Although we all try to stay positive and think good thoughts, bad moods happen. Stress and unexpected events affect our mood, often in a negative way. Most of the time, bad moods come and go and all we can do it wait for it to pass. But when we’re stuck in a funk we may need to put in a bit more effort to manage the mood.
Therein lies the problem. Changing a mood while you’re in the middle of it is hard. For example, when we’re on a diet our brains often want the foods we tell ourselves we can’t eat. Fortunately, changing your mood on your terms isn’t impossible. Follow the tips and suggestions to help manage your moods.
Manage It Before It Becomes a Bad Mood
Life is stressful and that stress can get the better of us. It turns our attitudes in a bad way. The best thing to do to stop this is to nip stress in the bud before it becomes too strong to cope with. As simple as it sounds, one secret is to take time out of your day and just breathe.
If stress has a hold on you, take a time out and breathe slowly and deeply from your belly. This technique is known as breath focus and can help you to think about breathing rather than whatever it is stressing you out. Ten deep and deliberate breaths can do more than you think.
Small changes in your daily routine can also help you manage your moods.
One change you can easily make is to get moving. This doesn’t have to be heavy exercise; even if you just take a 30-minute walk each day you can see a big improvement. Not only does regular movement release endorphins, which make you feel good, but it can also help regulate your sleep cycle. We all know how irritable we can be when we don’t get enough shut-eye!
Also, try taking five minutes out of your day to appreciate the good things in your life. While it may seem trendy to complain about everything from the weather to the news, bringing these things to mind will bring you down. Focusing on the good things in life has been proven to switch your mindset from negative and dissatisfied to feelings of happiness and positivity.
Quick Fixes
Sometimes a bad mood can suddenly hit you and you need a fix, pronto. Maybe your boss just yelled at you or you’re running late for an important meeting. It’s going to be alright. There are some quick ways to squash that bad mood and get smiling again.
- Smile: Try this – force yourself to smile for 60 seconds. You may find that this simple action can trick your brain into improving your mood.
- Aromatherapy: Take a whiff of some citrus or some lavender. Citrus is uplifting while lavender is naturally stress busting.
- Chocolate: Try eating some chocolate. Dark chocolate is known for its effects with stimulating the production of endorphins. It also contains serotonin, a known antidepressant, as well as flavanols that are associated with mood-enhancing effects.
Scientific studies may not completely understand every aspect that goes into the relationship between cannabis and mood, but we’ve known for a while now that cannabis helps adjust your attitude. Back in the 17th Century, an Englishman named Robert Burton published a book called The Anatomy of Melancholy. In that book, Burton recommended cannabis as an antidote for his depression. One study even found that cannabis can alter our response to negative images and emotions by stimulating the endocannabinoid system in the brain.
Considering that cannabis can enhance mood, knowing what kind of cannabis is right for your emotional state is necessary. For most people, sativa-heavy strains tend to be more uplifting while indica strains tend to be relaxing. If you need to keep up with work or other functions, then a sativa might be best. If you’re trying to wind down for the night and get a restful sleep, try an indica.
Some strains are already well known for their ability to lift mood and promote happiness.
- Pineapple Kush – This hybrid strain is known for busting stress, depression, and pain. It provides an uplifted, happy, and euphoric high that’s sure to elevate any
- Laughing Buddha – This sativa is known for leaving those people battling with depression Users report an uplifting, happy, euphoric high that battles depression.
- King Kong – This hybrid has long-lasting effects that target pain, depression, anxiety, and appetite. What you get is a high that is relaxed while still being happy and uplifted. Just what you need after a stressful day.
- Pearl Scout Cookies – Another hybrid that pushes a THC content past 23%. Users claim it provides an uplifting euphoria that spurs creativity, happiness, and cerebral energy.
- NYPD – This sativa delivers a high that users say is a happy middle ground between racy and lethargic. They also report that it busts pain and stress while also providing users with a relaxed, happy high.
- Harlequin – This sativa offers a high that relaxes and keeps you focused while also being It busts pain and depression, too.
- Purple Haze – This time-tested sativa is well known for its ability to lift mood, providing a happy, euphoric high that brings out creative impulses.
Journaling
This isn’t the kind of journaling where you record your daily activities, although that kind of journaling can be helpful, too. We’re talking about a journal of your moods which can help you to realize triggers and recognize the warning signs of your strong emotions. Not only can journaling assist with that, but it can also help you see what is causing the problems that affect your attitude and what solutions might be beneficial.
While a bad mood might be inconvenient, especially if you have a social function, bad moods are a part of life. Given time, they usually pass but if you find yourself in a bad mood often or for long periods of time, you may benefit from speaking to your doctor about your moods.