5 ways to improve your bad mood (without alcohol).
I woke up this morning feeling happy & then I got a message that took away my upbeat mood in an instant. It derailed plans I had and questioned the next steps that I thought I was going to take.
My first thought was screw this, my second was well now I have an excuse to have a drink tonight, and my third was STOP RIGHT THERE.
I am still me even in this terrible mood and I have decided not to drink.
I haven’t changed since yesterday, or since my happy mood this morning. External influences are always going to get in the way and enable me to question my thoughts, beliefs, hopes and fears.
All the work I have done on myself, all the books I have read, all of the times I have chosen to stick with myself rather than lose myself are still with me.
There are other ways to change my state and get myself out of this bad mood.
When we pay attention and notice how we feel, and recognise the mood we are trying to escape, we can intercept ourselves before we reach for a drink. Dry January still intact!
There are other ways, besides booze or food or whatever self destructive habit you turn towards, to get yourself out of a bad mood and make yourself feel better.
1.Listen to your favourite music & dance around
I have a ‘Positive playlist’ saved to my Spotify. It’s full of all my favourite songs. If I’m out of the house & need to pick myself up quickly, I’ll put this on. If I can, i’ll go into the toilet of my office & have my own 2-minute dance party!
2.Take yourself for a walk
Quite often going for a walk is the last thing you want to do, It’s freezing (and knowing the UK probably raining too), but physically moving and getting outside can give you a whole new perspective on your day. Distracting yourself from your bad mood, make a point of actually noticing the scenery around you. If the walk alone doesn’t help, ring a friend who makes you laugh.
3.Have a shower
An option when you’re at home. Rather than hanging around the house feeling rubbish, have a shower and physically change your state. Taking a quick shower, especially one that alternates cold and hot water, can help increase circulation and help get rid of negative energy and bad moods.
4.Long bath and a cup of tea
Now I’m not suggesting you have a shower and a bath (although I have been known to do it) but if a shower doesn’t feel right for you, boiling the kettle, making a cup of your favourite tea (my current favourite is Pukka’s Love) nqd running a hot bath can work wonders. If you can take 30 minutes out from your day, or evening, to get some headspace and have a bath then you can wash away even the worst of moods.
5. Restorative yoga
Don’t roll your eyes. I’m not suggesting you do sun salutations and a headstand. Taking 10 minutes, or 2 if that’s all you’ve got, to relax into a restorative yoga pose can dissolve a bad mood.
Next time you’re feeling rubbish, try Legs-Up-The-Wall.
How do you get yourself out of a bad mood? I’m always keen to find new ways to show myself a bit of self-care.
All my love, L xx
January 6, 2017 @ 8:05 AM
Thank you for your words today they are what I needed on waking
Had 4 dry days yesterday , visited grumpy mother came home to grumpy husband and that was it 4 wine and 4 hob nobs down, now feel awful on waking BUT your post has helped thank you x
January 6, 2017 @ 5:25 PM
Thanks
My favourite thing to do is write a gratitude list
Yup.?
Actually write down at least 20 things I am grateful for. Even like ‘ I have a comfy bed’, ‘I had breakfast this morning’, ‘I love my dog’, Coffee and toast and marmalade tastes sooooo gooood together’, ‘Just lit a log fire, smells nice’, ‘bumped into a friend at the supermarket – so nice to see her’….. keep going, it works ☺
January 7, 2017 @ 4:08 PM
Thank you for your post.
What really cheers me up is going for a run. In addition to shifting my attention to something else, it makes me feel good about myself as I maintain my shape.
January 12, 2017 @ 1:00 AM
Those are great options. I like going for a walk because it gets you out of the place where you are feeling down and sometimes it’s easier to process things in a new environment.
January 12, 2017 @ 1:11 AM
Great post! I am doing a Dry January so I needed some help. Thanks for sharing your tips; I am huge fan of the music and dancing tip.
February 26, 2017 @ 5:48 AM
Isn’t it funny how you just never know what will work? An extra day or two or rest usually does it for me, but I’m glad you were able to push through and get it done! Her78#&21e;s to a better week next week!Laura recently posted..
January 12, 2017 @ 3:32 AM
a shower yes! As a busy mom of four little ladies I sometimes don’t even have time for that.
January 12, 2017 @ 4:27 AM
When I’m in a crappy mood, I usually like to draw. It just relaxes me and makes me think of pretty things. 🙂
January 12, 2017 @ 4:32 AM
Yasss! Long baths and walks always help 🙂 As for me, I like journaling to improve my bad mood instantly. Thanks for sharing!
January 12, 2017 @ 8:36 AM
A good book is also a nice idea when you’re in a bad mood! 🙂
January 12, 2017 @ 10:23 AM
Some really great ideas here!! I also want to add if you have a little woof-woof or kitty that hugging them and stroking them definitely helps!!!
January 12, 2017 @ 2:00 PM
Thanks for this! My total fav is getting lost in a book and drinking copious amounts of coffee at an alarming rate! I love no.1 and no.4.
xo
January 12, 2017 @ 6:49 PM
SHOWER or bath always helps me when I am in a bad mood. Cup of tea too. I am glad I came across this post.
Divine
January 12, 2017 @ 7:14 PM
All of these are so effective! Certainly had to start thinking outside the wine box once I got pregnant 😉 My favorite is to throw on some good music and cook something up in the kitchen!
January 14, 2017 @ 8:43 PM
A hot shower and a long walk, that’s my therapy!
February 4, 2017 @ 9:05 AM
Lovely post.
Alcohol can make your bad mood so much worse! I love that you have dancing and yoga in here – two different ends of the scale but both amazing ways of cheering yourself up.
Dani x | http://www.flourishingfreelancer.com