Experiencing some “moodiness” or irritability here and there? Totally normal. It happens when stress, hunger, or fatigue sneak up on you. But if these mood swings become your frequent companions, there might be an underlying health issue playing the puppeteer.
Fluctuating Mood, whether in men or women, can seriously mess with your quality of life, mental health, and overall well-being. Unraveling the root cause, though, can empower you to make healthy lifestyle changes or seek the right treatment to get back on the feel-good track.
So, let’s explore the potential causes of mood fluctuating, peek into related health conditions, tackle common questions, and more – buckle up for the ride!
Common Causes Behind Mood Swings
Nutritional Deficiency– Your food isn’t just about satisfying your taste buds; it plays a leading role in your mental health too. Certain vitamins and minerals are like brain superheroes, influencing memory, cognition, and mood.
When you’re low on B vitamins, iron, or magnesium, it’s like dimming the lights on your mental health.
Signs of this deficiency include irritability, mood instability, fatigue, brain fog, and the blues. Combat this by kicking processed foods and excessive sugar out of your diet, welcoming whole foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, more.
Stress– Stress is like an unwelcome guest that overstays its welcome. It’s your body’s way of dealing with threats and challenges, releasing cortisol and adrenaline to help you power through stressful situations.
But here’s the catch: chronic stress is like the grumpy neighbor who never leaves. It keeps cortisol levels perpetually high, throwing your hormonal balance out of whack and unleashing extreme fluctuating mood.
Left untreated, chronic stress isn’t just a mood party crasher; it also ups the risk for mental health issues, heart disease, menstrual problems, and sleep troubles.
Take a breather, and if you suspect chronic stress, an at-home Sleep & Stress Test might be your ticket to insights and a nudge to see your healthcare provider.
Sleep and Lifestyle– Lack of proper sleep unleashes a chemical frenzy and builds up anxiety, flipping your mood like a pancake. Plus, it messes with your health. Sleep well; your mood will thank you.
Significant life changes, like starting a new diet, moving, or losing someone, can cause severe mood instability. It takes time to get used to the new normal. Usually, things settle down, but occasionally the moodiness decide to stay out late.
Impact on Your Life: Handling the Ups and Downs of Moodiness
Health Declining– Fluctuating Mood are detrimental to one’s health in addition to ruining one’s mood. Moodiness wreck havoc on your sleep and nutrition, which deteriorates your health.
Inequality in Partnerships– Fluctuating Mood are the gremlins of relationships. They can tip the scales, cause misunderstandings and disputes. Think about relationship counseling if your relationships are in limbo.
Ways to Tame the Mood Swing Dragon
Regulate Your Emotions– It’s like going to war with a bunch of unruly emotions. Positive self-talk is your superhero. If sadness hits, tell yourself, “It’s going to be okay.” If your environment isn’t emotion-friendly, change it. Sometimes, letting out a few tears in private can reset your emotional compass.
Postpone the Emotion– Can’t deal with emotions now? Postpone it, but don’t ghost your emotions entirely. Set a time in your schedule for an “emotional break.” A bit of planning can make emotions less overwhelming.
Distract Yourself– Sometimes, the best defense is a good distraction. Watch a movie, play a game, read a book – anything to take your mind off the emotional tempest. Just steer clear of activities that match your current emotion; watching a sad movie while feeling sad is like adding fuel to the fire.
Besides loading up on veggies, hitting the gym, and catching those Zs, managing moodiness is about understanding their triggers. It’s like detective work for your emotions.
Start a journal, note when mood instability kick in, and check if there’s a pattern. Did you have a sugar-filled day? Skimp on sleep? Is Aunt Flo visiting (for the ladies)? Awareness of these triggers is your ticket to a stress-free, swing-free zone.
Good luck on your journey towards de-stressing and wholesomeness!
