Bad moods suck. There. I said it.
But it’s not like that is news to anyone who has ever had a mood that was less than pleasant. The reality is, bad moods happen and it’s just part of life! But that doesn’t mean you don’t want to shake off the bad vibes and get back to feeling top notch ASAP, so here are my top 10 ways to turn around a less than stellar mood:
This is my favorite way to prevent a bad mood. There’s something about making your bed that puts you in the headspace of being able to tidy up any mess that’ll come your way that day. It literally takes a minute but can have a ripple effect on your ability to crush the rest of the day, bad moods and all. Feel in control with your day the moment you wake up!
We all have a song, you know the one. When you hear it, you stop whatever you’re doing and you’re instantly rocking, rolling, and belting out the words at the top of your lungs (or maybe you’re just tapping your foot and humming along, but inside we all know you’re killing it on the air guitar). Maybe you’ll even put it on repeat if you’re really feeling it! Research has shown that music affects our moods, but I don’t think we needed scientists to tell us that, right? You know the mood boost that a good jam gives you, so have a go to song for when things get mucky.
3. GET UP AND MOVE AROUND
If I can get out for a quick walk, even if it’s just 5-10 minutes, I come back to whatever I was doing or working on and it’s pretty inevitable that my mindset and mood will be better. When your blood is pumping, endorphins kick in and that’s the good stuff that boosts our moods and allows us to focus. INEVITABLE BONUS: With that extra focus, I find that right after some physical movement, I end up being way more productive. WIN WIN!
4. SOAK IT OUT
There’s something so therapeutic about water. A good soak in a hot bath to help relax and unwind, or standing under a hot shower and letting the water just wash away all those bad vibes. This one is definitely my go-to when I need a moment to literally step away and come back with fresh and clean eyes to whatever’s going on.
5. TEA TIME
I love a good cup of joe as much as the next gal, but when I really want to refocus a bad mood, I reach for tea. As I watch the tea steep and become darker and richer in color, it’s almost as if my thoughts are doing the same. By the time I’ve let the tea cool and enjoyed every last drop, I feel more relaxed and able to tackle whatever challenge is ahead of me. Come to think of it, I can’t recall ever having bad vibes after taking a little tea time. All the zen vibes!
6. PHONE A FRIEND
Friends are the best, and they can be such good inspiration for turning a bad mood right around. They’ll remind you about the time you struggled with something similar, and how you turned it around and came back swinging. They’ll give you perspective that’s sometimes hard to get on your own when you’re in the midst of a bad mood. Humans are social creatures, so whether it’s phoning a friend, shooting a text to your sister, or just letting a coworker know that you’re not in your favorite headspace, talking about it really helps. And let’s be honest, we’ve all experienced a bad mood before, so there’s no shame in asking for help.
7. TAKE A TIMEOUT
Sometimes I’ll put myself in a timeout. Wait, what? Yep. Just like my kiddos sometime need a couple minutes to just be alone and reset, so do I. I have no problem letting them know that mom needs a timeout; just a little break to get the cranky out. Having that couple of minutes to refocus can really fight off a bad mood that I can feel barreling toward me.
8. THROW A PITY PARTY
Seriously. It is so okay to feel the feels and be super cranky, but don’t get stuck there. Set a timer for five minutes, feel as sorry for yourself as you’d like. (Try not to spread these bad vibes around and keep them to yourself. It’s best to find somewhere like an office or bathroom where you can close the door and power through this.) Once the timer is up, look yourself in the face (so maybe use a room with a mirror) and give yourself a pep talk. You can do hard things, and you will get through this -- even if the situation hasn’t changed one iota since you started your pity party. Find a favorite mantra and use it to get yourself back on track and start running that through your mind instead of all the bummer thoughts that can contribute to a bad mood.
9. SHOW SOME GRATITUDE
Taking a couple minutes to write down at least three things you’re grateful for is one sure-fire way that I have found to stop a bad mood in its tracks. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, I can always find three things I am thankful for. “The air in my lungs?” Yep. That counts too. When we take a moment to look at the good things in our lives and actually write them out, no matter how small they may seem, it helps us recognize a bad mood is just that: a temporary and fleeting negative feeling, and it doesn’t have to become our permanent reality.
10. LIGHT A CANDLE
Okay okay, you knew this one was coming. I mean, hello, this is a candle blog. But let’s be honest, there is truly something special about lighting a candle that can change the entire mood of your space. They are elegant and quiet. They are strong, even at the toughest moments. They bring peace and a beautiful throw. And I don’t know about you, but good smells bring me good vibes. So light those babies up!
Adding new tips and tricks to my bad mood bustin’ arsenal is always a good thing, so I’d love to hear how YOU turn your bad moods around!
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