Negative mood busters!
Feeling in a funk is no fun. In fact it sucks! We all feel down from time to time, sometimes it’s because we’ve had a bad day at school or work, sometimes it’s because something within our personal relationships isn’t going well. Whatever the reason, we may not be able to control everything that happens to us or puts us in a bad mood but we can definitely find little ways to improve how we respond to some crappy situations.
1.Be Active
* Take a walk or go for a run and try to let go of distressing thoughts. Going to a gym is great but being active outdoors really engages your mind and body.
* Dance or exercise to your favorite music. Don’t worry about how awesome you look
2. Connect
*Reach out and talk to a trusted friend or family member. If you can’t talk to someone in person then call or text.
*Give someone you care about a long hug and mean it. A long hug lasts about 20 seconds
3. Smile
*Watch a funny show or video to help you focus on the lighter side of things. The goofier the better! Now is the time to binge watch those hilarious youtube videos you love.
*Remember a funny moment and share that memory with someone else who may appreciate it.
*Sing along to your favorite upbeat songs. Try to listen tot he lyrics and see if you hear something you never noticed before.
4. Explore
* Go somewhere new. Take a new path during your walk around the neighborhood, check out a different park, or go to your new friend’s house. Take a step outside your comfort zone, even if it’s a tiny step. Exposing yourself to new situations and experiences is a great way to get out of our head and be in the moment.
* Wherever you explore, make sure to pay attention to all 5 of your senses and take in everything around you. What do you see, smell, hear, taste and feel? Take your time to purposefully thing about each.
These tips can be helpful for the typical negative mood that occurs for most everyone at one time or another. However, I strongly encourage you to seek help from a mental health professional if you feel your low or depressed mood is more persistent, impairs your day to day functioning, or leads to other concerns.
Angela Steranko, Psy.D. 1.3.17
