Some days we can be caught in a gloomy funk with no clear way out. But being in a bad mood isn’t the issue: It’s how we handle it that is. A typical response to a bad mood is to try to force it to stop, but controlling your mood can actually make you feel worse. Instead of swimming against the stream, swim with it. Learn to let your mood pass with these simple steps.
Step 1: Honor how you feel
The first step toward getting out of a bad mood is to honor your emotions. Find a comfortable, quiet space and sit for one minute of stillness. Become aware of how your mood is affecting you physically. Identify the tension in your body and take five deep breaths in and out. Breathe into the discomfort and allow yourself to be present in the experience. This step will help you accept whatever it is that you’re feeling.
Step 2: Flow with it
Now that you’re aware of how your mood feels in your body, it’s time to just flow with it. Take action by doing some kind of physical activity, like dancing, running or stretching. Move with your emotions, and eventually they will move through you.
Step 3: Choose to let it go
Often we get stuck in a bad mood because we’re unwilling to let go of negative thoughts. Now that you’ve taken steps to shift your energy, it’s time to shift your mind. Commit to letting go of your bad mood through the power of positive thinking. Set your alarm clock with the affirmation, “I choose happiness instead of this.” Set this alarm four times throughout the day. When the alarm goes off, recite the affirmation in your mind. Continue this step throughout the day. Your mental commitment combined with your breath can create miraculous shifts.
Use these three steps any time you’re in a funky mood, and trust that swimming with the stream will always lead you in the right direction.
— Gabrielle Bernstein is the author of “Spirit Junkie.”
Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages.
