1. Become a thought watcher
Next time you find yourself in a foul, down, blue or otherwise unproductive mood pay attention to your thoughts. What are they telling you?
What do you notice about how you feel when you think those thoughts?
Does one event lead you toward a downward spiral of negative thinking?
As you become more attuned to your thinking patterns and reactions to those patterns you can begin to take steps to shift from negative thinking toward thoughts that will improve your mood. Remember, where thoughts go energy follows.
So if you spend a lot time thinking about things that cause you to feel distressed or sad, then you will likely feel distressed and/or sad.
2. Action leads to motivation
There is nothing harder than doing the dishes, cleaning the house, or running errands when you're feeling down. A lot of times we wait and wait and wait to feel better before taking on any tasks, especially those we'd rather not do.
The difficulty is, the longer we wait to feel better the longer we put off things that need doing, the larger the tasks become, and the worse we feel. In the end sometimes we just have to pull ourselves out of our comfort zone and do what needs to be done, even if we don't feel like it.
Most times you'll notice an immediate improvement in how you feel, which can then motivate you to go on to the other things you've been putting off.
3. Restore beauty
Are you one of those people who, when you start to feel bad, you put off everything from cleaning the house to washing your hair?
Restoring beauty is similar to 'action leads to motivation' but with an emphasis on self care and improving the quality of your immediate environment.
When you feel down washing your hair, putting on your favorite cloths, and straightening up your living space, office, desk, or car...can all improve your mood. Our visual senses take in a lot of information. When we are surrounded by pleasurable looking things it's easier to feel good.
4. Improve your gratitude
One of the quickest ways I know to get out of a bad mood is to focus on what I am grateful for. This is not an easy practice but it's a great way to shift gears; and usually an improved mood can be sustained for a while. You might have to force this one a little bit at first.
For example if you are in a bad mood it would be an improvement just to have gratitude that the guy in the speeding car who just swished past you didn't scratch your car or drive you off the road.
Starting with little annoyances will allow you to build a list of things you are grateful for. Remember even if you think you have nothing to be grateful for don't be afraid to fake it. Make stuff up until you can really start to see those precious things you are grateful for.
5. Contribute something meaningful
Like gratitude -- sharing something of meaning with others can be uplifting not only to our moods but also to our spirits'. If you are an extrovert look for a local cause that interests you and volunteer for an hour. If engaging with strangers is not your cup of tea consider a friend or family member who might benefit from your generosity.
Perhaps you can pick up some groceries for your elderly aunt, or offer to take the neighbors trash to the curb, or read a favorite book to your daughter when she least expects it. If you are comfortably able, make a donation, plant a tree, water a flower, rescue a pound animal. The point is to find something that is meaningful to you and giving it your time and attention.
6. Get creative
Listen to music, make a collage, sew, plant a garden, learn to needlepoint, write a poem, paint, read a book and write your thoughts about it...this is an area that is totally open to you to explore. If you worry you lack in creative talent but always wanted to paint, take a class - or better yet buy a giant box of crayons and go to town with some oversized paper.
Rearrange a cupboard, color coordinate your closet, change some of the pictures on your wall, or go through old photos and frame them. There is no one way to express yourself creatively; giving yourself permission just to have fun is a huge first step toward feeling a lot better.
7. Develop a 'happiness' routine
You're probably wondering "what in the heck is a 'happiness' routine." A happiness routine is a series of activities you do in a short amount of time give you feelings of pleasure. For example, my happiness routine consists of lighting favorite incense.
Sometimes I will add music, or writing time, read a chapter in a favorite book, or grab up one of my healing rocks and put in my pocket. I have several things I do individually or in combination that make up my happiness routine. For me scent is the quickest route. I will sometimes use certain sprays that are lightly scented which I associate with feeling good; such as rose water.
8. Eat for your health
If you are anything like me you gravitate toward the junk food the minute you're in a funk. It has taken me years of modifying my habits to be able to eat more nutritious foods when I'm in a mood. Some of my little tricks are to keep unsweetened carob chips around the house when I am desperate; but mostly I have turned around my habit of heading for the junk food into a desire to eat healthier when I'm feeling badly.
Over the years I noticed the worse I ate the worse my moods became. Now I try to think of what food will lift my overall health and help balance out my moods. Besides my emergency stash of carob chips, I have started to make elaborate stews, roasted veggies, and other warming, comforting treats. When I eat them and know I am getting good nourishment it makes me feel better that I am taking good care of myself.
There are certain foods to stay away from when you're feeling down - high sugar or excessively starchy foods which can cause your blood sugar to spike and drop further adding to your bad mood. Generally speaking, there are also hundreds of nutritional supplements that can improve your mood. Consult with a professional to learn more about the kinds of natural mood remedies available to you.
9. Lets get physical
By far the hardest one for me. I can't stand to exercise and I certainly can't stand the gym. But if you feel uplifted there then by all means get moving. There are a couple of key things about physical activity and improving mood. First of all you don't have to go overboard. Literally a little movement can go a long way. Do some stretches, dance around your house to a favorite song, take a walk, do laundry, or any other thing that gets you moving. Another important factor is to make sure you get plenty of sunlight and water.
10. Commit to trying something different
The most important thing if you have ongoing problems with your mood -- if you feel down more often than not and nothing you try seems to help try something different! Consider therapy, energy healing, acupuncture, body work, or any other 'thing' that appeals to you. The point is a negative or depressed mood doesn't have to rule your life. You have a choice to make it better and there are many, many, options that can help. If you feel your mood severely impacts your daily life please get professional help.
As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, natural empathy, Certified Energy Practitioner and Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Lisa offers practical advice with a touch of spirit guided intuition to assist you with all matters of the body, mind, and spirit. http://www.healinghearttherapies.com
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