Best Ways To Get Rid of Mood Swings

Mood swings can happen to anyone and everyone at any point in time. Mood swings are a noticeable change in someone’s emotional state. Although these changes in emotion can be very drastic, mood swings are a natural part of people’s lives. Many mornings we tend to start in a good place. We are happy and excited to be awake to challenge the day, but this feeling this can take a sudden 180-degree turn, changing your mood at the drop of a hat.

There are many factors that can cause your mood swings; these can vary from stress and anxiety to depression, bipolar disorder, lack of sleep, drugs or alcohol, caffeine and sugar, premenstrual cycle, menopause, or the cause that gets most people every time: hunger.

Read on to find out how to get rid of your mood swings, or limit them at the very least!

1. Get some sleep.

Sleep is the best type of medicine for almost any bad feeling or illness. To best manage your sudden changes in emotion, it is best to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night. You may think that this is a hard task to complete. One of the best ways to accomplish this objective is by clearing your nightly schedule of extracurricular activities.

By doing so, you will allow yourself to increase your sleep, while still managing to get up for work in the mornings.

2. Avoid TV before bed.

You may think that having a television in your bedroom is awesome. Watching TV or any bright screen electronics such as your phone or tablet stimulates your brain and reduces the production of melatonin, which is a hormone necessary for quality sleep.

Now, if you absolutely feel the need to watch TV before bed, studies show and recommend that very dim screens combined with conservative viewing is an acceptable alternative, but turning it off entirely is the best. This means you should avoid committing to a full-length movie! Sports highlights, or something equally tame and short will be okay as there are less flicking lights and changes in scenery.

3. Limit caffeine amounts.

Caffeine can affect particular mood swings as it is a central nervous system stimulant that affects your emotional behaviour and feelings.

Studies demonstrate that large amounts of caffeine can be related to depression. Caffeine is also associated with the difficulties sleeping, as it makes it more difficult to do so. Sleep deprivation; another cause of mood swings, should then be avoided by not drinking more than one coffee or other caffeinated beverage in a day, as well as avoiding a cup of coffee before bed.

4. Limit alcohol.

Heavy and regular alcohol drinkers are shown to develop some symptoms of depression, which mood swings can certainly be a part of. This is specifically caused by reducing the levels of serotonin, which is a chemical designed specifically to maintain and regulate your mood.

Along with directly affecting your mood, alcohol is shown to affect your ability to sleep, as well your ability to experience anxiety and stress from certain situations that usually would not cause anxiety.

5. Keep a well balanced diet.

Having a balanced diet is very important to your health, and can result in a decrease in sudden mood swings. Abrupt changes in your diet might alter the overall brain structure both physiologically and chemically, which can lead to altered negative behaviours.

By maintaining a balanced diet with your complex carbohydrates and a source of protein at each meal, as well as your five servings of fruits and/or vegetables, you can maintain a constant mood with a limit of sudden mood changes.

Of course, you can break the rules sometimes. Including a small dessert after dinner to treat yourself can also give you a boost to your mood!

6. Exercise regularly.

Exercise, or any hobby that requires you to be physically active is a great way to relieve you of your stress and anxiety to limit your unwanted mood swings. Whether it is in the form of working out at the gym, joining a yoga class, going for a run, or an extracurricular activity, exercise is a great way to remove life’s stressors, and is necessary to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle!

7. Stay away from illicit drugs.

These illicit drugs might temporarily convince you that you are dealing with your stress or life problems, when in fact they are only helping you avoid your stress at that particular time while you are feeling a ‘high.’ After your high has worn off, you can’t avoid your stress or anxiety.

Drugs can also pose a health risk and can have many effects on your body including your central nervous system, your brain, and your eyesight.

8. Have a snack.

Have you suffered from being “hangry?” Have you ever heard of someone being “hangry?”

“Hangry” describes the feeling of anger, as a result of being hungry. What is even worse is when you are suffering from “hanger” and someone calls you out on it. Whether the snack is a little granola bar, or something bigger, anything to help tie you over and avoid the feeling of a mood swing is great! Try not to overdo it, of course, as snacking can get out of hand if you’re not careful.

Mood swings are a natural part of a person’s life, but if these are truly affecting your lifestyle and the people around you, mood swings can be very dangerous to not only you but the people around you as well. Whether your mood swings shift from the feeling of excitement to sadness, or friendly to angry, always remember that these methods can all affect and help prevent whatever your change in emotions and behaviors are!

Many mood swings are not too serious and can be caused by something as simple as stubbing your toe. However, there are some severe cases where these mood swings are too extreme and can affect this person’s life. If this is the case, some mood swings might be the sign of something more serious, like bipolar disorder. Bipolar is typically referred to as an extreme change in emotions, from manic to depression.

Bipolar disorder and depression are serious mental disabilities that can affect the loved ones around you. If you, or anyone you know may be suffering from either, please contact their family and friends and to speak with a doctor so that you can get the treatment you require.

After following all of the above steps, in whole or in part, you should be well on your way to getting rid of the mood swings that are bothering you in your life. Remember that your mood swings have an effect not only on you but on your friends, family, and coworkers surrounding you as well. If you are able to do so, preventing mood swings before they happen is a great idea for your overall happiness and quality of life.