How to Beat a Bad Mood

There are days when we all find ourselves down, where no matter how bright and sunny the weather, we are sad or distracted…or just plain irritable. Now, you can eat yourself silly, do some binge shopping, or spend time snapping at everyone who crosses your path, or you can do something about that bad mood. What if there were a few mood boosters, that didn’t require a great deal of time or money, that one could include in a hectic day. This would not be a guaranteed list and no substitution for actual help, if that is necessary and wouldn’t take the place of other healthy habits including enough sleep, a good diet and exercise, but rather be a way to alter your perception before you attack the next person to ask a rather innocent question of you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Offer to help someone. The key is to focus externally. Carry someone’s package for them or, open a door for someone. Being helpful offers an immediate boost to the spirit, even if it is something small.

2. Talk to a friend. It may not be the easiest thing to fit into your schedule between all the work on your desk and the 20 meetings you have scheduled or whatever else your day may consist of, but a quick call to someone who is beyond what’s stressing you can be an instant mood booster. Even if neither of you has time for an in-depth discussion, the contact will do you good, and who knows, it may be helping the other person too.

3. Change your space. No planning is necessary, nor does it have to be foreign or expensive- though if you can, then go for it. Just changing our location can drastically improve our moods as it also alters our viewpoint about what may be important or not. Change rooms, change travel routes, dine at a different restaurant…consider the possibilities.

4. Listen to another’s problems. Being a good listener is often hard for some of us, and can be especially hard when we’re down. However, pausing to listen to someone else talk about their life can be enlightening and inspiring. It’s a great way to change our focus, particularly when we’re dragging.

5. Have a sinful treat. It’s easy to binge when we’re feeling bad but eating something rich and self-indulgent shouldn’t be wrought with guilt. Pick a treat you enjoy more than any other and make eating it a leisurely and purposeful experience.

Tips & Warnings

• There is nothing wrong with being down, but there has to be a point you decide to end it and get beyond what is troubling you. Give yourself a period in which to be in that mood, and after that point, be active in getting past it.