The world is filled with negative things, making it hard to stay focused on the positive. There is always something to get us down. How do you cope when all the negative things in your life start to take a toll on your mood? Do you let it get the best of you? Or do you fight back and reclaim your joy?
We all get in bad moods, and that is OK! But there are ways to improve your mood so that you don’t project negativity into the world. Here are ten effective ways to improve your mood.
10. Chase away negative thoughts
Negative thoughts love sad company. Oftentimes when a negative thought comes to mind, there will be more that follow. You have to fight this off and speak to yourself! Recognize the negative thought and try to change it to a positive one.
When you start doing this every time you have a negative thought, you will train your brain to find the positive in negative situations. Doing so will result in fewer bad moods overall. Do not entertain thoughts that are taking you nowhere but down.
9. Decide who you can call if dark moods overwhelm you
The mind is a battleground! It determines what you attract in life and leads you in the direction. Everything you do or become is a result of how your mind works. So if you are going through a dark time in your life, it is crucial to have someone you can call at a moment’s notice. We can’t get through everything alone. Talking about how you are feeling will help you more than you think. Everyone needs somebody to help us sometimes figure out the next step forward to our happiness.
8. Sometimes you need a health professional
Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you are depressed and feel like you can’t cope. It’s the smart thing to do! When you find a good therapist, they will counsel you through your life. During these unprecedented times, many people are struggling with their mental health. You are not alone, and there is no shame in seeking help from a professional. It may improve your life more than you think.
7. Get the right amount of sleep
Lack of sleep can make you miserable throughout the day. When you don’t sleep enough, you may get more headaches, be unproductive, feel lethargic and antisocial. We are all busy people, and thoughts tend to race through our heads at night. Remember, those thoughts can wait, and you deserve to relax. It is best to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night.
6. Be careful about life-changing decisions
Unless it’s a decision that you and everyone around you thinks is the right thing to do, it is best not to make life-changing decisions when you’re going through a dark time. Emptying your bank account, leaving your spouse or quitting your job is a bad idea when in a depressive state of mind. Your decision-making skills are as down as you are!
5. Take it easy on yourself
Improving your overall mood is never a sudden affair; it’s a gradual change. You could be seeing a therapist every week and making improvements every day but still regress for a day or two. Don’t despair and blame yourself. That can put you back miles! Make the adjustment you need to make and keep trying.
4. Be present
You can get a whole new perspective on life by taking a step away from all of the noise. It is easy to get caught up in a fast-paced lifestyle and not even realize that you are unhappy. Taking time for yourself each day will help you be more present in life. Whether you use this time to meditate, walk, journal, read, etc., it will greatly improve your mood.
Grounding yourself in nature is great, especially since we are all spending more time inside. Fresh air and scenes of nature are quite calming if you take the time to notice! Find happiness in the little things. Get outside and take in some lush greenery or a collage of bright, beautiful flowers. You’ll be exercising your mind and body!
3. Give back
Doing something for someone besides yourself can help improve your mood. You’ll find it satisfying and rewarding to make someone smile. Wallowing in self-pity is not the way to go. Helping someone who is in a worse position than you will make you realize how good you have it. You can offer your services at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Or even donate to a charity that you feel passionate about.
2. Remember what makes you happy
A good way to remember what makes you happy is by journaling daily. When you have a journal, you can look back in it and see what you were doing differently when you were happier. Once you figure out what you were doing differently, you can make adjustments and see if your life improves.
1. Streamline your life!
Drop off some stuff in your life that contributes to your stress! Make sure that you are not taking on more than you can manage. Not everyone can handle a stressful lifestyle! If you don’t have time for yourself, then you have too much on your plate. Take an inventory now to see what things in your life you can get rid of to make life more simple and enjoyable.
Your mental health is your responsibility, so allow no-one or nothing to steal your joy.
