Everyone gets into a bad mood sometimes. You know, those times when it seems like nothing seems to be going our way and the world looks bleak. And no matter how hard we try to turn things around, nothing seems to be able to shake that bad mood.
Sometimes a bad mood can creep in out of nowhere, other days, work, family, friends and world events can be so frustrating and overwhelming that happiness and optimism feel far out of reach. But you are not alone, a bad mood can strike the best of us at any time, however that doesn’t mean we have to stay there.
If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to lift your mood and nothing seems to work, don’t worry. It is possible to shake the funk you are in, get back on track and turn it into some of the greatest opportunities to transform your life.
Here are our TOP 10 tips to shake a bad mood and lift your spirits.
#1 Acknowledge and Accept
You’ve probably heard the saying: ‘What you resist, persists.’ Fighting against a bad mood won’t make it magically disappear. At some point you simple have to acknowledge it and accept that you are in a bad mood, because in order to be able to change your mood, you have to first admit to yourself how you are feeling. Acknowledge your bad mood, accept it and know that every emotion is temporary. Then start to work on changing it.
#2 Find the Source
We’ve all been there and snapped at someone who didn’t actually do or say anything to offend us and we feel something that we aren’t entirely sure why. This is the time to start looking for an explanation and get honest. Simply lashing out won’t address your bad mood or the root that caused it. Take a moment to really figure out why you are in a bad mood. Is the internet too slow? Are you overwhelmed at work? Did a co-worker upset you? Did your partner not take out the trash? Did you yourself do something that disappointed you? Whatever the reason may be, find it and address it.
#3 Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Thoughts
Whenever we are in a bad mood, we can make the situation worse by dwelling on it and going into a downward spiral of negative feelings. When you feel a bad mood creeping in, stop yourself immediately and replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Instead of thinking that nothing’s ever going to get any better, know that a bad situation won’t last forever.
#4 Know Your Happy Place
If you do end up in a bad mood that you want to shake, start to go to your happy place, whatever that may be for you. Maybe you go out in nature and breathe the fresh air. Maybe you go through your pictures and remember that fantastic vacation you took last year. Call a friend, take a yoga class, listen to your favorite music, watch an inspiring movie. Whatever makes you feel good, go to your happy place and the positivity of even the thoughts of a fun experience will lift your mood instantaneously.
#5 Exercise
Research shows over and over again that regular exercise can dramatically improve our mood, reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Put on your sneakers and go for a run, hit the gym, take a spin class, go boxing, take a yoga class or enjoy an intense HIIT session to get your endorphins going and create a positive feeling throughout your entire body.
#6 Cultivate Gratitude
Sometimes we find ourselves waking up with a bad mood. Instead of letting that bad mood take over our day, shake it by focusing on what you are grateful for. Take a few moments and look at all the good things in your life and make a simple list of things that you are grateful for every single day. Being in an attitude of gratitude is the perfect antidote to a bad mood, because you are too busy being grateful.
#7 Practice Self-Care
When we are in a funk, it’s easy to let our self-care regimen go down the drain. However, taking care of ourselves is detrimental to making sure we feel good mentally, physically and emotionally. Besides treating yourself to a massage or a night on the town with friend, keep in mind that self-care includes eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, working out on a regular basis, getting enough sleep and plenty of rest and doing everything in our power to effectively manage our stress levels.
#8 Spend Time in Nature
One of the best stress relievers and mood lifters is to spend time in nature. Between the living plants, the sunlight and the fresh air, there is nothing better to give us a sense of aliveness and invigoration. On top of that, getting out into nature is a great way to get in some exercise, whether you take a walk on the beach, rollerblade around the park, go for a hike in the woods or ride your bike around town. It’s a simple and effective way to get you out of the dumps.
#9 Grab a Coloring Book
Coloring books are no longer just for kids. A recent study showed that adults who color mandalas – intricate geometric patterns – can significantly drop their anxiety levels and improve their mood. Just like meditation, coloring books help us to clear our mind and focus on the present moment. So grab a coloring book and let the magic being.
#10 Forgive Yourself
A lot of times when we are looking for the root cause of why we are in a bad mood, we find that it is due to feelings of regret, guilt and shame over something we have done in the past. Whether it was a mistake or giving up or not doing something, learn to forgive yourself. While forgiving ourselves is generally a little bit more challenging than forgiving others, it is detrimental for our well-being to let go of past mistakes and focus on how we can improve for the future.
A bad mood is like a rain storm. It can happen out of the blue and can disappear just as quickly if you don’t let it fester. Sometimes a bad mood happens, but we don’t have to wallow in it. Just let it happen and remember that bad moods are just as valid as good moods and once you shake off your bad mood, you may just have learned something new about yourself.
SNAP OUT OF IT AND IMPROVE YOUR MOOD
Joschi & Monika
#BoldNaked
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