How to Lift Yourself Up When You’re Feeling Down
Moods can be like the weather. We know when it rains that in time the sunny sky will come back—it’s just covered by clouds. Our moods can be the same way.
Why? Have you ever said something to a friend or loved one you wished you could take back? Have you ever sent a text or email you later wished you could recall? Where do you think you were on the mood elevator? Yes, in both cases, you were way down, and if you had checked your feelings, you would have known.
So how can you stay in a better place more of the time, and how do you climb back up if you are already down? Here are some pointers.
Take better care of yourself.
There is a direct connection between physical health and mental health. We catch colds more easily when we are run down because our immune system gets impaired, and we catch moods more easily when we are run down, too. Sleep might be the biggest factor; a good, deep, full night’s sleep is incredible in restoring us, and yet most of us are sleep deprived. Exercise is a powerful mood lift, as well; vigorous exercise clears the mind, and that brings us back to our naturally best self. Anything we can do to quiet the mind, from mediation to periodic deep breaths, impacts our state of mind.
Find pattern interrupts.
Because our thinking creates our moods, anything that shifts us from low-mood-state thinking helps. Call a very positive friend and talk. Do something to help someone else. Take a walk. Find what works for you.
Maintain your perspective.
More specifically, a gratitude perspective. When we are down, we have lost perspective. We have forgotten all we have to be grateful for. Because our thinking creates our experience of life, if our thoughts are consumed by what we don’t have and don’t like, that is how life will feel. If we can count our blessings and think of the roof over our head, our health, the friends and family we have, and the opportunities that always lie ahead, we gain perspective and life looks better.
Yes, moods will come and go, but we do play a role in them. And remember, moods can be like the weather. We know when it rains that in time the sunny sky will come back—it’s just covered by clouds. Our moods can be the same way.