Mood boosting lifestyle changes to bring back balance to mood swings is the topic of this post. We give you concrete tips how you can do small lifestyle changes to feel lighter, brighter and on your way to a ‘new you’.
This is the final post in a series. In Part 1 you get the basics of what mood swings are Mood Swings: Are You A Mood Monster? Part II: Mood Swings: Is your Partner or Boss a Mood Monster? deals with how we can understand, deal and support a mood swinger you live or work with. In this final post in the series about Mood Swings, The GOODista gives you tips on how to tweak your lifestyle to lessen the impact of mood swings.
Read on, comment and share your thoughts about how mood swings affect your life.
Mood Boosting Tips – Lifestyle Changes to Beat Mood Swings
Mood Swings can be an expression of feeling low, or indeed a medical condition. Getting professional help, and understanding from those around you is a first step.
Small changes to how you eat, exercise, mindfulness techniques and natural supplements can also make a real difference and lessen the impact too.
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Mood Boosting Foods: Nutrition
Depression, anxiety, and mood swings can be impacted by what we eat – or not. Research show linkages between nutrition and how it affects how we feel.
It is thought that lack of serotonin, vitamin B6, calcium and magnesium play a role . When we’re ‘low’ we tend to grab simple carbohydrates (like potato chips), refined sugar (sweet treats and chocolate), and salt (crisps) for easy relief. The problem is that we come crashing down faster than we can blink, which creates an even bigger mood swing – in the wrong direction.
5 Food Mood Boosting Tips
- Try to eat slow burning, natural foods that provide nutrients and steady energy throughout.
- Natural granola or muesli with non-sweetened yoghurt (complex carbs and calcium) for breakfast is a good idea.
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For lunch and dinner go for a protein that is lean. It builds you up and is a great mood booster. Try turkey, chicken or fish, especially salmon, with a salad and steamed leafy greens (B6, Omega 3, iron, magnesium and serotonin).
- Stay away from sugary treats, salty snacks and coffee as they provoke spikes in our blood sugar and tempers. Processed foods are all together bad news from a health perspective – but especially so if you suffer from mood swings.
- Alcohol, Coffee and Black Tea are known for their mood
provoking properties. Give yourself a ‘white month’ without these mood monster provocateurs, and see the difference. Water, Green Tea and natural fruit / vegetable juices are perfect mood boosting alternatives. - The recipe for wellness is eating at the same time every day, and make sure the food gives a slow burn to even out the moods, and bring back balance.
Mood Walking – Exercise
Lack of oxygen or nutrients are common amongst heart and lung disease sufferers – who also often therefore become victims of mood swings.
Feelings of sinker lower or rising to a euphoric sense of joy – can be balanced out with exercise. Whether it is a daily walk in the fresh air to breath in air, or putting yourself through a workout session – it is all good mood boosters. Exercise does bring a sense of accomplishment, and natural feel-good vibes,
A word of caution if you train a lot. If your bodybuilding session leaves you with a sense of feeling drained, rather than energised be careful. Mood swings is actually also a sign of over-training. This article on Livestrong.com: Bodybuilding and Mood Swings is an important read for you.
Mood Management – Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness techniques are highly recommended for mood swings, and while you can learn a lot by reading books – finding a therapist to guide you through the first sessions can be a good idea.
Mood Reset – Sleep, Stress and Rest
To re-balance your day is another good way to impact your mood swings positively. By setting a schedule, eating, sleeping and resting at the same time you re-set your master data, and find it easier to click into a steadier pace for body and mind.
Mood Boosters – Natural Supplements
Medication is often prescribed by physicians in severe cases of mood swings. The problem is the effect of Pharmaceuticals, as side effects and toxicity impact brain chemicals and hormones greatly. For centuries natural remedies have proven to be very effective in promoting balance while providing relief and relaxation. Medicinal plants and natural nutrients are a good way forward, and of course you need to inform your Doctor that you plan to take them to make sure they do not interfere with other medication you might be on.
Mood Boosting Steps to Beat The Mood Monster
A few lifestyle changes such a walking, eating healthily, drinking more water, and allowing yourself to rest are great ways to start looking for a light in what seems to be a dark tunnel.
The road to finding balance again can be long, and a journey of rediscovery. You can get the help of a coach to tailor a way forward for your wellness and/or career.
Striving for balance and finding meaning to our every day can be a struggle – and yet again it can also be at the beginning of something brand new. A new you?
Related and Recommended:
- Understanding Mood Swings – HealthGrades.com
- Wellness Goals: How To Find Your Wellness – thegoodista.com
- Therapy for Mood Swings – GoodTherapy.org
- Mood and Food, Depression and Nutrition – HealingWell.com
- How Food Affects your Moods – WebMD
- Managing your Moods Through Mindfulness – GoodTherapy.org
- The Exercise Effect on Mood Swings – American Psychological Association
- Exercise, Body Building and Mood Swings – Livestrong.com
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