I've been discovering recently that my ability to get into a bad mood is becoming much better, wereas my ability to get out of said bad mood, is much worse.
The cause of this could be down to a number of things (hormones????!!!!$$$) but to be honest, I'm blaming absolutely everything on the stress of our house renovation. So, let's go with that for now.
Anything can trigger these impending grumpy episodes, with the most popular offenders being an incoming bank statement, someone chewing loudly nearby, a comment from my husband about my outfit, or a client email sent on either a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon. And, once I'm in it, I've often been finding myself going into full self-destruction mode, taking down anyone or anything in my way for the next hour or so.
"Just find a quiet space, take a few deep breaths, and wait a few mins to calm down." That would've been my advice to my former self - the one who could quite easily forgive and snap out of things pretty easily. But this new, more highly-strung, getting-closer-to-menopause me requires a little more coercing. Therefore, I thought it might help me, and hopefully, anyone else going through a similar grump phase, to document some of the things that have really helped me recently to snap out of it and calm down the soonest.
Obviously some are location dependent, but there should be one for most situations.
Immedietly taking myself to be completely alone to reflect on the situation. Wherever I am at this time, I find a place where I can be completely alone with no noise at all. Locking a door if necessary. Then, I think about the situation that has just triggered my negative emotions and drill down to whether it is actually justified or not. My mood not change either way, but it does help to know if I'm being completely unreasonable or not this time.
Playing any of these songs loudly - Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston, or Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars.
Talking to someone who is at least 10 years older than myself - not only does it make me feel better about my own age, but I usually gain some helpful life advice at the same time.
Taking a tropical shower. By this I mean starting with a warm and nurturing temperature, then gradually getting colder and colder by the minute, until water is running freezing cold for at least 30 seconds.
Watching this Cute Animals video - at least twice.
Listening to any Ross Rayburn happiness meditation on the Peloton App.
Putting on a Spacemask heated eye mask for ten mins while simultaneously massaging my own arms and hands with my own opposite hands. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
Calling my bestie to offload, or if she doesn't answer, sending her a voice note getting everything off my chest in a 90-second rant. Then sending her a second one apologising for the first message.
Dancing! As energetically as possible, for as long as possible. Music not essential.
Eating something completely delicious and nurturing - but that won't make you feel guilty or sluggish ten minutes later. Maybe a warm mug of soup, some falafel with hummous, or a veggie wrap with tahini. After all, maybe the grump is just hanger?
Got any secret tips of your own?? List below so we can all share!