Moods

Good mood, bad mood, mood swings—are they something that is beyond your control? Even though according to Dr. Rifkin in Going Bonkers magazine (June 2010) “moods result from complex interactions of chemicals in our brains,” and “these chemicals are influenced by everything that goes on within us, and outside us” we can still look for patterns and causes.

So many things can trigger our moods: genetics, family, friends, weather, food, sleep, allergies, time of day, even thoughts and feelings. Try journaling—and I’m not just saying that because I love to write. Journaling is a great way to record and keep track of when and why your mood changes. And you don’t have to just keep track of your bad moods.

I personally (*ahem*) know people who have to eat the right foods as the right times and exercise regularly to avoid bad moods. When the weather changes, my kids act differently. I’m sure we all know someone who gets grumpy when they don’t get enough sleep.

If thoughts and feelings are bringing you down, double check and make sure they are based on fact and not confused, irrational thoughts. Can it be replaced with a more balanced or believable thought?

Bullies will manipulate our thoughts and feelings to change our mood. But how much of what they are saying is true? Are they taking the truth and twisting it into a lie? If you believe their lies, they have won. If you let them to put you in a bad mood, they have won. Go back to the facts. Get back to the truth.

We won’t always be in a good mood. Mood changes are ok. Bad moods are going to happen from time to time, just don’t stay there. Dr. Rifkin says, “Don’t just accept a bad mood, especially when you have the power to change it.”