What would you call your current emotional state: happy or sad? To round off the conversation, I’d like to learn more about your day. Your day is either going bad or going well depending on how you’re feeling, so if you’re down, I’d say you’re having a horrible day. Isn’t it obvious? But here’s the thing: if it has such a significant impact on our lives, why don’t we do a better job of controlling our mood? After all, a negative attitude shouldn’t destroy our day. However, I’ve yet to meet a single person who has talked about controlling their moods. All of us assume that our moods are impacted by external influences. Things we cannot influence. A common theme in the writings of the Stoics is the need of keeping our emotions in check. As a result, they serve as a helpful reminder that we have no control over things beyond our own control. However, no matter how you live your life, you will eventually have to deal with irritating people or circumstances that irritate you – things that dampen your spirits.
So how do you prevent yourself from getting into a foul mood, which is a result of external factors? Undeniably, a cheerful disposition does not just happen. Let’s talk about those two issues.
1. How to manage a Negative Mood:
  When was the last time you kept track of how often you had a poor mood? I was able to. This much I can tell you. In my experience, if you’re anything like me, you’re more frequently than not in a foul mood.
- Have you had a sleepless night?
- Is it raining or snowing?
- In a bind due to heavy traffic?
- At work, do you have to put up with a jerk?
- Is it possible to be disrespected by an employee?
That’s life, my pal. Things don’t always go your way. Everybody, even the richest and happiest people, has to face with the dangers of life. To control a bad mood, we must first become conscious of our problem, as is true for nearly every process aimed at improving a bad situation. And, no, the fact that horrible things happen is not an issue. My point isn’t to discourage us from engaging in activities that make us unhappy. Weak people behave in this manner. In the end, it’s not the event that’s bad, but our unfavourable reaction to it. Always keep in mind that unpleasant feelings can be quite beneficial. There’s a good explanation for them. However, it is important to acknowledge that a negative attitude is a problem and that it is not healthy. Record your mood every day for the following two weeks, exactly like you would an activity journal entry. Try to figure out what causes you to become depressed. Nothing else exists. As before, we’re not attempting to prevent falling into a foul mood by avoiding these activities. We’re attempting to get the word out about this issue. Getting out of it is the only way to get yourself back on track.
2. How to Boost Your Mood Positively
When you have a greater understanding of yourself and know what causes a bad emotional state, the next step is to take action.
That’s why…Please begin the drum roll.
The following stage is……Take no action.
“Wow, you’re the man. To say this is disappointing would be an understatement.”
Do yourself a favour and resist the urge to act on your first reaction. In most cases, things go awry.
There are times when I receive ill-intentioned messages via email, social media, or other means of communication. When someone couldn’t access an Amazon free eBook that I shared, he accused me of lying in an email that I received this morning. That he doesn’t know his way through Amazon is not my fault. That irritates me, and I’m not happy about it. My initial reaction was to dismiss it. But then I told him to off (and if people write me back to judge my writing style, I tell them the same). Admittedly, this isn’t the most ideal response. The problem is that if I don’t answer, I feel like I haven’t done enough to defend myself. Defending my principles is a top priority for me. First impressions are often based on our emotions. My first inclination was to simply ignore it in this instance. However, I’m not advocating that you ignore all stimuli. We only need to take a few moments to consider the consequences. In the end, is it worth it to risk your reputation or your relationship? Then, it’s time to take action. Assume you’ve grown tired of being irritated by your current romantic partner. Think about it: “As a result, she’ll be dissatisfied if I get furious. In the event that she cannot communicate with me when I am enraged, my rage will grow. Because of this, it is best if I avoid letting my emotions get the better of me.”
Even if it helps you feel better in the moment, it’s best not to lash out if you value your connection. It’s difficult to control our moods. First, we don’t succeed in our endeavour. However, with practice and patience, you will gain greater mastery over the factors that affect your mood. Then again, let’s say something awful happens. What’s next?
Do this:
Focus on the positive aspects of life. Bring on the happy hormones. Consider the big picture. Make it a point to never spend more than 10 minutes in a foul mood. You can’t help but feel sorry for yourself. Respond. Embrace your sense of shame. Then, you can go on. I’m not going to sit here and claim that I’m always happy. When things go awry, it’s easy to get bogged down in a pessimistic mindset. Positive people, on the other hand, are never able to maintain a terrible mood for long. I’ve been known to have terrible moods that last all day. To which I will never agree. We don’t have enough time in this world to wallow in our own pain. Take a step back and appreciate the time you have left on this Earth. And while you’re doing it, make an effort to have a positive outlook on life.
