20-year-old Anita suddenly found herself in a foul mood one evening. She hit her brother, snapped at her mum and stormed out of the house in a huff. However, just a few hours earlier, she had felt happy and cheerful, and had enjoyed the pleasant weather with a cup of tea. This sudden change in character is a classic case of mood swings. While there is no exact reason to state why a person has mood swings, it is believed that chemical reactions in the brain play an important role in determining a person’s mood.

A mood swing can be a consequence of lack of sleep, change in diet, medication and other lifestyle habits. For example: teenagers often have mood swings during puberty, issues regarding their self- image, bullying etc. Stress can trigger mood swings in adults too. They can be symptomatic of a number of medical and psychiatric conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. It can happen to anyone!

Therefore, adopting a lifestyle that will help you cope with mood swings is a must. Here is how you can do it:
1. Cultivating optimism can help you steer away from negative thoughts. This will help in looking at everyday life from a different perspective and thereby, give you the space to breathe and get going.

2. Take out 15 minutes from your busy schedule and incorporate exercise in your daily routine.

3. Drinking water is more important than gulping down cups of coffee. Water helps in organ function and can stimulate “Happy Hormones” in the brain.

4. Watching what you eat can also be a good lifestyle change. A healthy lifestyle should focus on eating food that is a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fat.

5. Ensure a proper sleep pattern. Lack of sleep can cause headaches and lead to an irritable mood.

6. It is always a good idea to talk it out with your friends and family if there is something bothering you from within. They are the best when it comes to giving you support and helping you come out of your bad mood.

Mood swings can have a significant impact on your health. Hence, if at any point in time you feel it is going beyond your control, it is advisable to seek the help of a mental health professional.

Reference:
www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/mood-swingss
www.indiatimes.com/health/healthyliving/an-unhealthy-lifestyle-is-the-cause-of-your-mood-swingss-here-s-how-to-fix-it-252167.html
seekspark.com/blog/lets-talk-about-stress/
www.howtolearn.com/2012/01/5-ways-to-maintain-a-healthy-lifestyle/
www.wikihow.com/Control-Mood-Swingss

PC: i.livescience.com

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