How to Make a Bad Mood Disappear
By Sandy Schroeder
Some days are easier than others. When you wake up, and there's a fresh bag of your favorite coffee beans, and lots of veggies for a super egg frittata, life is good. It's easy to smile. Other mornings, you may have forgotten to get coffee, or worse, to buy cat food, and life is not so great. If your cat is like mine, you will have to remedy the situation soon as you dish out breakfast from a backup bag of dry cat food.
Whatever the morning cues, bad moods happen, but there's no need to stay off center. WellAndGood.com suggests beating those bad moods with a few simple steps.
Give yourself a few moments - When everything goes sideways, pause for a minute and let yourself groan, but don't linger too long. The sooner you start moving the better you will feel.
Get your blood moving - Head out for a brisk walk or a quick run to help your mind and body bounce back. Or have your coffee on the deck and do a few stretches. Movement is practically a foolproof way of erasing a bad mood.
Do some mindful assessments - Think about how your bad mood started and ask yourself if you were critical or compassionate of your predicament. Recognizing the beginning sensations, and remembering to cut yourself some slack, can help you minimize bad moods in the future.
Count your blessings - As you contemplate the morning issues, take a minute to think of all of the good things you and your family enjoy. Time for each other, good food, and a comfortable home are things to be grateful for. Plan some volunteer efforts for the weekend to help those who are not so fortunate. You and your family might lend a hand at an animal shelter, senior center, or children's hospital.
Connect with an upbeat friend - Call or text that friend who always makes you laugh. Meet for coffee or lunch and come away smiling. Just talking through a down period with a loyal friend can change everything.
Make some new plans - Get the day moving with some fresh ideas for the evening. This might be a good time to barbecue and eat on the patio, or invite friends over to watch old movies and enjoy a pizza or taco supper.
Finally, don't expect miracles - Accept the fact that down days happen, and be glad there are lots of up ones too. You might consider what worked best to turn them around, and repeat those steps next time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Zionsville, Ind.