It can be difficult to stay positive on some days. Something major could be ruining your mood, such as failing an exam for which you had been studying for a week, having a fight with your best friend, or simply waking up feeling a little off. Bad things happen to all of us, but how we perceive them defines how we feel.
According to a study featured on ABC News, while genetics and circumstance determine a portion of our individual happiness, research shows that up to 40% of our mood can be controlled via our thoughts and actions. This demonstrates that you can take control of your happiness if you adjust your habits and thoughts.
3 Steps to Deal With Your Mood
1. Do Not Avoid Your Feelings
You cannot run from your feelings. If you try to push them away, you’ll get exhausted and if you try to bury them down, it will fester and grow. You have to experience your emotions to process them better. So many people desperately find escapes — to avoid feeling sad. They find their escape in alcoholism, binge eating or watching television. In fact, some of you might be looking for a blog post to find new ideas to escape right now. But you have to feel your feelings to improve your mood eventually.
And I understand your apprehension. I’ve had the ‘Ignorance is bliss‘ mentality for a long time, but I’m starting to realize that it’s not so. Cry out your emotions to set yourself free. Just sit with your thoughts, use a journal, or call a friend, whatever helps you to better express yourself.
2. Learn to Let Go
Whatever happened, happened. You must accept that it’s in the past and you can’t change it. You’re only human and that’s how humans learn and grow — from their bad days. All you need to focus on, now, is to learn the lesson. Let go of the feelings that are ruining your mood. Living in the past will only make it hard for you. Know that you’ve had days like these before and it’s only temporary and it will get better tomorrow.
3. See What’s Next
All that life throws at you is meant to teach you something. You are supposed to grow through every awful thing, every tragedy, every heartbreak that you experience. These are the obstacles that are placed in your life to help you expand your awareness and understanding of yourself. I understand that it might be hard to look for a lesson when you’re in a bad mood, but if you are able to, it will be your blessing in disguise. You’ll understand how these stressful situations shape you into a better person for the future.
Ideas to Instantly Uplift Your Mood
Here are a few ideas to add good vibes to your bad days.
1. Journal
Journaling is the simplest and most efficient way to dig deeper into our thoughts. We have a tendency to overthink ourselves into a foul mood. When you start writing about it, you realize it’s not that bad. You can also practice Gratitude Journaling. Make a long list of things that you are grateful for and describe why. This would really help in shifting your perspective. What you think influences how you feel and eventually determines your mood.
Related Post : 8 Powerful Benefits of Journaling to Transform Your Life
2. Talk to a Friend
Is there a friend or family member with whom you feel comfortable sharing this? You can also talk to your mentor. It allows you to vent as well as gain some insights from a third person’s perspective, that you may not be able to see yourself. Having a company when you’re down automatically lifts your mood.
“Sometimes a friend can be the best therapist.”
3. Go Outdoors to Lift Your Mood
Move around a little bit — exercise, yoga (do the child’s pose to release some stress), or just a walk. Physical Activity of any kind releases the feel-good hormone in your body and makes you feel accomplished. Get out of your house, walk your dog, watch the sunset or just sit quietly amidst nature. Ikuo Homma developed a Japanese deep breathing technique in which taking six long deep breaths automatically makes you feel better.
4. Declutter Your Space
Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, stated that “clutter is a reminder of things that should be getting done, but aren’t.” For some people, the process of decluttering can be therapeutic. A clean room is obviously beneficial to your physical health; however, a decluttered room also reduces anxiety, improves sleep, makes you feel accomplished and gets you going.
5. Detox from Social Media
We have a habit of constantly comparing ourselves, and it has become easier for us now more than ever. You look at someone’s perfect life on Instagram and fall into a downward spiral of self loathing. What’s the point of comparing your low points to some influencer’s highlights (which, by the way, are fake half of the times). I find myself being more positive and productive, on days when I spend less time on social media. Unplug from every aspect of your life that isn’t bringing you peace, and most importantly unplug from your social media.
6. Shift Your Perspective, Change Your Mood
Your story changes when your outlook changes. Ask yourself ” What is this trying to teach me?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”— whenever something wrong happens. You are fully capable of dealing with whatever life throws at you. In fact, your failures are carefully curated to bring you closer to your end goals. You’ll know better once you understand this and begin seeing things from a different perspective. Even your idols have had their bad days. You cannot have a perfect life and you don’t need one. Perfectionism is a myth. It’s the perspective that makes all the difference. Once your perspective shifts, your results change.
7. Do Some Self Care
The best way to uplift your mood is to do more of what makes you happy. Happiness doesn’t come to you, you create it. Do the things that make you feel elevated. Some people feel better after working out, perhaps dancing improves your moods. Try painting, singing or journaling. Listen to your happy songs. Studies show that music can easily impact your spirit. Prioritize yourself and do some self care. Put on your favorite mask, have a bath, watch your favorite show. Give yourself time to rest and recharge.
What Do You Do To Improve Your Mood?
Let me know in the comments below what you do to improve your mood and what ideas you’ll try the next time you’re down.