Ride Out Low Moods

Hello,


"The best way out is always through."
                                   - Robert Frost

It is absolutely normal to have a low mood from time to time. In fact, people who are generally happy with self and life experience their fair share of low moods. The reality is, we can all find ourselves in a slump, even those of us that are of a positive mindset. Indeed, low moods are very common and usually relates to the challenges of life that sometimes gets the best of us. A simple way to understand low moods is to see them as passing feelings that tend to move rather quickly. Whatever the mood may be, whether you're stressed, anxious, frustrated, lonely or angry remind yourself it won't last. Feelings are always changing.

It is important to know, however, that a low mood that doesn't go away can be a sign of depression. Whereas a low mood is short-lasting, someone with depression experiences extreme sadness that is long-lasting for at least two weeks or longer. That being said, a low mood is not one in the same as being depressed. It is possible to feel down without having depression. If a low mood occurs frequently, is persistent and begins to affect major areas of your life, then you need to consult a therapist or discuss with your primary care physician. Always better to err on the side of caution, most especially when it comes to our mental health and well-being.

In contrast to a depression, which includes having a hopeless and helpless outlook on life, a low mood is primarily about feeling a bit down, mildly sad or just being in a bad mood, all of which are part of the human experience and nothing to really panic about. It happens.

Now that we know that low moods are inevitable the issue becomes one of deciding what to do when we find ourselves already there. More specifically, how will we relate to our feelings.

When someone has a low mood they usually feel blah, tired, irritable, without energy, and everyday life feels like work. Moreover, the person with a low mood is feeling something they don't want to feel. Therefore, their natural inclination might be to try to get themselves out of this low state as soon as possible by doing something about it. Our tendency is almost always reactionary. In other words, we try to take control of our mood. We look for ways to change it and by doing so, engage in a power struggle with ourselves as we attempt to feel better. Sometimes, however, our efforts to improve our mood prove ineffective and yet we continue to do rather than let ourselves be with our mood. Without a doubt, fighting with our feelings is what makes the experience a painful one. There is, however, a simpler way we can relate to our feelings.

The best way out of a low mood is to let yourself go through it. You don't have to change your mood, you can just let it pass. It is completely possible for you to ride out your low mood.

Rather than struggle with your mood, notice your feelings, give them room to hang about inside you, and watch them lift on their own without any interference from you. If you accept the mood, ride it out, it will pass through you sooner than you think and you will be free of it. Relate to all feelings, wanted and unwanted ones, with openness and acceptance knowing that they will change and in due time will leave.

The next time you're in one of your moods, rather than offer resistance, try to relax and stay calm. Remember, you need not act on those feelings. Sometimes, as in this case, the best approach is to do nothing. Lay low and try to be patient with yourself, knowing all things are passing.

The truth is, a low mood can cloud our judgment and is therefore not an ideal time to analyze our feelings too deeply. When we are going through a low mood, it is easy to lose our perspective and even our common sense. Life may seem harder and things may look a lot worse than they really are. For this reason, it is best to lay low and ride out the mood. Trust it will change and when it does, you will see things more realistically.

Final words...
Go ahead, get comfortable with your low moods and stop relating to them as seriously as you do. Once you see your moods as "no big deal," you will no longer give them so much importance and meaning. This is when your mood is more than likely to lift.

Remember, it's just a low mood!


Cheers!