Managing moods

Think about what is going on in your life at the moment? Are you looking after yourself? Are you getting enough sleep? There may be simple aspects of your life that you can change to improve control over your moods. Many things can trigger moodiness including: Tiredness: sleep deprivation and over-sleeping leaves you very vulnerable to moodiness. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, you may be sleeping too little or too much. Try to keep regular sleep patterns. If you have trouble getting to sleep try relaxation techniques (see our sleep handout). Diet: are you eating enough to fuel your mind? Are you eating so much you feel tired or guilty? Try to eat breakfast, followed by healthy and regular meals. Don’t let your mood dominate your food choices. Caffeine: remember that too much caffeine can cause and amplify feelings of anxiety. Try replacing every second drink with water. Physical activity: is increasingly being recognised as a key to managing moods. Next time you feel angry or frustrated, try letting it out with vigorous exercise. If you’re feeling tired or low, stretching or yoga might be worth a try (though vigorous exercise often helps to re-energise too). Medication: some forms of medication have side-effects that impact on mood. If you are concerned about this speak to your GP. Hormones: try charting your moods and keep life as easy as possible when you know your mood might be vulnerable to hormones. Drugs or alcohol: it is common to seek pleasant experiences through drug or alcohol use when feeling low. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use (especially excessive use) can increase vulnerability to mood swings and depression. If you suspect this to be causing you troubles, monitor your moods both during and after use. Unwell: being tired and sick leaves us all irritable. Take some time out and let your body recoup. Taking too much on: sometimes this is inevitable when balancing study, work and life.