Poor moods can be dangerous for a person in recovery. One of the reasons many addicts began using drugs or alcohol was to elevate bad moods/feelings. When a bad mood hits you need an arsenal of ways to cheer yourself up naturally instead of relapsing. Here are 25 natural ways to lift a bad mood.
1. Post inspiring quotes and uplifting jokes around your home just for those days. 2. Call a friend. Ask them to tell you something funny or catch a cup of coffee with them somewhere.
3. Think positive thoughts. Remind yourself that nothing can be as bad as where you once were.
4. Drink two glasses of water. Dehydration can bring on poor moods.
5. Make fake smiles in the mirror until you can’t help but laugh at yourself.
6. Read an uplifting devotional or meditation.
7. Close your eyes for a few minutes.
8. Call your mom or other family member you feel close to and tell them you love them. You would be surprised by how much redirecting your thoughts off your mood and onto another person you love can help.
9. Look through old scrapbooks or personal journals.
10. Go outside. A few minutes of fresh air can do wonders for your mood.
11. Exercise; go for a very quick jog, do some jumping jacks, anything, just get up moving and get the blood pumping.
12. Keep a gratitude journal, in which you write down things that you are thankful for. This is a great way to start and end each day. For a quick "pick-me-up," write as many gratitude’s as you can in one minute. Don't think; just write.
13. Make something. Use your creative mind, and create something.
14. What is your biggest goal (or your biggest problem)? Do one thing that will contribute to its completion (or its solution.)
15. Keep a running list of things you enjoy doing. This sounds funny, but sometimes, when we're in a funk, we can't think of anything. Do something that you enjoy doing, just for the sake of doing it.
16. Fix something. If you are not real handy, make it something simple, just so you can say you accomplished it..
17. Eat something healthy and fresh. Mood swings can come upon a person due to low blood sugar so keep fresh fruit and/or veges in your frig for a quick pick me up!
18. Buy or plant some flowers.
19. Pour a cup of hot cocoa or a cup of coffee and read a favorite magazine or book for a few minutes.
20. Make a to do list. Nothing that has to be done that instant, but thiongs you would like to accomplish. More than likely you will find something on that lisyt you will want to accomplish. IN doing so it takes your mind off your funk and puts you in a better mood when you can cross it off your list.
21. Crank on the tunes! Put on some upbeat music and make yourself dance!
22. Write down what's bothering you, as quickly as you can without stopping to think about it too much as you write. You can achieve clarity from this exercise and possibly find a solution to the problem that is bring your mood down.
23. Cheer someone else up!
24. De-clutter a part of your home or office.
25. Set a new goal. Having a new direction can direct your mind away from the mood and bring on a sense of excitement.
Make sure you are getting plenty of rest. And by plenty of rest, I do not mean, sleep all day. I am meaning a regular sleep pattern where you are getting ample sleep daily. It is alright to have a bad day now and again. It is normal. But don’t let your bad day risk your recovery. Do something to regain a better mood and out look if you are feeling weak.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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That's a lot of suggestions and I have to admit that I've never considered some of them. I appreciate all of the useful info I find on this site. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteGreat list but I particularly liked #5. It's important to be able to laugh at yourself and that's a good way to accomplish it.
ReplyDeleteI think most people can benefit from your list, I know I sure can. I've written down several of the ones that caught my eye. I love your site. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteA motivational speaker I heard several years ago talked about this. She said that every morning she greeted herself in the mirror and complimented herself. I laughed at the time, but I started doing it too. I can't tell you how different it made me feel. I still do it and recommend it to everyone.
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