Best ways to beat a bad mood

BY Mim Beim Naturopathy expert

Everyone wants to feel happy, but some days it’s hard to find a sense of contentment or joy in life. Here are some tips to put that smile back on your dial

Keep blood sugar levels steady

Does your mood head south an hour or two after lunch? The 3pm mark is the classic hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar time. Rather than chuck a tanty and scoff a box of chocolates, avoid processed sugar altogether and take a supplement containing chromium and zinc with each meal. Prepare for a steady blood sugar day, by eating a protein packed breakfast such as a couple of eggs, baked beans or a protein powder smoothie.

Take the right supplements

If you feel grumpy at the same time every month, there is a chance your mood is influenced by hormones. The classic time of irritability and tetchiness is from ovulation to Day 1 or 2 of your period. Known as the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, there are several remedies that help including Vitex agnus-castus, Evening primrose oil, and a B complex containing B6 and B1. Take all through the month for best effect.

Take a deep breath

If you feel like slapping the next person who tells you to ‘take a big deep breath and calm down’, maybe you should try it first. Slowing down your breathing switches on the parasympathetic, or relaxing nervous system, whereas breathing through your mouth and fast shallow breathing switches on the opposite - sympathetic or ‘flight and fight’ nervous system. Ensure you breathe slowly through your nose, into your belly and enjoy the ride.

Make sure you have the 3 pillars of happiness

It may sound simplistic, but ensuring you have the three pillars of happiness in place will go a long way to lighten your mood. Find something to do, someone (even a puss) to love, and something to look forward to. Make a date in your diary today.

Calm your nervous system

If you find yourself irritable, cross and cranky, it is likely your nervous system is working overtime. Calming down the nervous system will help you to relax, unwind and replace narkiness with niceness. Herbs that are calming to the nervous system include passionflower, zizyphus, magnolia, lemon balm and St. John’s wort. Take them in tea, tablet or tincture form. Essential oils, clary sage, bergamot and frankincense are soothing to the nerves. Fire up a vaporiser and chillax.

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