Everyone has bad days. If you failed an exam, did not get hired for a job, got stood up by a date, or missed your train, you sometimes can’t help but feel like the world is working against you. How do you rise from these situations and stop them from getting to you? What can you do to manage your mood and remain productive in life?
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Take a deep breath.
If faced with a challenge, you should remain calm and not do anything that you will regret later on. Stay put. Inhale and exhale. Take a few minutes to clear your mind and let your emotions settle down, before deciding what to do next. Rushing into things while you are all fired up may only make the situation worse.
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Think happy thoughts.
Every time you start feeling down, try to remember some positive memories from your past to help make you feel better. It can be that time you won an award, finished a marathon, completed a difficult hiking trail, had your first child, or got a promotion at work. If you are able to block the negativity, you can move forward to accomplish more things.
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Do not run away from your problems.
Problems do not automatically disappear. They have to be dealt with and fixed for you to be totally rid of them. Oftentimes, guilt, anxiety, and other negative emotions can be too heavy of a burden to carry, and until you make things right, you will be in a terrible mood and mindset for a very long time.
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Get enough sleep.
Sleep plays a crucial role in how your body functions. According to medical experts, everyone should get around 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night to allow the body to recuperate and recharge for the day ahead. If you lack sleep, your brain will not be able to perform at its best, and this can significantly affect your mood.
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Eat healthy.
The kinds of food that you eat are also a contributing factor to your mood. If you consume so much junk food, alcohol, and other foods high in sugar and fats, you are prone to developing various types of diseases that can trigger signs and symptoms. The pains and discomforts can turn your mood around and leave you feeling all negative. Thus, swap your chips and sodas with fruits and vegetables for a healthier mind and body.
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Exercise.
Exercising makes your body release hormones that make you feel good. The more you exercise, the more you get these positive feelings. Therefore, get into a regular exercise routine as soon as possible. You can start by running around the block for about 20 minutes on your days off, walking your dog every morning or night, or taking the stairs more often in school or at work.
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Pursue your hobbies and interests.
Doing something that you enjoy can help elevate your mood. If you like to learn new languages, why not enroll yourself in a language class? This will not only expand your knowledge, but also allow you to meet new people. If you like to cook, why not whip up new recipes in your kitchen? You not only give yourself opportunities to enjoy delicious dishes, you also can have a much needed bonding time with friends or family over dinner you yourself prepared.
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Be around people.
Alone time gives you the chance to reflect on yourself and your life. However, it can hamper your personal growth and social relationships if you do it so much. Human beings are social creatures, so developing bonds with others are integral to survive. If you feel hopeless and miserable, you should not hesitate to call a friend or family member to hang out with and help you get out of that rut. Dedicate at least a day or two of your month to grab lunch or dinner to catch up with people you trust.
Many studies have found that spending too much time on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms can contribute to depression. Oftentimes, upon seeing photos of your friends on their Europe vacation, with their new houses and cars, and grinning ear-to-ear with their families, you can’t help but feel inadequate, like your life is so pathetic. You forget that these photos depict only a small percentage of their lives, and they are very likely dealing with problems too. You fail to realize that these websites mostly feature the best highlights of people’s lives.
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Listen to music.
Music can affect your feelings and emotions. So, create a playlist of your favorite songs, and listen to it while you are working, doing household chores, or driving. Choose upbeat, feel-good tunes to put you in a good mood.
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Go outside.
Go outside.Spend more time outdoors to breathe fresh air and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. A change in environment can help drive those negative thoughts away. In addition to that, you can get more oxygen into your body and boost your brain performance, and enjoy a good supply of vitamin D for a better looking skin.
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Clean your house.
Just like exercising, cleaning is a physically demanding task that makes your body release happy hormones. By vacuuming the entire house, scrubbing your toilets, polishing your kitchen counters, and rearranging your furniture, you get a burst of positivity, and feel energized and refreshed.
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Consult a medical professional.
Mental health problems require proper medical attention. They cannot be cured just by staying positive or smiling more often. They are caused by chemical imbalances in your body that can only be fixed by therapy and medications. If you find yourself in a bad mood so often, and feel down from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, as you might have something serious that needs to be taken care of right away.
