15 Ways to Overcome a Negative Mood

Are you prone to moodiness, sadness or depression? Or maybe you just don’t feel excited about life? The following 15 ways to overcome a negative mood will help you get your life back on track. A negative mood must to be tackled from many different angles in order to address the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual sides. If you really want to overcome a negative mood, read this list everyday and try introducing as many of the suggestions as possible into your life. See if you feel better. If not, please see your doctor or other professional person for some assistance.

1. When you wake up in the morning go through a routine: 

• For the first 5 minutes, stay in bed and find 3 things to be grateful for. Then tell yourself “This is going to be a great day!” 
• Get up and shower as you continue with positive thoughts (“Today is full of love and peace.”) 
• After getting dressed, open all the curtains and put on some uplifting music. 
• Go outside and take several deep breaths. 
• If you have a yard or garden or even a balcony, go for a wander. Look at the flowers, birds, the sky, and be grateful for your surroundings. 
• Sit down and eat a healthy breakfast with fruit and cereal or toast and beans and a herbal tea. 

2. Drink plenty of purified water throughout your day. Squeeze lemon or lime in it or prepare herb teas (camomile, rosehip, lemon and ginger). 

3. As you go through your day, tell yourself “All is well” and “Everything is working for my good.” Focus on positive aspects of people and situations.

4. Get out of the house: Go to the movies, go shopping, spend time in nature (the beach or the forest), go out for coffee. Go to a craft class. Join a choir. Learn something new. Plan at the start of the week what you will do during the coming days. Commit to yourself by writing in your calendar or diary the things you are going to do this week.  

5. Exercise: Walk, run, swim, cycle, or go to the gym. Exercise releases endorphins, the “happy drugs.” Find an exercise that suits you and do it every day. 

6. Turn the TV off: Avoid watching the news and current affairs programs. Instead read or watch something inspirational and uplifting. Go to the library or bookstore. Fill your coffee table with positive books. 

7. Laugh: Hang out with friends who make you laugh. Play with the kids in a park or at the beach. Tickle your partner. Hire a comedy and laugh away the afternoon. Stay away from negative people. Don’t gossip or criticise others. 

8. Don’t focus on your problems: Let go of the past, forgive yourself and others and see the positive in everything. Life is a series of lessons to help us grow and develop. Be grateful for the lessons. Instead of problems, see them as opportunities to grow. 

9. Start a gratitude journal: Be grateful for everything. Look for the smallest things that you normally take for granted and start thanking the universe for them. Be grateful for your family and friends. Remind yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for. Write them in a journal and then re-read them every day (see worksheet Gratitude, an Elixer For Unhappiness on how to do this). 

10. Identify your strengths and positive traits: Make a list of the things that make you a wonderful human being. Sell yourself to you. Be honest with your appraisal. Read your list every day. 

11. Savour the present: Learn to meditate and take time out of your busy schedule to sit quietly for 5 – 20 minutes each day. If you don’t like sitting still, try a walking meditation. See the worksheet on Meditation Techniques . 

12. Challenge your thinking: When you find yourself focusing on the negatives in life, try to challenge what you are saying to yourself. Ask yourself if there is a more realistic and positive way you could interpret things. 

13. Find a purpose: Liberate your dormant passions! Make a list of things you used to enjoy as a child or even last week or last year and start doing them again. Take up a cause. Put some meaning into your life. Ask yourself: “What am I here for?” Wait quietly for an answer. If you’re at a loss, read the worksheet Finding Your Purpose.

14. Set goals for the future: Dream, plan, create a life that you will be proud of! Set goals for next week, next year and in five-year increments. See the worksheet  Tips for Setting Goals for some suggestions.

15. Tune in to your Feelings: Sometimes a negative mood is due to suppressed emotions like anger, especially if you don’t feel like you have a right to be angry. If you know you are angry, do something to release it like pounding a pillow with your fists or pulling weeds in the garden. If you believe you have some deep and long lasting sadness, talk to a friend. Write in a journal. Make an appointment to see a professional (a therapist, counsellor or psychologist).