Our mood is comprised of so many things – biological factors, external stimuli, coping mechanisms and responses, and more. Mental illness can mean mood swings, and our diet can also impact the way that we feel. With so many things at play, understanding what impacts our mood can help us better combat those days when we feel upset or sad for no “apparent” reason. While we can’t always control our moods, we can learn what might be impacting us and make minor adjustments to our daily routine to help prepare us to feel better.
According to Associate Editor Margarita Tartakovsky of Psych Central, negative people can certainly impact our mood. When we are surrounding by people who always look to the negative side of things, we are bound to feel a little less cheerful. Additionally, spending too much time on internet sources such as Facebook can leave us feeling drained. A recent study conducted by Shakya and Christakis (2017) found that Facebook decreases well-being, as people are more likely to compare themselves with others, making them feel less than enough.
Dr. Young from Psychology Today states that exercise and activity level can also affect our mood. If our body isn’t getting proper exercise, we can feel sluggish and tired. Nutrition also plays a vital role, as processed foods, sweets, and foods with poor nutrient health can leave us feeling down. Consuming foods that contain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables can also help increase our moods, leaving us feeling refreshed and healthier.
One factor that impacts our mood that most people don’t recognize is disorganization – living and working in clutter can cause us to subconsciously feel overwhelmed, exhausted, stressed and anxious. By keeping our home and work spaces clean, we are making way for a more healthy and productive outlook on the day.
Not surprisingly, the weather can impact our mood. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a depressive disorder that typically occurs in people during fall and winter months, when there is less sunshine. Extremely hot temperature and heavy rain can also cause people to feel tension and aggression – as confirmed thus far by 2 studies, one conducted by Hsiang et al. (2013) and the other conducted by Connolly (2013).
With so many factors impacting our mood, sometimes the best way to deal with a negative mood change is to simply allow yourself to feel it. Spend a brief period allowing yourself to feel angry, frustrated, sad, etc. In doing this, you are giving your mind and body the attention it needs while also choosing to move forward after you have allowed yourself to feel. Eating properly, getting adequate amount of exercise, avoiding negativity, maintaining clean spaces, and more can help you to feel refreshed, healthy, and ready to move on with your day.
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