Finding Balance in Mood Swings
Updated: Jan 14, 2021
Mood swings can feel like your life is spiraling out of control. Sometimes it feels like a war in the brain. The mind is racing, confusion surrounds you and loneliness takes its hold. It can feel impossible to make a decision, focus, do something productive or even go through the simple motions of the day. Mental paralysis can set in preventing you from doing anything accept suffering inside of your restless mind. Anger and irritation can dampen your thoughts and behaviors. Awkward conversations can be embarrassing. Impulsive decisions and irrational thinking can lead to trouble. It is frightening and bewildering. You may decide to hide from the world, isolate and stay away from trouble. This is all compounded by lack of sleep and complete exhaustion of the mind and body. It’s 10am and you feel like you have been in a battle for a week.
This sounds like hell, but it is a familiar occurrence for those that suffer from mood swings and mood conditions. You are not alone. Trying to find a way to overcome the debilitating and relentless assault of a mood swing can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to stay this way. There are things that you can do right now that can help you to quiet your mind, find peace and stability, and overcome the gridlock of chaos in the brain.
Create your own Peacetime Plan and end the war inside your mind. It is important to find things that can help you to create a balance and harmony. Stabilizing, finding your inner calm, and managing stress are a priority for you. Remember, stress is a big trigger for mood swing severity. The internet and books have a lot of valuable information that offers insight and suggestions surrounding an abundance of topics designed to manage your mood. Doing the research and finding what works best for you is the key. Identifying your stress triggers that increase mood swings is important. Simply put, a structured plan to increase your daily routine to include activities that manage stress and reduce mood swings along with identifying your major triggers is a way to have more control over how you feel.
Here is a Peacetime Plan and a list of proven and effective ways to reduce mood swings and increase well-being:
Have plenty of structure and incorporate these into your daily routine
Eat healthier: don’t obsess, just make healthier choices and keep your body fueled with nutritious food.
Less or no caffeine
Get enough sleep: nap if you have to
Practice good hygiene: brush your teeth, take a shower, and put some clean clothes on your body
Exercise: moderation is the key
Yoga
Mindfulness meditation
Massage
Spirituality
Prayer
Talking about it with a supportive friend
Family and friend time
12-step program and support meetings
Pick one task at a time and don’t be distracted by all the other ideas. Part of the problem with mood swings is that too many thoughts and ideas can prevent you from accomplishing any of them. So pick one. Avoid paralysis. The other ideas will be there when you are finished. Also, limit yourself to one or two a day and keep it realistic.
Journal writing
Creativity: drawing, painting, music etc.
Counseling and therapy
Vitamins and supplements: be careful about what you take because some vitamins and supplements can have a negative effect. Consult with a professional before you make any decisions.
It’s important to make your Peacetime Plan a priority so you can enjoy balance. For example: some people enjoy the benefits of meditation, healthy eating, exercise, sleep and structure in order to achieve a balance that allows them to take control of their mood swings. They make them a priority in their life and utilize the other things on their Peacetime Plan to enhance their well-being. You can do this too! Make a plan with some structure that can help you to manage your moods better. Finally, pay attention to what stresses you the most and causes you to swing into frenzy. Is it too much coffee, not enough sleep, racing thoughts, overwhelming feelings, too much to do? Whatever they are, it is important to know them so you can learn ways to minimize and cope with them. Chances are, most of them will be alleviated when you start following your Peacetime Plan.
If you are suffering from mood swings and mood difficulties it is important to seek professional help. Call Milford Counseling at:248-529-6383. They could help you to get the help you need. Please click here for more information. If you are feeling suicidal, don’t hesitate, seek professional help immediately.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255