It is not always on a Monday that you get the blues. It can just grip you at any time of the day or week. Life, suddenly, appears to be grim, and end up feeling low and depressed for no reason at all. Everyone faces this at some point of their lives. The good side to the story is that you have the power to drive away those clouds by cultivating simple habits to counter it… And it’s not expensive too! Here are some simple, but effective tips on how to beat your bad mood:
1. Switch to some form of comedy
Instead of watching sop stuff and melodrama, just switch to a sitcom or revisit your favourite comedies. The unusual and unpredictable situations and lines not only gets you ROFLing around, but also drives away the clouds. Watching your favourite characters’ misadventures can also be cathartic in a way. However, remember to skip the dark ones as you are not ready for ironies at that time.
2. Listen to happy music
How much ever you may like them, when you are feeling down avoid those soulful numbers and go for music that is upbeat. Music, it is said, can trigger the release of dopamine, which helps uplift the mood. It also helps when you set a peppy, upbeat tune as your alarm to get up in the morning. The peppy tune will also strike a chord with your kids, and they’ll enjoy waking up to an energetic tune, before going to the school. Music also helps you get rid of the lethargy that still lingers on when you wake up. Play some cheery songs in the background as you go through your morning rituals. See the difference it makes to your mood.
3. Talk it out
Get on the phone or go and visit a friend with whom you can share your problems. This has to be a friend who has a positive attitude to life. It will boost your morale, and your friend might be able to give you a solution or show you another side to the problem which may not have occurred to you at all.
4. Take comfort in pets
Snuggling with your own pet or a friendly pet of your neighbour can work wonders for your mood. Petting an animal promotes the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin, serotonin and prolactin. You can also talk to them about your problems without worrying about whom they will go to reveal it all later.
5. Go for a workout
When you’re feeling upset, working out might be the last thing on your mind., but you must go for it. Reason: just five minutes of exercise can release endorphins, a hormone that helps to boost your mood for up to 12 hours. And you don’t have to hit the gym for that – a basic session of stretching or yoga can soothe the body and release those happy hormones that will refresh your mind. Meditation is a great stress-relief technique too, it helps you to sail through a rough day. But of course, if you feel up to it, a jog in the morning or a session at the gym is perfect to get the blood flowing, increase circulation and stimulate your senses.
6. Keep away from social media
Many of them who are active on the social networking sites tend to brag and indulge in a tell-all of how they spend their lives. Seeing those posts and pictures of people celebrating may make you depressed as you compare your own life with theirs. It would be wise to avoid getting on to these sites at such times and if convenient, you can also ignore the phone for some time.
7. Try your hand at creativity
Pick up some hobby that makes use of your creative skills and get busy with that. It might be some DIY (do-it-yourself) workshop of painting or handicrafts but keep yourself busy. You can also try cooking or baking, so try a recipe you are comfortable with. It will help keep the mind busy and also keep you away from junk food — the first thing you may want to reach out to when upset.
8. Pamper yourself
Visit your favourite salon and book a spa treatment or an Ayurvedic massage that will help release tension knots from your body. If you want to indulge yourself at home, put a face mask on, paint your nails bright, have a luxurious bath with soothing music on. You can also try some aroma therapy — just relax to a blend of soothing oils like lavender, geranium or rosewood in a diffuser or massage them into your shoulders and back. If this is not your scene and your heart desires to just curling up in bed with a book, do that. Whatever it is, remember it’s important to take care of yourself first.