Picking Yourself Up When Your Mood Is Low

Low mood is very, very common. It’s something that we all suffer from time to time. Even those of us who would think of ourselves as sunny and cheerful, sometimes feel down. Sometimes, there’s a clear reason for our low mood, perhaps an argument with a friend or partner, a stressful situation, ill health, or a bad week at work. Sometimes, it’s a combination of things, and sometimes, there’s nothing wrong, no clear reason for our bad mood, we just feel a little blue. Whatever the reason, it’s normal and usually nothing to worry about.  This is an ad.

Moods fluctuate, and unless it becomes a frequent occurrence or it starts to ruin your enjoyment of life, there’s usually no reason to be concerned. That doesn’t mean that it’s fun. Or that you want to wallow in your bad mood. Fortunately, you don’t have to. There are a few things that you can do to pick yourself up.


Get a Clean Break

Most of the time, just a few small changes can improve your mood considerably. But, not always. You might need a clean break divorce, a move to a new area, or a change of career. If there’s a root cause to your mood, and it isn’t short term, consider a clean break or a fresh start.

Spend Time with Friends

Spending time with people that we love, people that make us smile, and people that boost our confidence is always a good idea. Even if you don’t want to talk about your worries or concerns, just being around people that make you feel better can help.

How often have you hated the idea of going out when you have been feeling low, only to find that you’ve had a good time if you’ve pushed yourself to go? Make some plans with friends, even if it’s just to watch some TV together or get a coffee. I know that I have a particular friend that always makes me laugh, so going to lunch with her always improves my mood.

Treat Yourself

Treating yourself is a powerful thing. It’s you taking ownership of your mood and wellbeing. Treating yourself means that you are putting yourself first for a change, even if it’s just spending an hour in the bath with a book and a glass of wine.

Get Some Exercise

Exercise can be a powerful mood boost. When you exercise, you get a rush of adrenaline and endorphins. These help to boost your mood and confidence. Go for a run or to the gym if you can, but even a short walk in the fresh air could be a big help. Walking in nature has been shown to improve feelings of well-being.

Make Some Changes to Your Lifestyle

Take a good look at your lifestyle. Could any changes help to improve your mood? Could you make small changes to your diet? Try to get more exercise? Go to bed earlier? The benefits of a good night's sleep are well documented. Often, tiny changes are more sustainable and so more effective.

Make a List

Lists can be a great way to pick yourself up. Writing to-do lists can help you to get through the day when times are hard. Having a list of things that you’ve got to look forward to can give you a lift, and lists of things that you love about yourself, are great when you need a quick pick me up.

*Collaborative post