You may feel tired, lacking confidence, frustrated, angry and worried. But a low mood will often pass after a couple of days or weeks – and there are some easy things you can try and small changes you can make that will usually help improve your mood.
If your mood does not subside after a few weeks, it may be possible that you are suffering from depression or another mental illness. While these tips may help you, we recommend you see a medical professional to get full support.
Increase helpful activity
Low mood can stop us from doing important or enjoyable activities. Try listing these things and doing some each day. Start with easier ones and, as you progress, your mood should improve.
For example, start with little things like going on a new walk route with your dog or a friend, or even try reading a book. Anything that you enjoy and that will begin to get you out of your rut and make you feel productive.
Challenge unhelpful thoughts
The way we think affects the way we feel. Negative thoughts will often lead us to feel and even behave negatively.
Instead of repeating this unhealthy cycle, there are things we can do to stop your own mind working against you. Your first step to a healthier mind is to be able to recognise and even challenge your negative thoughts. Then you can begin to replace them.
This can help you see things from a different perspective and help your negative thoughts be at ease.
Be kind to yourself
Try to break big tasks down into manageable chunks, and do not try to do everything at once. But most importantly, give yourself credit! When you’ve completed a task or done something well, no matter how small, acknowledge that and give yourself a pat on the back.
Talk to someone
Trusted friends, family and colleagues, or contacting a helpline, can help us when we are stressed and struggling.
Talking to others about our thoughts stops us from bottling up our emotions and allows us to deal with them in a healthy way. And who knows, whoever you confide in may give you a new perspective to see the situation in.
Get better sleep
Low moods can make us feel tired. Tiredness can also have a bad impact on our mood. Click here to find more tips on how to improve your sleep.
Recent Comments