10 Simple Tips To Boost A Very Low Mood
Hi Musers, I’m going to start today’s post with a confession…i’m recycling this post 😱 I know, everything here on CMooMuses should be original and normally it is. I do write elsewhere though and I posted this piece on my page on Medium. I tend to write about more of a range of subjects there including my experiences starting out in the freelance writing business and personal finance. If you have any interest please head on over there. Today’s piece was a mental health one though. It talked about my tips to boost a very low mood. As I mentioned a couple of posts ago I’ve not been doing great. I’ve been very anxious, very down and it seemed like a good time to bring the list to my favourite people on the world right here 😃
1. Give yourself a break
When you feel awful you need to accept that you and your needs are your number 1 priority. If you need to sleep or be alone or cry then do that. If you need to take time off work then do that too. In my experience, if you keep pushing yourself to attend when you don’t feel well enough mentally it will eventually become too much. Your mind or emotions will force you to stop. When that happens you’ll likely take longer to recover and be absent for a more extended period than if you’d just taken the time you needed to in the first place.
It’s like waiting till you’re starving to eat. Your body becomes so panicked at the lack of food it takes over, ramps up your hunger hormones and a binge occurs.
Your body and mind will only allow you to ignore what they’re saying for just so long.
2. Take a long, comforting bath
There’s nothing I love more than a bath at the best of times. When I feel bad there’s something about a bath in a dimly lit room that feels so cocoon-like. I add a bath bomb or bath essences and just lie there and drift. It always soothes me even when it doesn’t fix the bad feelings entirely. It’s my sanctuary from the world.
3. Take a nap
It is widely believed that insufficient good quality sleep can be a risk factor in being susceptible to depression. Sometimes when I’m feeling awful I realise later the feeling has followed multiple nights of poor sleep. In these cases a good nap can make a huge difference to my mood. When my husband is available to nap with me that’s even better. This brings me neatly to…
4. Hug someone you love
My husband is number 1 for me and being held by him for a while will always make me feel better no matter how awful I feel. If he’s not available though I’m also very close to my sister. Or one of my cats at a pinch. Hugging releases the hormone oxytocin which releases feelings of happiness and lowers stress. It also causes the body to produce serotonin and dopamine both of which elevate our mood.
The evidence is clear — when you’re feeling crappy hug it out!
5. Go for a walk
In the past when I was struggling with emotional eating and somebody suggested I take a walk nothing was guaranteed to make me want to punch them in the face more. A walk? Really!?! More time alone with my messed up thoughts, what a treat. I have since had to eat my words rather than the comfort food though!
In one of my happier phases when I was trying to keep the sadness at bay I tried to get into the habit of exercising regularly. Almost any book, website or therapist dealing with depression tells you exercise is a key component in keeping your mood stable. I decided to see if they were right. As well as going to exercise classes on days when there was no class, I took a walk. I listened to upbeat music and found to my surprise that I did feel better after walking. It was a combination I think of the endorphins released by walking and my enjoyment of my music. Now if I’m down I find a good walk with my favourite tunes blasting in my ears does help. Give it a try and see if it works for you.
6. Watch a movie
For me, there are two ways this can go. If I feel I’m not so far gone that laughing might still cheer me up I watch something funny. Moana is one of my current top ten.
If I feel I am too far gone for this to work I go in the opposite direction and watch something that will make me cry. I tend to go numb rather than starting to cry when I get depressed. Having a good cry helps break through that and is cathartic. I just need something to start me off.
7. Call someone
Depression makes me feel so incredibly alone. Reaching out to call someone reminds me I’m not and it’s just the depression talking. In my case it tends to be my sister as she has her own mental health problems and understands. She also knows me so well she can tell if I need sympathy, be made to laugh or even need a gentle kick up the butt. I find getting all the stuff out helps get it out of my head if that makes sense? I find writing articles here at CMooMuses does something similar. Helps me organise and deal with how I’m feeling. Even if I don’t feel happier I almost always feel calmer.
8. Bake Something
This may be just me but I’ve always found baking to be an incredibly relaxing activity. I choose something complicated enough to keep me absorbed but not so complex I’m likely to mess it up. It keeps my mind busy for 30–60 minutes and I have a delicious and comforting sweet treat to enjoy at the end. Totally win/win.
9. Hot Chocolate
I love the character Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory. One of my favourite of his traits is that his mother trained him if someone is upset, regardless of the situation, you offer them a hot beverage. To me, hot chocolate is a hug in a mug. Especially the Black Forest one Costa do at Christmas! If no hot chocolate is available I find tea and a bar of chocolate to be a great alternative.
10. Swaddle
No, I haven’t gone mad! I don’t mean have someone wrap you tightly in blankets like you’re a baby. If you want to try that though please don’t let me stop you. I’m referring to the availability of weighted blankets.
I recently bought one for my husband who suffers severe anxiety attacks. I read various articles stating that they helped dial down anxiety in the body by providing deep pressure touch. This calms stress and slows the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
During a recent period of sadness I thought I’d give it a try because what did I have to lose? I found the added pressure soothing in much the same way my bath was. A little while under it and I felt less overwrought. I ended up falling asleep and as per point 3, I did feel a bit better when I awoke.
That’s My Top 10, What’s Yours?
We’ve reached the end, my top tips to boost a very low mood! I’d like to end by stressing this is my list based on what I’ve found works for me. Not everything on it will necessarily work for you. I encourage you to create your own list which you can modify as you go. We’ll never be able to totally prevent these occurrences but having a plan gives me the confidence I’ll be able to handle them when they do rear their ugly heads. I hope it does the same for you.
Love CMoo xxx
