Even a rough start doesn’t have to spoil your entire day. Often, a bad mood in the morning is just our body’s response to stress, which is meant to prepare us for threats. But if this response drags on, it can impact cognitive functions, making it hard to make decisions or manage tasks.
Here’s how you can take control and turn things around:
1. Change Your Physiology
You can shift your nervous system’s response to stress by activating the parasympathetic system, which helps with relaxation. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for a count of four, hold your breath for seven, and exhale for eight. This can help calm your mind and body.
Other activities like taking a walk, meditating, drawing, or listening to calming music can also reboot your system. Exercise, hugging someone, or playing with a pet can increase serotonin, oxytocin, or endorphins—all feel-good hormones.
2. Change Your Environment
Pushing through tasks in a bad mood can make things worse. Instead, try changing your location for a mental reset. If you’re at home, move to another room; if you’re at work, step out for a break or visit a relaxation area to give your brain a “refresh.”
3. Identify the Problem
Be honest with yourself about what’s bothering you. Naming the issue can make it easier to tackle or come to terms with situations you can’t change. This simple step can help release the mental hold it has over your day.
By shifting your perspective, adjusting your environment, and giving yourself a mental reset, you can turn around even the toughest day.