How to Improve My Mood

You don't need a mood ring to figure out how you are feeling. When we are angry, we look red, hot, and agitated; when we are depressed, we feel blue, cold, and slow. Depending on your mood, you have different options to help you change to how you want to feel. In cooking or eating, if something is hot and you want to cool it down, what do you do? When cooking spaghetti or pasta that starts to boil over, we might blow on it to get the bubbles to go down while we turn down the dial to a lower temp. If our hands are cold, we might rub them to warm up. The same thing can happen with our emotions and our moods.  Take a minute to remember the difference between emotions, feelings, and mood...the dictionary defines the mood as a temporary state of mind or feeling...often like the weather, and influenced by outside factors like being tired, hot, hungry....etc. as well as our thoughts, habits, and past issues that shaped us. We affect our own state of mind and feelings by the thoughts and actions we choose in any given moment. When did you have a bad mood recently?

While discussing this with our growth group, Rodrigo shared how he uses meditation to change from agitated to calm. Breathing also helps as we change the rate or intensity; did you know you could increase your energy and focus by using the breath of fire method? Learn more about this in the notes at the end. Maybe you’ve intentionally breathed deeper and faster to get yourself pumped up to do a hard thing like jump off a rock into a river; energetic movement such taking a walk, pumping our arms up and  down, or doing a dance can increase energy and blood flow; we can go from a depressed state to being more energized! Our mood doesn't have to stay in line with our emotions. When we adjust our physical state (physiology), our mood changes.

Now let’s think about what you can change in your mental state to improve your mood. Would you take a minute and ask yourself- or if you're brave enough, ask God- what area of life do you need to improve your attitude? Where could your mood improve? I've done this plenty of times! Case in point, a week ago I had an older gentleman, Bob, staying with me along with quite a few other visitors. There were four cars trying to park in my driveway, which isn't normally an issue because it’s long and wide enough. I came home one evening after a long, scorching hot day. I was sweaty and tired as I thought about the rest of the work I needed to do before retiring for the night; when I pulled in to the driveway, it was blocked by Bob! The trouble came when I allowed myself to feel entitled and inflexible; normally I park closest to the garage and the entrance of the house!  I ended up being selfish and rude when I confronted him rather than being intentional about how I wanted to be gracious and happy. I chose to do an unnecessary errand instead of continuing the frustrating conversation; I was walking away to give myself space and time to cool down. BTW, when I came home, he was parked on my lawn instead...augh!

The next morning, I sat down with my journal and processed this with God, “God, why was I so frustrated last night?”  And He might as well have spoken it out loud.... “You were being selfish.” And that was the truth. I recognized my fault: I admitted to myself that the emotion I felt had to do with the thoughts and beliefs that I was more important than the other people around me. Was this how I wanted to treat others? No! I wanted to feel peace; I wanted to show love! What did I need to do to solidify the lesson? I went and asked for Bob's forgiveness. He was so gracious and tried to minimize my poor reaction from the night before, but I knew the truth. I persisted in seeking his forgiveness for being selfish and recognized that he's important too. Next time, I will just choose to get up and move my car in the morning if I'm in the way of somebody who wants to leave. My time is not any more important than the other people who come to my home. I’m thankful that I could process this and hope the next time I have a similar situation, I will be a more gracious host and a better mood! BTW, Bob forgave me. :)

In my life coaching sessions, we practice self-awareness to change your thinking and change your life. Let me know if you want to make that shift in your own life by signing up on my homepage for a 60 minute assessment of ten key areas in your life.

Book recommendations:  

Gordon, Jon. The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy. John Wiley & Sons, 2007.

Williams, Caroline. Move: How the New Science of Body Movement Can Set Your Mind Free. Hanover Square Press, 2022. 

The Breath of Fire technique, is a rapid and forceful breathing exercise. It involves quick, shallow breaths through the nose, alternating between inhalations and exhalations. 

 How to Perform: 

• Inhale through your nose, allowing your belly to expand. 
• Exhale forcefully through your nose, contracting your abdominal muscles and drawing your belly in. 
• Repeat this process rapidly, maintaining a steady rhythm. 
• Add arm movements, such as raising them overhead during inhalations and lowering them during exhalations for a more invigorating experience
• Continue for 1-3 minutes, or as long as comfortable. 

 Benefits: 

 Stimulates the nervous system 

Increases energy and alertness 

Improves focus and concentration 

Strengthens abdominal muscles 

Detoxifies the body 

Promotes relaxation and inner calm 

Precautions: 

 Avoid practicing if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or a recent heart attack. 

 Listen to your body and stop if you experience any discomfort, dizziness, or shortness of breath. 

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