4 Steps to Organically Improve Your Mood

Personal Development, Tips, happiness

After visiting with my wife’s family and then meeting with my writing critique group, I was driving home and feeling down. I forced my mood to stay up when I chatted with relatives and friends. It took a lot of energy and I knew that I needed to let my feelings crash, at least for a little while. I just didn’t want to accept these low energy feelings. I wanted my energy to increase. It was Sunday and I still had many hours of “whatever I wanted to do” time, but I still couldn’t feel good. I got mad at my inability to appreciate my present state.

Instead of going with the ebb, I got upset because I wasn’t feeling the way that I wanted to.

The old me would have immersed himself in these bad feelings, relishing the pain. The “present day me” took a different approach.

I filled a small bowl with potato chips, sat in front of the TV and just chilled out. As I flipped through all six of my antenna channels, I was glad that I didn’t have cable because I probably would have sat there all night. And because there was nothing on I got bored quickly. I sat there for twenty minutes then turned off the TV. Since Nikki was still at her family’s gathering I could do whatever I wanted.

No, I didn’t do that!

I washed out my chip bowl, practiced a little Yoga, then hopped on the computer and fixed a few old blog posts. Before long I sensed that my energy was back up, as I rode the wave of accomplishing this website goal and writing a blog post.

I didn’t force my energy to stay up or down, but allowed it to play out somewhat naturally. By allowing myself this freedom, my energy came back on its own. I wrote down four steps that allowed me to organically enjoy my moods without wanting them to be different.

• Felt my present mood – Sluggish and down

• Accepted this present state – Chips and TV

• Didn’t let myself wallow – Yoga and a small task

• Created a new mood – High energy and blogging creativity.

I eventually crashed again, but I was ready this time. I snuggled into bed, grabbed a book and read for a little while until I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

Next time you’re in an emotional state that isn’t to your liking, try applying these steps to improve your state:

1. Feel your present mood.

No matter how you are feeling, allow yourself to be this way without wanting it to be different.

2. Accept this present state.

Allow your mood to settle into your body and then do what feels good, even if it may seem naughty like chips and TV.

3. Don’t allow yourself to wallow.

Do something that is easy and feels productive. I picked an easy and gentle Yoga routine, which helped my attitude improve.

4. Create a new mood.

Try to use your energy in a larger way – find that next little thing that you can dive into and allow yourself to be swept away, slowly changing your outlook and allowing each new task to add energy to your mood.

When you can learn to gently transition from a difficult mood to a more pleasing state, you’ll be able to improve your emotional balance and increase you daily joy.

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Karl @ January 27, 2008