Mood Swings

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MOOD SWINGS

A good mood can have a half-life that's shokingly short. While something more stable, like plutonium, will take a good mood can dissipate in mere minutes. After whistling your way through the morning commute, you can hit the skids and slide into the blues or the jitters long before lunch hits the table.

Stabilizing the pendulum

Act, don't brood

If you feel yourself slipping into depression or anxiety get up and do something-take a walk or clean the clutter off your desk. One of the best ways to stop a mood from getting really severe is to do something that gives you a sense of control and accomplishment.

Exercise fo 20 minutes

We know that exercise has an antidepressant effect.

Distract yourself

Just about any activity can help take your mind off your mood. If you can stop ruminating for a while, you can get perspective on whatever triggered the swing and think about that more clearly.

Think rationally

Sometimes you're too depressed or anxious about something to take your mind off your mood, even temporarily.

Get a second opinion

To help you think rationally, talk things through with a friend.

Treat yourself

If you're dropping into a depressed or anxious mood, pampering yourself may help. Take a bubble bath buy yourself some flowers and put them on your desk or listen to music by your favourite composer, for instance.

Grab some mood food

Certain foods or food combinations set off a series of chemical reactions in your brain that help determine whether you feel content, on one hand, or anxious or depressed on the other.

Reach for a bagel

If you're free-falling into anxiety, an all-carbohydrate snack like a cinnamon-raisin bagel with jam might help.

Skip the alcohol

Essentially, alcohol is a depressant. If you're ready blue, it will make you feel worse. So if your mood is floundering, don't take solace in a drink.

Watch the caffeine

Caffeine-a stimulant-will make you feel more anxious if your nerves are fraying.

Get enough sleep

You're especially vulnerable to mood swings when you're sleep-deprived. Get enough sleep, particularly when you know that swings are more probable, like during the week before your period. If you have insomnia, try different remedies until you find what works for you.