EternalQ

I woke up in a great mood and have somehow stumbled into a rather bad one and don't know why. I was excited for today's plans and now feel grouchy and don't even want to do them!

I meditated which usually helps but I just felt repeated waves of fear and defensiveness. I will take a shower and try prayer and hope that helps. But I was wondering, what are other peoples antidotes for sudden dark moods?

Thepatman

I usually wait untill they pass. I've been in a constant emotional rollercoaster since I got sober almost a month ago. It's nothing comparing to the way I felt drinking so I'm just waiting untill I have 6 months sobriety to see if I stabilize.

Windancer

Journalling, taking a walk (or doing something else of any kind), talking or posting here, eating something healthy, drinking hot tea, cleaning, watching one of my favorite movies. ANd sometimes when none of this works or I dont have the motivation to do it, I accept Im in a bad mood and try to remember that it will pass.

MidnightBlue

Hi, Eternal. I know exactly what are you talking about) When I am smashed with high waves of anger or despair there is nothing like great high-intensive workout, the one that makes you sweat and feel every muscle. Another way - to do something challening that I've been postponed for a long time or just have no guts to do. It's like fire kills fire and one high wave extinguishes another high wave.

Have a great day)

Mark75

Do something nice for someone else... better yet if it is anonymous.

I get those days too, the only way for me is to get out of self... Exercise, meditation, all that usually only helps a little.

Xune

Exercise.

TTBABP

Most of the time I, like thepatman, just wait for it to pass. Occassionally, I throw a crazy mini tantrum (relly just a lot of venting) - witnessed only by the girl I work with and we both wind up venting -then laughing -then crying and sometimes that makes the feeling pass. Its probably more about getting it all out to a confidant. I think it all depends on what causes the dark mood and if I can even figure out what caused it.

Casmasta

This is one of my biggest struggles since getting sober..
Fully realizing that I have moods, and sometimes they are AWFUL.

I say to myself, "You need to change your attitude."
I try to divert my thoughts as dark ones rise up..
Like.. Recognize it, and push it away.

Sometimes that mood just stays, though, and I just have to ride that out.
For the day.. Or a couple of days.
Overall, I try to laugh at just how grumpy I actually am.

It passes.. So I just have to keep telling myself that.


Anyone else just flabbergasted that they aren't just plain even-keeled all the time?
Hahaha.
I thought that was for sure going to happen when I quit drinking.
But here I am...
A regular person with moods and feelings.
DANGIT!

:rotfxko

Casmasta

Oh, yeah! TTBABP!

That's something else I do..
I try to examine it..

I think Vinyl posted something a while back, about anger..
I try to put that into play with all negative feelings.

"Why am I REALLY upset?"
"Is this worth being upset?"
"Is me being upset going to change anything?"

Thinking about it like that changes the shape of your anger/mood a bit.
Makes you look at it.. And takes the edge off.


But like I said, sometimes that stuff just stays anyway.
And then I just ride it out.

LDT

My bad mood doesn't stand a chance after I finish a Yoga class ......especially a Power Yoga class. .... works every time!!

gaffo

I play with my kids or remind myself how much worse it would be with a hangover. I grew up around a grouchy dad so i try to never subject other people, especially loved ones, to my bad moods.

Sadiezilla

I've already read a ton of great suggestions... meditation, exercise(yoga), etc.
For as long as I can remember, I've had anxiety and panic attack problems so naturally I've tried a lot of these methods, not only for letting a sour mood pass but to calm myself from pretty intense anxiety as well.

I've found that journaling is great. I find that when I sit down, and just start writing without any template or guidelines in mind, I'll often end up with six or seven pages and a lot of feelings and emotions I wasn't even aware were effecting me so much. If I feel like the bad mood or anxiety can be at least partially attributed to another person and my relationship with them, I'll write them a letter... one that I'd never actually send to that person.
Afterwards, I burn the pages because it's symbolic to me. I've dealt with, and confronted the emotions that were bothering me and causing me bad moods and uncomfortable emotions. Once I've dealt with them, I can move on.

Another thing I read is that watching comedy t.v. and movies is scientifically proven to lift people's moods and spirits. Defiantly worth a try.

bbthumper

Amen to that. Always feels like the last thing I want to do when Im done, but works every time!

quitforme79

So glad you posted this...I posted something similar this morning. I am KIND of starting to come out of it....reading how others do it always helps, thanks!

Pondlady

Been thinking lately about " Which came first? Moodiness , or drinking ?" Kind of like the chicken or the egg theory? Sober, coming up on six months, and find I'm moody. I tend to over analyze things....so try getting outside of myself.....but also making sure I have ME time.

TTBABP

Love it!

2granddaughters

When I came into Alcoholics Anonymous an oldtimer told me that when he was having a bad day he just started the day over again right then and there.

Stop, admit the problem, humbly ask your Higher Power for help and begin the day again. It works !

All the best.

Bob R

Junebugapril

What takes your mind completely off of everything else so that you only think about the thing you are doing right now?

duane1

Running.

EternalQ

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!