4 signs your mood is dropping

4 signs your mood is dropping

And 4 ways to get out of a funk.

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Being aware of how you’re feeling can be tricky because, generally, mood changes can be pretty subtle. I have to diligently be mindful of four distinct factors to circumvent a slide into a full-out depressive state. These are my early warning signs.

1. Loss of focus and creativity
2. Poor eating habits
3. Fatigue
4. Forgetfulness

Loss of Focus and Creativity

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I generally arrange my day with a to-do list with the amount of time dedicated to each task noted and 15-minute breaks every hour included. My daily routine is a relatively rigid format, but it works for me. When my mood is down, I find myself veering from this structure and being easily distracted — my focus shifts to working on less complex tasks that don’t require critical or creative thinking. My breaks become longer. Lack of focus can be an early indicator of mood dropping, so make a note of any aberrations in your daily tasks that require focus.

Poor Eating Habits

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I do an excellent job of monitoring my caloric intake in an app and leave room to enjoy non-healthy options occasionally. However, when my mood drops, this steadfast scientific recording of caloric intake goes out the window. If my diet switches to more significant consumption of greasy and processed foods, then I know my mood is dropping.

Fatigue

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Fatigue can rapidly siphon your energy and can be easily mistaken as the result of long hours in the office. However, downing energy drinks, coffee, or tea to make it through the day over your typical daily consumption, along with taking power naps in between Zoom meetings, should be a warning flare that something is amiss.

Forgetfulness

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Forgetfulness is the most hazardous and most irritating of these symptoms. Forgetting to show up at a meeting you planned can be pretty embarrassing and career-damaging. We all forget things but if it becomes persistent, this may be an indication that your mood is dropping.

Four ways to get out of a funk

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Here are some suggestions to break out of the spell.

1. Take a walk outside
2. Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
3. Do something nice for someone else
4. Write things down and set alarms

In just 12 minutes, a brisk walk can elicit positive emotions, and being outside can lower cortisol levels. There is a direct connection between the brain and the gut in terms of mood, and it’s essential to know that 90% of serotonin (happy chemical) receptors are located in the gut… So don’t feed the bad mood. Stay away from greasy, fatty, sugary, processed, and spicy foods.

Altruism improves mood. Go out and give someone a hand or simply a compliment.

“Altruists receive instant or long-term physical and psychological benefits from engaging in altruistic activities.” — Global Health 16, 61 (2020).

Making task lists can be a simple remedy to forgetfulness, and in addition to this, you can set a calendar reminder or phone alarm.

We all wake up in a funk sometimes. Hopefully, these things can make it go away faster. However, if your symptoms do not improve, please seek the help of a health professional.