-worker who consistently grates on your nerves? Good for you, you're growing and you're learning to change your bad mood too.
2) BE PART OF THE SOLUTION: There are lots of challenges and crises in the world. Your situation may feel catastrophic, but pause and put it in perspective. Get out of your funk by volunteering to help those less fortunate (who just might be in a bad mood too). When you're in a slump, it can feel good to know that it doesn't have to be all about you.
3) SEEK SOME QUICKIE SOLITUDE: As best you can, eliminate outside influences that could be contributing to your unhappiness in this moment. Perhaps you can only cut off communication from stimuli for 5-10 minutes. Take a walk outside, go to a park, and turn off your cell phone. Do 15 deep inhales and exhales. Do one yoga position or a couple of simple stretches. In those silent moments, let go mentally; tell yourself “this too shall pass.”
4) CREATE A BAD MOOD EMERGENCY KIT: Bad moods are your own personal earthquakes, so what can you do when disaster strikes? Have a remedy kit standing by with a stock of feel-good finds – things
that always make you smile or laugh. Look at pictures in photo albums that showcase your favorite trips or birthday celebrations. ALWAYS have your 5 all-time favorite movies on hand. Pick the music that immediately gives you a mental boost so you can pop in that CD and dance the unhappiness out! Know how to find your tickets out of Miserable Moodville.
5) WHINE ONCE BUT THINK TWICE: When anything is bothering you, it helps to get it off your chest by turning to a supportive person. But make it a hard and fast rule for yourself that you only speak about the situation once to one person, or the black cloud can hover. The more you talk about how you're annoyed, the bigger the storm can grow. You’ll only become increasingly irritated the more you dwell and complain, so blow those storm clouds out with mental self-control.
There you have it! You are now equipped and ready to bust any bad mood that comes your way. Knowing you can positively change the way you feel is sure to put you in a better mood already!
~Jill Daniel
www.gratitudegroove.com
