Bad Moods
Most people spend three out of 10 days battling a foul mood. The causes of crabbiness are many, including lack of sleep and changes in hormone levels. Research has even linked chronic peevishness to too much activity in the frontal lobe of the brain. But whatever the cause, you can take steps to mitigate a bad mood:
1. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, chances are you’ll start spilling the milk or staining your suit with jelly. Don’t let this domino effect ruin your whole day. Take charge by starting over. Sit with your eyes closed for a few minutes, breathing slowly to lower your heart rate and calm your mind.
2. If you’re chronically crabby in the morning, skip the coffee; instead try sipping some apple cider or herbal tea. Both apple and herbal scents increase the brain’s alpha waves, providing a calming effect.
3. Get organized. Messiness on a desk or in a closet can make you even crabbier because disorganization leaves you feeling out of control. Regain your sense of control by finding something to organize.
4. Write a letter. If your boss is putting you in a bad mood, put it down on paper. Writing can slow down your thinking, help you sift through the mental chaos and sometimes helps you see the bigger picture.
5. Flex those mental muscles by picturing yourself in a better place or distracting yourself with a line from a favorite song or poem. If you can visualize something that makes you happier, chances are your mood will lift.
