The Top 10 Ways To Overcome A Bad Mood
It’s not easy to overcome a bad mood, but the only person who can help you is you! Here are a dozen mood-boosting strategies to help you get into a more optimistic frame of mind.
We’ve all been there: something infuriating or frustrating occurs, and the rest of the day is spent in a foul mood. And what’s more frustrating is that someone can frequently recognize they’re in a bad mood but be unable to snap out of it.
However, you and those around you do not have to tolerate those foul moods; rather, you can take action to change them. By following our top 10 tips for overcoming a bad mood, you’ll be able to address your negative mindset in a variety of ways — and if one doesn’t work, another will!
Increase Your Light
At certain times of the year, especially during the winter, the lack of daylight hours can have a detrimental effect on your mood. Certain individuals develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is far worse.
Whether or not you suffer from SAD, it’s always beneficial to increase the amount of light in your life. You could make an effort to spend more time outside during daylight hours, as this has been shown to improve mood.
Exercise Can Help You Overcome A Bad Mood
Exercise is an excellent way to lift your spirits. You will reap the benefits if you can motivate yourself to exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that make you feel good; therefore, by engaging in physical activity, you will automatically feel better.
A game of squash might be a good idea, as you’ll be able to vent your frustrations on the court. On the other hand, if you take your sport too seriously and are a chronic loser, a non-competitive form of exercise may be your best bet.
Avoid People Who Are Constantly Putting You In A Bad Mood
While this may seem self-evident, there are some people who have an uncanny ability to put you in a foul mood. To be sure, some situations are unavoidable — for instance, a work colleague or your boss. However, there will be individuals in your social circle whom you can avoid. Certain people have the ability to drain you and leave you in a foul mood. It’s best to avoid these individuals whenever possible or to keep contact with them to a minimum.
Consume Chocolate to Improve Your Mood
It’s incredible how many people immediately reach for their favorite chocolate when they’re feeling down. It’s probably not a bad idea, as chocolate is known to have mood-lifting properties due to the release of serotonin, the brain’s natural mood elevator. If you discover that chocolate works for you, a small amount of it may not be a bad thing. However, if you’re the type who suffers from guilt, it’s best to avoid it.
Consider the Less Fortunate
If you’re in a particularly foul mood, it’s possible that you believe everything is going wrong for you. In this case, you must reclaim your sense of perspective on life. Take a stroll, perhaps during your lunch break, and observe the people around you.
Chances are you’ll pass at least one person who would gladly accept your problems in exchange for a roof over their head. Alternatively, you may observe someone disabled or elderly attempting to enter a store. If you can, develop a sense of perspective — things may not appear as bad as they appear!
Playing ‘Positive’ Music
Everybody has a favorite song, whether it’s a stirring classical composition or a bouncing pop tune. Listening to one of your favorite tracks — perhaps one that reminds you of a happy time in your life — will assist you in lifting your spirits. And why not take it a step further by belting out your favorite song at full volume? You could even do this if you find yourself drawn into a bad mood while stuck in traffic — as long as you don’t mind being amused by other motorists.
When you’re in a foul mood, it’s sometimes beneficial to isolate yourself until you’ve gotten it out of your system. If you continue to be around people, you risk causing a reduction, which will exacerbate your bad mood.
Discuss What Has Caused You To Be In A Mood
If you’re in a foul mood, there’s almost certainly a reason for it. Determine why you’re in a foul mood and, if possible, discuss it with a friend. Simply discussing your issue with someone will make you feel a thousand times better. After all, the adage “a problem shared is a problem halved” rings particularly true. However, if you are unable to speak with a friend, go outside and let out a mighty scream or have a good cry. Bear in mind that stowing it all away will only serve to dampen your mood.
Make Positive Contacts
On the other hand, the converse of avoiding negative people is establishing contact with positive ones. There are some individuals who have a profoundly positive effect on us. They are the type of people with whom you will almost never argue, or who will make you laugh with their sense of humor.
Perhaps you’ve lost touch with them recently; why not reconnect with them and give yourself a boost? Do not wait for them to initiate contact — initiate it yourself. Surrounding yourself with positive people has been shown to improve mood.
Get A Pet
Pets have been shown in studies to actually help us feel better. To begin, animals can be quite amusing at times, which will help you laugh. Even stroking a pet has been shown to reduce heart rate and increase calmness. And if you get a dog that requires frequent walks, you’ll get some exercise and exposure to natural light, which will contribute to your overall happiness.
Make An Effort To Avoid Worrying
Worry is a significant source of unhappiness. The simple answer is to stop worrying; after all, worrying accomplishes nothing. If it is something you are capable of dealing with at the time, then do so, and hopefully the worry will subside. If you are unable to deal with it immediately, consider potential solutions and remain optimistic rather than obsessing over a problem.
Anyone can become more optimistic and upbeat simply by employing some of the techniques mentioned previously. When you experiment with a few of them, you will undoubtedly feel a weight lifted from your shoulders and become more optimistic. The critical factor in all of this is an optimistic outlook. Accepting that bad moods are a natural part of life can immediately mitigate the impact of a bad mood — and having an optimistic outlook means you’re more likely to actively seek out the positive.
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In this case, you must reclaim your sense of perspective on life. Take a stroll, perhaps during your lunch break, and observe the people around