I don’t think we talk about low mood enough.  If you struggle with a persistent low mood, life can feel hard:  It’s harder to get up in the morning.  It’s harder to do the daily stuff of life - get dressed, do chores, and make food.  Motivation is low so it’s hard to start things.  It’s harder to move your body.  Low mood can manifest as low thoughts, negative feelings, and/or a low, heavy feeling in the body.

You are definitely not alone if you suffer a low mood.

Getting in touch with your doctor can be useful:

-If your low mood persists consistently for more than a few weeks

-If your low mood impacts your ability to function effectively in your daily life

Some of us need a synthetic boost of serotonin short term (or long term).  There is nothing wrong with you if this is the case!

Here are some things you can do right now to bolster a low mood:

-Schedule a therapy session.  Especially if your low mood is tied to life circumstances, a therapist (like me!) can help you talk it out, process feelings, and problem solve anything that can be solved.

-Exercise.  Get yourself off the couch and outside (or on a treadmill indoors) for a walk or a jog.  It can take some energy to get started, but you will feel so much better afterwards.  If walking or jogging is not possible, move any part of the body available to you.  Or just sit or stand outdoors for a bit.

-In the winter when there is less daylight for your skin to absorb, a SAD lamp can be useful.  Sit in front of it each morning for 20 minutes and watch your mood even out.

-Nita Sweeney has a book entitled “Depression Hates a Moving Target”.  I agree with this line!  Move your body and mind by cooking, doing basic chores, reading, exercising, and staying connected with people.  Resist the temptation to remain stagnant like stay in bed, scroll, sit around, overeat, and otherwise be unproductive.

If you do some of the above repeatedly, you will find some relief.  You will start to see the light.

Nadine