Nobody enjoys being in a bad mood, yet we all experience it. When this happens, pretty much anything can annoy us – and when we’re feeling grouchy, it may be hard to even pinpoint how that bad mood came about.

In addiction recovery, it’s important to consider what it means to be in a bad mood. That way, we learn how to recognize them when they happen – and then we can take proactive measures to ensure that we don’t act out in ways we’ll later regret.

Symptoms of a Bad Mood

Take a quick inventory of the last time you were in a bad mood. Did you:

  • Skimp out on eating proper fruits and vegetables?
  • Refuse to go outside and get some fresh air or sunlight?
  • Feel dehydrated?
  • Overwork yourself?
  • Spend too many hours scrolling through social media?
  • Slouch?
  • Frown for a long time?
  • Feel exhausted?
  • Avoid being out in nature?

If you said yes to any (or all) of these symptoms, it means that you should be taking steps to get yourself out of a bad mood – especially if you find that it tends to last all day.

Find Solutions

How do you break out of a bad mood? You might just need to do the exact opposite of what’s listed above, even if you don’t feel like it.

For example, previous studies have found that smiling can actually release endorphins which are known to improve a person’s mood. So even if you’re feeling like a grump, something as simple as smiling may work to change your emotions.

Another idea is to distract yourself, even just for a minute. Turn on a movie that you love or read a good book. Take a quick walk outside. Eat a healthy snack. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling better and on your way to a happier day.

If you’re ready to seek help, speak with a professional at Alta Loma today.

Alta Loma sees things differently. We see you and we offer the kind of personalized care that you won’t find elsewhere, ensuring you have the highest likelihood of staying healthy and sober for life. Alta Loma provides high-quality and proven transformational care programs, offering a comprehensive array of tools and the support you need to sustain your new healthy lifestyle. It’s never too late to start. Call us today at (866) 457-3843.