• Request Appointment
  • Verify Insurance
  • Research Library
  • Exercise Library
Call/Text Us: 262-345-4166
HealthFlex
×
  • Appointments
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Physical Therapy
    • Sports Medicine
    • Pediatric Care
    • Senior Care
    • X-Ray & Labs
  • Store
    • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My account
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ

Get HAPPY! 5 Proven Fixes To Beat A Bad Mood

Get HAPPY! 5 Proven Fixes To Beat A Bad Mood
July 6, 2017Dr. Grant RadermacherDepression
Beat Your Bad Mood

It’s happened to all of us: something annoying or frustrating happens and we end up spending the rest of the day in a bad mood. Worse, it often leads to extra muscle tension that can affect the position of your spine and exacerbate headaches, neck pain and back pain.

It’s not easy to snap out of negative emotions, but the only person that can beat them is you! Here are five natural, proven tips that can make a big difference in helping you feel better. Don’t let your bad mood overstay its welcome!

If You’re Stressed

Fake it til you make it! Even forcing a smile helps reduce stress levels, according to research from the University of Kansas. The researchers had a group of college students hold chopsticks in their mouths in such a way to simulate either a neutral expression or a smile, then told the participants to hold their hands in ice water. They found that the forced-smilers had reduced heart rates and less anxiety compared to the non-smilers. The researchers concluded that you don’t need to actually be happy to reap the benefits of smiling.

What gives? Your brain is wired to receive feedback from your body that indicates how you’re feeling. Just as your mind controls your body, your body can also control your mind. Activating the specific facial muscles involved in smiling tells your brain “Calm down. You’re happy.” So instead of getting angry at the guy who just cut you off on the highway, force a smile instead!

If You’re Just Feeling Bummed Out

Take a break from work and go for a walk outdoors! A study published last month in The British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that simply taking a ten-minute walk in the park can significantly improve your mood. The researchers conducting the study recruited 12 young adults who had portable EEGs attached to their scalps while they took walks through either a park-like setting or a busy commercial district. The result of the EEG scans? Walks in nature had a restorative effect, improving energy, attention and stress levels.

If You’re Angry

Crank up the classical music! German scientists found that those who listened to Mozart or Beethoven before encountering a conflict acted less aggressively and had less residual anger after the event. Listening to more aggressive genres of music had the opposite outcome.

A separate study also found that listening to certain types of music can cause you to be a more dangerous driver. The researchers studied the driving habits of eight men and eight women, and looked at the driver’s β€œspeed, acceleration and braking” in relation to the genre of music they were listening to. Music with a faster tempo increased the heart rate of the driver, causing them to pay more attention to the music and less to the responsibility of driving. Interestingly, hip-hop music made female drivers behave most aggressively on the road and heavy metal had the same effect on men.

If You’re Nervous

You probably knew this one was coming at some point: Sit up straight! A recent study from the journal Biofeedback demonstrated that having a slouched, sloppy posture while sitting or standing can lead to feelings of depression and lowered energy levels. Scientists recruited 110 participants, and asked half of them to walk around in a slouched position while the other half skipped. The participants with bad posture reported a decrease in energy and more negative feelings while the skippers reported an energy boost and more positive emotions.

Living in the 21st century, many Americans spend the majority of their day slumped in front of a computer or television. If you can make even a slight change to the way you position your body it can have a big effect on your mood, energy levels, and overall health. Plus, you’ll be making your spine (and your chiropractor) happy!

If Nothing Else Works

Take the trash out! As silly as it sounds, the simple act of writing down your negative thoughts on paper and tossing it in the garbage can eliminate your bad mood, according to a study in Psychological Science. In one of their experiments, the researchers asked 83 participants to write down critical thoughts about themselves and then either throw the notes away or keep them. The results: the participants who kept their notes tended to rate themselves more negatively while those who trashed their notes had improved self-evaluations. The action gives a sense of finality to your thoughts, tricking your brain into thinking the bad thoughts are gone.




Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Comments

Jose Doad Reply
April 29, 2013

I didn’t know posture was related to depression!

isabelkroemerau Reply
October 16, 2013

Interesting post, when I get angry I simply listen mellow music and sleep. Then, as I wake up my anger was wash out it seems that nothings happen. That’s how I manage when bad moods trigger. Anyways, thanks for sharing those tips πŸ™‚ will apply it.

Add Comment Cancel


This blog uses premium CommentLuv. Enable CommentLuv?Show more posts

Ascent Chiropractic

16620 W Bluemound Rd
Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: 262-345-4166
Fax: 262-753-6908
[email protected]

  • Banded Glute Bridges & 3-Way Planks: The Smart DIY Fix For Back Spasms Feb 22

    Not all musculoskeletal problems are the same! There’s a common assumption that...

  • Beet Juice: The Newest ‘Performance Enhancing Drug’? Feb 15

    Can beet juice improve athletic performance? One of the latest hypes for...

  • Better, Safer Alternatives to the “Big 4” Lifts Feb 8

    More gym gains, fewer nagging injuries! Contrary to popular long-standing belief, you...

  • Will Going Out In The Cold Give You A Cold? Feb 1

    Can you really get sick from cold temperatures? Your mom always told...

  • The Back Exercise Everyone Needs To Add To Their Workout Jan 25

    Make this back exercise a staple. You know how important back strength...

  • How To Get Rid of Migraines Fast (and For Good!) Jan 18

    Got migraines? Here’s what works. If you’re one of the 39 million...

  • EVERYTHING You Know About Stretching Is Wrong Jan 11

    Quite a stretch: Stretching myths debunked! There are lots of reasons people...

  • 5 Resolutions We Should All Be Making For Our Physical & Mental Health In 2021 Jan 4

    Here’s how to start the New Year off right! The Year-That-Must-Not-Be-Named is...

  • Don’t Have Time For A Full Workout? Try Exercise “Snacks” Instead Dec 28

    Exercise doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. If you don’t have the time...

  • Use Acupressure to Clear Congested Sinuses in 30 Seconds Dec 21

    Stuffy sinuses are no fun. Especially in 2020, where every sniffle is...

  • Cortisone Steroid Injections: Can They Actually Make Things Worse?! Dec 14

    Cortisone Shots: The good, the bad and the ugly. Cortisone has been...

  • The Best Social-Distanced 2020 Holiday Events in Southeastern Wisconsin Dec 7

    Get out of the house & celebrate the holidays! Amid the current...

Office Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 12:30 pm

262-345-4166

[email protected]

16620 W Bluemound Rd #405, Brookfield WI 53005

Click to open a larger map

Copyright 2021 Β© Ascent Sports & Wellness. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy