The only thing worse than being in a shit mood is knowing you’re in a shit mood and feeling like there is nothing you can do to change it. But there actually is, lots of things give us a mood boost some of them are pretty simple. Check out these 10 things to do. #imsocranky #youalreadyknow
1. Put on clothes that are more comfortable.
Physical discomfort is not going to help your mood; neither is slumming in clothes that make you feel crap. SO if you’re uncomfortable, either because your jeans are too tight or you feel frumpy and gross… go and get changed. Bonus points for a shower + teeth clean. Take your hectic pants off, literally.
2. Play some good music.
There is so much research into how music can alter moods. It is the most scientifically proven way of making good things happen in your mood-bag. May I suggest a 90’s girl band playlist?
3. Eat something yum that won’t make you feel bad afterwards.
The first thing we tend to do when we are in a crap mood is reach for the comfort food. But it’s no good if the thing that makes you temporarily happy, leaves you feeling worse afterwards. It’s a false ‘treat’ if it’s not making you feel better in the long run. I’m not talking about being holier than though when it comes to your eats. NO ONE IS SUGGESTING KALE HERE. I believe life and food are meant to be LOVED, but just don’t eat crap that makes you feel crapper if you want to shake off your crappy mood. Try some soup and crusty bread.
4. Consider a walk.
Either to stomp it out or to get some air. One lap around the block may help you shake it off. And if it doesn’t, it definitely won’t do you any harm. You may also want to think about jumping in the ocean (if it’s clever) or dancing like a maniac.
5. Figure out if there’s something specific that is making you sad. Is it a problem?
If there’s nothing specific making you feel shit, then as you were. But if there is something that is bothering you, first figure out if it is actually a problem. So often I do this and I’m like – well this isn’t a problem, really. And other times I’m like, yeah this is a problem, but it has a pretty easy fix.
6. Call someone who always makes you feel good.
I’m not a reach-out-when-I’m-in-a-crappy-mood-person. I never want to talk about it, so I tend to avoid talking to people. But I forget that I can talk to someone who makes me happy without talking about the fact that I have the shits, or why I have the shits. Some people are just good for the soul, make the call.
7. Stop talking, stop making decisions.
Especially if you’re at work, go and find something you can do that puts you out of the realm of human interaction. It will calm your mind. And it may also stop you from saying something you will regret.
8. Say sorry, do something on your to-do list or swallow the frog.
Getting something done that has been hanging over your head for a while is an awesome happiness boost. Is there something you have been avoiding doing? Someone you need to apologise to? A subscription that you have been meaning to cancel? A bag of clothes you need to drop to the op shop that’s been pissing you off? You’re already in a crappy mood; you may as well do the thing that you don’t want to do, it will probably make you feel better.
9. Reframe
Try to find some good in whatever’s got your goat, my son’s brand new helmet got left at the skate park the day after I gave it to him. I was GUTTED. It was bloody expensive and a birthday present from me, and it bugged me beyond logic. But then I realised that whoever has it right now may not have had a good helmet, and now they do, and maybe it may just save their little noggin.
10. Use your cranky gaze for good.
When you’re in a bad mood, it can be really easy to be cynical about everything. So use it to your advantage. Is your phone always on 5%? Go and buy a car charger. Are your drawers too full to close? Chuck some junk out. Identify small annoyances and fix them, it will give you a little boost that may even help you avoid your next crappy mood.
Not done reading? Check out my post on spreading yourself thicker.
