What kinds of things affect your good days and bad days?
I have an idea, you see... it's really a pretty simple idea and i've been working on it for some time. After things happened in my life a number of years ago, i started having anxiety and depression. I've read some about it, i've tried advice (some of it expensive advice), but it wasn't helping enough. So my simple idea was for me to just start observing when my mood changed what also happened at the same time, or just before my mood change. I thought, if i figure out the things that affect it, some of the causes might be outside of my control, but probably lots of the causes are within my ability to influence, and i can learn how to live happily again.
So far, it does help, though i've found it takes constant practice and attention, but with time it gets better and easier.
For me, some of the things that contribute to my feeling sad or anxious:
SAD or ANXIOUS:
-lack of sleep
-isolation, friends withdrawing, and loneliness
-not expressing myself when there is something i need to say
-others being loudly angry with me
-harsh criticism or judgment
-harsh self-criticism
-laziness and avoidance
-stress
-clutter and when i let the housekeeping slip
-December
-thinking much about the past
-worry rather than action
Some of the things that improve my mood:
Better Moods & Greater Confidence
-good sleep, daily exercise, healthy food
-comfortable time with good people
-friends seeking out my company
-closeness with others, openess in what i am feeling
-giving to others (teaching, encouraging)
-being around people who are positive and encouraging
-thinking about good things that happen now
-challenge to move forward, but not so that it is overwhelming
-visible or measurable progress.
-an organized and pleasant home
-things done each day for enjoyment: a good meal, a movie, a bath
So i want to ask everyone,
What things affect your moods?
And have you ever thought about this and consciously worked towards giving yourself more of what you need to be happy?
