Have you ever tried to snap yourself out of a bad mood? It can be difficult, but we are here to give you some great techniques to change your mood. There is no denying the very strong “link between good mental health and good physical health”, as stated by Harvard University. Meaning, if someone has good mental health habits and is positive, they have been shown to be in good physical health as well. It also works the other way; People who have depression and other mental health issues are more likely to have “digestive disorders, trouble sleeping, lack of energy, heart disease and other health issues.” It is no wonder that anti-depressants are one of the top 3 most prescribed medications.
However, even the most positive people experience stress or can find themselves in a bad mood. The important thing is that you don’t let your bad mood ruin your day. Here’s some natural techniques to change your mood and turn your frown upside down!
Get Outside to Turn Your Frown Upside Down
If you find yourself having negative thoughts, the easiest thing to do is make your way outside! According to a 2015 study discussed in Greater Good Magazine, after taking a walk in nature, the participants “experienced less anxiety, ruminations (focused attention on negative aspects of oneself), and negative affect, as well as…positive emotions.” These results are conclusive with many other studies that have shown that just walking in nature can shift your negative thoughts and feelings and make you think more positively about yourself and the world around you. Try to take a walk in a park for about 50 minutes and see if that will change your mood!
Write Down Your Feelings to Change Your Mood
We know that not everyone can drop what they are doing and take an hour walk or hike. There are things you can do inside that will make you feel better too. Journaling or writing your own story has shown numerous health benefits ranging from improving your mood to even healing wounds faster, as stated by BBC. Dr. James Pennebaker says, “If you find yourself thinking about something too much, dreaming about it or obsessing about it in some way, writing could be beneficial.” If you find that you can’t stop thinking negative thoughts, try writing them down. Write for only yourself and don’t worry about spelling or punctuation. You might find that you feel much better after expressing all of those thoughts. Get rid of your negative thoughts by writing for 15 minutes three or four times a week!
We hope that you are able to use these great techniques the next time you find yourself in a bad mood. In order to turn your frown upside down try writing or getting out in nature and remember the role that your mental health has on your physical health!