Often when people think of their mood, they think of just being in a good mood or a bad mood. But the truth is, there is a lot in between these two extremes. Things like stress, daily habits, physical stress, and so many other factors go into how you feel.
Your mood is not just good or bad, but can include being stressed, anxious, fearful, relaxed and calm, tense and agitated.
If you feel like you don’t have balanced moods, or you are constantly at one extreme or another, it might be time to take a look at your habits, your daily routines, and how you spend your time. Your behaviors — and your environment — have such a large impact on your moods and how you feel.
What Causes Shifts in Your Mood?
One of the most surprising things about mood fluctuations is how many things in your everyday life — many of which you don’t always have control of — can change your mood. The more you understand about mood changes, the more you can decide what lifestyle changes will help you the best with boosting your mood.
Some causes of shifts to your mood include:
Stress – Probably one of the most common causes is stress. This can be severe stress where you expect your mood to change, but also very mild forms of emotional stress that you didn’t realize had such a big impact on how you feel and behave overall.
Mental health – Many mental health disorders can lead to changes in your mood, including anxiety and depression. If you struggle with your mental health, you might already be aware of how drastically your mood can shift.
Sleep habits – Yes, how much and how well you sleep is going to affect your mood! We aren’t just talking about having a crappy night’s sleep and not feeling your best the next morning. This also includes poor sleep hygiene habits that affect your mood the next day.
Diet – What you eat can greatly impact how you feel. What you choose to eat the majority of the time does make a big difference in your mood.
Medical causes – Not only can hormone fluctuations affect your mood, but other medical causes like thyroid disorders, stroke, vitamin deficiency, and Parkinson’s might all be the cause of your mood changes.
Here are some daily rituals that will help boost your mood:
- A Morning Journaling Routine
- Improving Your Sleep Hygiene
- Paying Attention to What You Eat
- Moving Your Body Every Day
- Practicing Gratitude
- Make Self-Care a Daily Priority
- Decluttering and Organizing Your Personal Space
- Unplugging at Least Once Per Day
- Setting Healthy Boundaries
- Getting Outside for Fresh Air
Publisher of Great Living Today, your one-stop source for greater living featuring tips, techniques, and programs in the areas of health & wellness, wealth, time management, business, love, relationships, and happiness. Marty is a life, business, and wellness coach helping his clients to live their best lives.