The 10 Most Effective Ways To Beat A Bad Mood

Funny thing about life is that it seems to come in waves… when the going is good, it’s really good; and when it rains it pours. It goes something like this: You’re walking out the door for work, feeling reasonably upbeat – your outfit is on point, the sun is blazing, your jam pops-up on shuffle. And then, wham! Your partner asks, “Why do you look so tired?” You forgot your Oyster card. Oops, it’s empty. And now you’re late. A rotten mood builds. Though you’re aware of what’s happening, you can’t stop it.

Feeling grumpy happens to the best of us, or more accurately – to all of us. Stress is one thing, but some days, your brain just decides it’s in a bad mood and it feels impossible to beat it. Don’t give in. Here are 10 simple ways to kill that bad mood and get you walking on sunshine in no time…

10. Eat and Exercise

Just giving your body what it needs can turn your mood around, no matter what caused it. Heck, sometimes what’s bothering you isn’t really the issue – maybe your body just needs some munch. Exercise is also vital. Release those endorphins and get outdoors, you’ll feel like a champ soon enough.

9. Do Something Creative

You may not feel like doing “work” when you’re in a bad mood, but it can actually help you think outside the box. Researchers have found that the same “narrow, alert focus on issues” that causes a bad mood can actually be a good thing when you’re being creative – and can make for more positive emotions. We’re pretty sure Shakespeare was in a terrible mood when he penned Romeo & Juliet.

8. Crack a Smile

You’ve probably heard this one before, but it bears repeating: research shows that just turning that frown upside-down actually makes you more likely to experience a positive mood. Everyone’s recommending it: Charlie Chaplin, Lily Allen, Nat King Cole and Gnarls Barkley – if it’s good enough for them!

7. Do Something Nice for Someone Else

Doing something nice for others can make you feel good – even if you’re in a bad mood. So if trying to make yourself happy isn’t working, try making someone else happy. You could take the plunge on your loved one, for example; or if they’re not around, probably best not to do that to a stranger. Just get them a coffee or something.

6. Listen to Music

One study found that 10 minutes of classical music minimised participants’ negative moods, and it’s not the only one. Find music that works for you, grab some headphones, and hit play. Maybe your bag is uplifting tunes, maybe it’s David Guetta and the to get your blood pumping. The same study suggests that listening to unknown songs is often the most effective way to release stress, our brain likes the novelty… apparently.

5. (Don’t) Vent

One of your first impulses may be to vent your frustration, but that’s actually a bad idea. Venting may feel cathartic in the moment, but it keeps your anger present rather than getting rid of it – which is, ultimately, what you want to do. Try turning that doom and gloom into positive energy (like exercising) rather than negative (like punching the wall).

4. Stop the Momentum

Unfortunately, once you recognise you’re in a bad mood, your brain continues to expect bad things – turning a bad mood into a bad day. So catch this before it starts, and make sure you don’t give your bad mood momentum.

3. Breathe…and Clear Your Mind

It’s clich , but taking a few deep breaths can really help you calm down. It’s just simplified meditating
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hich has been shown to have tons of mental benefits. So even if it seems juvenile, find a quiet space, breathe, and clear your mind for just two minutes. It’s a guaranteed mood-improver.

2. Find the Patterns (if these moods are reoccurring)

If this bad mood is just an isolated incident, then you can move on once it’s beat. But if this is something that’s happening more often than you’d like, it’s time to dig a little deeper and find the root of the problem. Keep a journal, or fill out this simple form every day to see what patterns emerge.

1. See it Through

While this might seem like strange advice, you may have to spend some time on what’s bothering you. If it’s something you need to deal with, pushing it down isn’t going to help. Instead, think through what’s making you mad – whether it’s a piece of bad news or something else – and let your brain fully process it. Don’t dwell on it all day long, but if it’s something you need to work through, you’re better off doing it now than letting it fester.

Ronan Keating may have been a pretty average artist but he did make a good point: “life is a roller coaster” – it’s a constant cycle of ups and down. Always remember that the good times are much better having got through the bad.

That said, nobody wants a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. The key to keeping it cheerful: Squash that snit before it starts.

H/T Lifehacker