We all experience regular changing moods. A shift in consciousness in that we are never emotionally in one place for very long.
When you’re in a good mood, the world takes on a ‘sunny hue’. You notice more positive things and generally feel more upbeat. When you’re in a bad mood, you notice everything that isn’t good. Events and people that could be regarded as neutral get interpreted in a mistrustful way as if everyone is out to get you. During low moods we lose our ability to think clearly and perspective flies out the window.
Moods are part of the human condition
You can’t avoid fluctuating moods, we all experience them. What you can do though, is have more awareness around the current mood that you are. When you are in a low mood you can give yourself a bit more freedom to interpret the world around you. When we are in a bad mood we tend to notice things that confirm the way we feel. This is called cognitive bias.
The simple act of acknowledging your mood and then reacting mindfully can change the outcome.
Your mood changes, not your life
When we are in a positive mind-set we don’t need to mentally adjust. When you understand that it is your mood, not your life that has changed it can add perspective to the situation. This teaches you to take your thoughts less seriously. It’s a good idea to take your attention away from what you are thinking when you are in a negative mood.
It makes sense for all of us to be more aware of our moods, especially when we’re down. Everything looks different when our mood is low.
Don’t take low moods too seriously
The longer you spend time in a relationship with someone the more likely it is that you will see their low moods and vice versa. Most serious relationship problems turn out to be nothing more than two partners who have made a habit of taking each other’s moods too seriously. So, often, leaving others alone while they are in a low mood is all they need to pull themselves out of it and regain their common sense and a more positive feeling. While we can be compassionate and understanding to someone in a low mood, it is often best to give them space.
Despite the urgency we feel when we’re in a low mood, we don’t have the right frame of mind. Acknowledge the low mood and put off making decisions until you feel more upbeat. Solve your problems when you feel happier.
Practise ignoring your low moods rather than analysing them. If you find it hard to ignore, try do something fun to get you out of that mood. If the low mood persists, don’t trust them. Our thoughts are filled with all the worst case scenarious when we feel down. Scenarios that in all likelihood will never happen. Accept the ebb and flow of life. See moods as if they are waves in the sea, they come and go, You don’t need to pay attention to the ones that drag you down. Also remember what you can and can’t control.
If you can action something and feel happier for it, then go for it. Just stay safe in the knowledge that a bad mood will disappear and that your thinking is probably ‘off track’ in the meantime,
Mandy X
Photo by Christian Fregnan on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
