Mood Swings: How to Better Understand What Drives Them

Moods are subjective things, hard to describe. But we all know what we’re talking about. And we certainly understand the term “mood swings”, too. Up one minute, down the next.

Even though moods are hard to describe, we can usually relate when others name the state of mind they are in.

We understand what someone means when they say they’ve been feeling low, depressed, happy, stressed or uncertain.

Even if others don’t tell us how they feel, most of us pick up on their vibe pretty quickly. We can usually tell if someone is grumpy or light-hearted. And we tend to modify our own behavior accordingly.

Most of us tend to do a pretty good job of noticing when other people’s moods seem to vacillate, but how much attention do we pay to our own?

How to Cope with Mood Swings

As cognizant as we may be about the vibes of those around us, we may not pay nearly as much attention to our own state of mind.

This is a problem. Because our emotional state influences almost everything that happens to us. When we learn to pay attention to and manage our mindset actively, we become more powerful. More in control of our lives and our destiny.

We each cycle through moods regularly.

We recognize them in ourselves, and are often cognizant of when a shift occurs, though we may not always know why.

Some of us may experience changes in our personal vibe depending on the time of day. Or what we’ve eaten, the phase of the moon, or how much sleep we’ve had. And sometimes an isolated event can trigger a change. Whatever the driver, it can often be challenging to shake it once that new feeling latches onto us.

The Difference Between Mood and Emotion

Moods tend to linger for a period of time, sometimes days or weeks. Emotions are usually more fleeting. We often can’t identify what triggers a change in our overall mood.

However, when we experience an emotion (say joy or anger) we can usually pinpoint what brought it on.

When we’re experiencing a certain kind of mood, we are prone to a particular set of emotions, however, so the two are closely linked.

How a Positive Mood Can Impact Us

Research shows that when we are in a good or positive mood, we tend to be creative. Other benefits include stronger decision making and problem solving.

Why?

Studies suggest that we in a good mood, our brains have improved access to information that helps us perform.

Further, when we are in a good mood, we also have stronger will power. And stronger will power is known to improve our decision making as well.

The flip side? When we’re feeling upbeat, we can be easily distracted, if there are stimuli worthy of our attention around us.

So, when we’re in a positive state of mind, it can be more difficult to concentrate on a complex task. Especially when we’re surrounded by other interesting sights, sounds, or smells.

How a Negative Mood Can Impact Us

Negative or bad moods may have a direct impact on how we perceive events or information.

When we’re down, we are more likely to attach negative implications to change, events or neutral statements.

Not surprisingly, those who tend towards a negative frame of mind are also more likely to experience chronic depression and anxiety.

When we are in a bad mood, it is also more difficult for us to process information and make good decisions.

And we find it more challenging to break away from negative thoughts. We tend to dwell on the worst and are more prone to worry.

Why It Pays to Attend to Our Own Mood Swings

It’s interesting that we don’t pay as much attention to our own moods as we do to those around us.

Nor do we tend to actively think about managing our moods. We tend to just ride them out.

This is especially curious when we consider how much understanding and managing our own state of mind may impact our future and ultimately, our destiny.

Think about it. Our mood can impact almost everything.

Whether we talk to someone, get our work done, when and how we make decisions, how well we remember what is happening around us.

No matter what is going on in our life, our mood alters it, somehow.

And given just a little information, training and attention, we can influence that mood to help drive better outcomes.

How We Naturally Manage our Mood Swings

Fortunately, we humans are somewhat naturally inclined to engage in activities that help “even out” our moods.

If we’re feeling high strung, we tend to seek out quiet and solitude.

When we’re feeling down, we revert to activities that we know may lighten our spirits.

We may crave some alone time or feel a strong desire to attend church or meditate.

Or we may feel a sudden urge to be entertained, listen to music, or watch a funny movie.

To a certain extent, we tend to crave foods that will help us, too.

Although sometimes our natural cravings are not as helpful as we would like.

We tend to crave sleep or rest when that is the best cure for what ails us, too – but on the other hand, there are times when we’re exhausted but we feel wired. Unable to calm down and certainly not to sleep.

So, we have a fair degree of natural instincts about how to keep ourselves on an even keel.

But at the same time, there are times when we kind of need to outsmart ourselves – so our moods don’t get the best of us.

How Nutrition Impacts Mood and Mood Swings

As mentioned above, diet is one factor that significantly impacts our mood.

The study of brain chemistry and the connection to the food we eat is complex.

But, in general, our moods are better the more whole foods we eat. The less we eat that comes out of a box.

In fact, the more processed food we eat, the more prone we are to experience low moods and even depression.

The good things to keep front and center in our diet? Fruit, vegetables, nuts, berries, lean proteins.

We just can’t go wrong with that stuff.

How Environment and Activity Impacts Moods and Mood Swings

The environment can also impact our moods.

This can include the daily weather, rain or sun, heat or cold, snow or sleet – it all impacts us. Some of us are very sensitive to extended periods of heat or cold, and the change of the seasons. Or extended period of darkness.

Regardless of the weather, how much time we spend outdoors can easily impact our moods as well.

Simply being in nature has a difficult to quantify but undeniable impact on our well-being.

Similarly, exercise (or lack thereof) can drive our moods, too. And of course, the amount and quality of sleep we are getting on a regular basis.

One last idea – sometimes our mood is impacted by the time of year, especially if it may be an anniversary of some significant or traumatic event.

Just realizing this can help us manage how we feel more effectively.

How to Identify Trends in Our Own Mood and Mood Swings

All the factors described above can impact our moods, however, they do not influence each of us the same way.

And each of us differ in terms of how sensitive we are to each potential driver of mood changes.

As mentioned above, it’s valuable knowledge to understand the moods we are each prone to. And it’s a valuable skill to be able to manage our moods to the extent we desire. This is not to say that we must always be upbeat and positive. Rather, that we understand our moods better, and can exert some influence over them when it’s good for us to do so.

How to Understand Our Moods and Mood Swings Better

To begin to understand the unique patterns we experience, the best place to start is with a journal. Start with some basic categories – sleep, exercise, diet, weather. Also, assign some broad descriptions to moods we experience regularly, or one particular mood we want to gain more insight about.

For example, if we struggle with anxiety, we can keep track of patterns in the weather, our diet, etc., and also keep track of the level of anxiety we experience on a given day.

Or if we are challenged in our ability to concentrate on certain tasks – keep track of the factors described above and watch to see if connections emerge.

There’s little we can do about the weather – but knowing we’re sensitive to patterns in it can help us prepare and be kinder to ourselves when a bad stretch is approaching.

Similarly, it can be very helpful to be able to attribute our moods to outside circumstances. For example, it helps me to understand that I may feel a little grouchy because I haven’t been getting enough sunshine, or exercise.

Mood Swings and Mood Disorders

Although the above advice can help many manage their moods, there are those of us who suffer from persistent mood patterns that are not so easily remedied. These disorders include but are not limited to major depression and bipolar disorder.

While it is helpful to pay attention to sleep, exercise, diet, etc., sometimes that is not a sufficient remedy.

If you suspect you have a mood disorder, please contact a medical professional for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

What will you do to harness your ability to manage your moods and mood swings?

Share a comment and let us know – we’re all in this together, and we’re all so much more than enough.

Thank you as always for reading.

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