We all have those days where nothing seems to go our way and somehow you were grumpy before even getting out of bed and everything seems to be ruining your mood.
Some days our bad mood might be completely justified by obvious reasons but there are those times when we feel down without knowing why.
There’s just nothing we can pinpoint as the main culprit behind our poor mood and yet, we still feel like an elephant (or at least a well-fed goat) has positioned itself on our chest and there’s hardly anything to cheer us up.
We don’t always find the connection to what is ruining our mood but more often than not they’re actually a reason for our less than joyful mood.
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1. Junk food
Given that junk food is in general high in sugar and sodium and poor in valuable nutrients, is it any surprise that it affects more than just your waistline?
Studies suggest that a poor diet consisting of fried food, processed meats, and sweets can cause depression symptoms and anxiety disorders. [1, 2,3]
And the opposite, a balanced diet consisting of wholesome, nutrient-dense food can positively influence your mood.
So, choose your meals wisely.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t have the occasional treat but try to stick to real, minimally processed food the majority of the time.
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2. Poor sleep
Sleep is another major factor in not just our general well-being but in our mood and mental health as well.
Sleep has a MAJOR impact on our physical and mental health. While we carelessly relax at night, our amazing bodies carry out a whole bunch of very important functions such as cell repair, healing, fighting infections, and detoxifying. What’s more, sleep helps to keep our extremely delicate hormone balance in check.
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Believe me – you wanna keep those hormones balanced. Once they’re off, it’s a true pain in the as* to bring them back in order.
Few tips to improve sleep:
- Go to bed at the same time each night
- Reduce screen time at night – no phones, laptops, etc.
- Cool down your bedroom – we sleep better at a cooler temperature
- Try CBD oil – it did wonders for me
- Journal in the evening to sort out your thoughts and prevent you from tossing and turning in bed overthinking the events of your day.
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3. The media you consume
I doubt that it’s a surprise to anyone that the media feeds on bad news.
Especially today when tragic statistics are being shoved in our faces daily, it’s hard to not let it get to you.
And it’s not just that. Social media can be just as overwhelming.
A sad story you read online can linger on your mind for days.
It’s a good idea to do some media detox every now and then.
Try puzzles – they’re great to calm down an anxious mind and keep you focused.
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4. How much you moved
We’re made to move! Our bodies and our minds thrive when we’re active.
I know you probably have those moments when it’s hard to say where the coach ends and your body starts. I have them too.
The problem arises when this becomes a lifestyle. The longer you allow yourself to stay in that state, the harder it is to motivate yourself to do anything.
It’s no surprise that a sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of depression. [1]
On the other hand, a simple walk or a short bike ride can do wonders for your mood. Even more so – a quick home workout!
5. The weather
Well, there’s not much you can do to change bad weather but it’s comforting to at least recognize the reason for our momentary dullness.
As someone living in a northern country, I know how taxing prolonged periods of gloomy weather can be.
One thing that’s proven to help improve your mood and overall mental health is sun lamps.
The way they work is they simulate natural sunlight and thus regulate the production of serotonin and melatonin – the two hormones regulating sleep and wake cycles.
Serotonin also helps with improved mood and reduces anxiety.
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6. Having a racing mind
In other words – not getting your thoughts organized.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by work, personal problems, and information overload.
After all, there was no other point in history when people were being so heavily bombarded with information on a daily basis.
We need to actively work on bringing peace and order to our minds.
How to do that depends largely on your personality – it could be meditation, taking a long walk, or journaling. Anything that works for you.
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Do you ever feel sad for no obvious reason?
Leave me a comment and tell me how you combat that.
We can all use a tip in that direction now!
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