Suffering From Low Mood? These 10 Things Could Help

Read the news

It’s been said that constantly reading the news could be bad for you. Even so, checking it out from time to time can lift your mood simply by making you feel more engaged with the world.

Many news outlets also have some fun stuff you can try to make yourself feel better. Check out some movie reviews, read any variation of horoscope for a good way to set yourself up for the day, or read the gossip column. News doesn’t have to be sad or scary.

Make time for friends and family

One of the last things you want to do if you’re feeling low is to socialise. Still, this is absolutely the best time to do it. Make sure you’re hanging out with real friends, though. The wrong people can make your mood worse.

Find people who sympathise with you and understand your feelings. Those people will be easy, low-maintenance ways to feel wanted and accepted while you’re not doing so great.

Don’t work too hard

Sometimes, you can feel overfaced by what’s to come in the day ahead. If you work from home, make sure you’re not taking on more work than you can handle. If not, try to pace yourself at your place of work.

Maybe your employer is amenable to a talk? If so, it’s a good idea to have a word with them about your feelings and why you might not be performing as they’d like. Your mental health should come first, and a good employer will understand that.

Leave the house

If you’re feeling like the house is your safe cocoon, you could be unwittingly falling into a trap. Keeping yourself in the same surroundings might feel safe and cosy, but in reality it could be contributing to your low mood.

Even if you just walk around the block once or visit the shops for something small, you should get out of the house. You’d be amazed how much this can feel like an achievement. Before you know it, you’ll feel much better just from leaving your home.

Get some exercise

If you feel up to it, some exercise can be an excellent way to give yourself that little boost. Exercise releases endorphins, making you feel happier and more contented within yourself.

It’ll give you a stronger self-image since you’ll feel fitter, and exercising will also feel like an accomplishment, making you feel like your day hasn’t been wasted. There are very few drawbacks to exercise. Just make sure you chat to your doctor if you’re not sure you’re physically up to it.

Cook your favourite food

Sometimes, if you’re not feeling great, then cooking a large meal and eating it can feel like too much to stomach. Believe it or not, though, cooking can make for pretty great therapy.

By cooking a meal, you’re being creative, so you’re feeding the side of you that wants to do something worthwhile. You’re taking your mind off your mood, and at the end of the process you’ll have something you can eat that’s (hopefully) nutritious, healthy, and delicious.

Play sports

In a similar way to getting exercise, playing sports can lift you out of a low mood. Most sports are competitive or at least involve other people, so you’re essentially combining socialising with exercise here.

If you factor in a potential post-game meal, then you’re also getting a nutritious, balanced diet at the end of your game. Sports can contribute to a healthy mindset and lifestyle, so if you’re able to play sport and you’re not doing so already, you should look into it.

Engage with your hobbies

Low mood can make you not want to go near the things you love to do. There could be plenty of reasons you give yourself for this; perhaps you think you won’t enjoy them as much, or perhaps you just don’t feel up to giving your mental resources over to hobbies.

If you pick the right pastime, though, your hobbies can elevate you out of low mood and bring you back to the world around you.

Change your job

This might be a bit of a drastic move for many people; after all, if you’re secure and comfortable in your job, there’s no reason to change what you do. According to a Gallup poll from a couple of years ago, 85% of people hate their jobs.

That’s a pretty alarming statistic. If you’re one of them, consider concocting a long-term plan to get out of your current place of employment and into an environment more conducive to positive mental health.

Try something new

You’d be amazed how much doing something new can make you feel like a new person. If you break your routine and puncture the same-old-same-old feeling, you’ll feel refreshed and happier that you broke out of your bubble.

Don’t make any serious or drastic decisions while you’re feeling low; making sudden decisions will only come back to haunt you later. Still, why not take up a new hobby, walk somewhere new, or plan a new holiday? All of these things could help lift your mood.

These are just some of the ways we’ve found effective for raising your spirits when you’re down. Again, if you suspect you may be suffering from depression, visit your doctor immediately. These remedies will help you get back on your feet and start you off loving life again, but they aren’t replacements for good medical advice.