Bad Mood - How to Get Out ! ! !

We all have times when we need to get out of a bad mood, or escape from a negative frame of mind.

I know I need to make an effort to change how I’m feeling when I find myself spiraling into a black mood. I might be unreasonably angry, irritable or tearful. I might be in one of those moods which we all get from time to time – wanting to scream, or hit something (or someone). Obviously, this isn’t pleasant for me or for the people around me, and it destroys my ability to focus on doing anything productive, just like I'm ordered telur planta at the mamak instead of roti planta (sigh).

So I’ve found, partly through trial-and-error, and partly through reading the advice of others, things which help me to pull myself out of a bad mood.

When I need to break out of a black mood, these are great instant fixes:

* Anything that makes me laugh. Comedy movie – silly but it works...because my girlfriend tried before, even just for the 2 hours in the cinema.

* Hugging someone. This helps when I’m sad, not always when I’m angry! But the timing and location must be right.

* McDonald's Ice Cream. Really work for me, but need at least 3 cones...

* Driving Fast. Last time I like to used it, but much much lesser now, because I need to take care someone forever...

* Going Uphill. When stress and moody, perhaps driving up to a hill to relax. Nice feeling when after rain or sunset...

* Nice Fine Dining. Last time is crave everything into the stomach, now is more fine dining, especially western with Guinness or Wine.

Whatever activities you use to change your state of mind, they should be things that make you laugh or relax. The main problem I struggle with, though, is that when I’m feeling very upset or wound up with something, I tried to cheer up. It’s hard to explain this (or even understand it!).

Rationally, I know this is nonsense: I can and do change my state to escape from a horrible mood. The hardest thing is to just remember this, and to turn to my list of “mood-breaking” activities.

One thing that does help is when my girlfriend recognizes that I’m getting into a bad mood; she’ll encourage me to go for McDonald's Ice Cream or she will be the "scutiest" cheering me up , or she’ll come and give me a hug. If you’ve got a close family member or friend you can rely on, give them permission to tell you to take a "time out" when they recognize that you’re in a bad mood and thank them (once you’re firmly back to your usual self!)... I'm cheer up after writing this...