It’s normal to have days when you’re just not feeling like your best self – whether you’re stressed, angry, anxious, sad…or even just “meh”. It’s part of life, but there are actions you can take to help improve your mood if you’re having a bad day.
I feel like society has conditioned us to raise our social masks when we’re not feeling like our best selves but it’s important not to hide our emotions or push them down. When we stifle our emotions, they can manifest in other ways, which can even lead to health problems. We have a choice to either ride the wave (knowing it will pass) or we can do something to feel better.
If you’re having a hard time breaking out of a bad mood (or even if you’re just having a “meh” kind of day), here’s what I would recommend:
1. Acknowledge and accept the emotion
I know it’s challenging, but try not to label the emotion as “good” or “bad”. Be compassionate with yourself. I think it’s important to accept our emotions no matter what they are. There’s a reason for them. They are indicators of where we’re at on our “emotional guidance scale” (from the book Ask and It is Given). You can either take the necessary steps to help increase your happiness, hopefully moving at least one step up the emotional ladder, or you can wait it out, knowing it will pass. We all have bad days, but it’s important to recognize when our negative emotions are temporary – often stemming from a subconscious story we’ve been telling ourselves.
2. Try to understand where the emotion is coming from
This might not be necessary though. Sometimes our poor moods are triggered by temporary outside influences like a depressing news story or a case of road rage, but if you feel like your mood runs deeper, try the following:
- Talk to someone (friend, family member, therapist)
- Journal (with the intention of gaining clarity and direction.)
- Meditate (listening for guidance from Source/God.)
- Get outside in nature (being in a place of appreciation will most likely help lighten your mood and get you out of your head.)
- Sit with it. See if something comes up for you.
Once you understand the emotion, it makes it easier to find a solution (if there is one). Try to keep the focus on the solution, rather than the problem. It’ll make it easier to resolve. If you find there’s not a clear resolution, you might need to accept the situation as it is. Knowing in time, it will get better.
3. Find a way to feel better, even if it’s temporary
– Watch an entertaining tv show or movie. Here are some of my favorites (but Ted Lasso is still at the top of my list.)
– Read a good book: Enjoy some downtime getting lost in a good book. Here are some Amazon Best Sellers, or read a book that will help you feel better about yourself. (Some of these books were life-changing for me.)
– Spend time with friends that are supportive, loving, and hopefully make you laugh.
– Work out: Release those mood-raising endorphins. That always helps me.
Try not to dwell on feeling bad. It’s only going to expand the situation. I realize that’s not always easy to do when you’re in it, but just know these feelings will pass. If you’ve been feeling down for an extended period of time, you may be dealing with depression or another kind of mood disorder, which are so incredibly common. If this sounds like you, please read 15 Ways to Help Overcome Depression.
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