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For the past week or so, I’ve noticed that my mood has been all over the place. My attention span seems limited and I’m more indecisive than usual. I’m not really sure why – it could be the weather, my daily routine or the post-holiday slump.
Like many people, my mood is easily influenced by my surroundings and circumstances. Small setbacks like late bills, missed appointments and unwanted tasks tend to throw me off my routine.
By investigating my state of mind a little more, I’ve realized that subtle changes in my daily life can impact how I react to situations as well as how this affects me. The first thing is to pay attention to what I’m eating. I’ve found that if I overload on carbohydrates and sweets for too long, my mood swings a lot. So whenever I am in a funk, I look at what I’m eating and actively incorporate foods that better regulate my mood (less sugar, more fresh food, lots of veggies, etc).
I also make small changes to my home and work environment. For example, I switch around the furniture in my apartment or rearrange my desk at work or take a different route to and from work. I’ve also found that cleaning out my cluttered desk or apartment help elevate my mood and clear my mind. It may sound funny but those small visual changes keep my routine more interesting.
Or I chat with a close friend or family member and tell them why I’m in a bad mood. My friends are good at listening to all my troubles and giving some advice. Once I’m finished venting, they usually tell me I’m overreacting and it makes me feel better.
And most importantly, I add some “fun time” to my day or week. I take a 10 minute walk around my neighborhood, read a chapter of good book or turn on my favorite song and crank up the volume.
So what helps you lift your spirit?
Justin – A Lumen
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