Bad moments come in various forms, from the occasional bad mood to the afternoon slump that assails you every day. Probably, if you are the creative type, you may find yourself stuck on a project. Each of these negative phases can be remedied by tackling it with the right attitude, although all this involves a constant use of time and energy.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Get rid of the bad mood
Step 1. Learn to recognize your mental attitude
It represents a fundamental component of mood; this means that you can't always change external circumstances, but you can change your way of interpreting them. You will have to start by identifying your current state of mind.
For example, you may have had a job interview that didn't go through. You can tell if you are flooded with emotions such as sadness or anger, depending on how you feel
Step 2. Determine which frame of mind could help you
After identifying your state of mind, think about how you can improve it. To make your decision easier, try to understand what emotional state would help you move forward, instead of keeping yourself anchored to the situation you are experiencing.
- For example, if a job interview didn't go as you hoped, you might think about reacting by convincing yourself that it will be better next time by treasuring your mistakes.
- Although you cannot change your mood overnight, deciding in which state of mind it would be best to face a situation could give you the push in the right direction.
Step 3. Look on the bright side
When you are in a bad mood, you probably only dwell on what went wrong. However, being able to see the bright side of the situation positively affects your mood.
For this step, it is sufficient to consider the aspects of your life that you are grateful for or those that you may be grateful for, even in a situation that does not seem optimal to you. For example, if your job interview was not satisfactory, at least you have the qualifications and means required for certain job positions
Step 4. Give yourself a pep talk
Basically you have to tell yourself that you can do better and that you will succeed. It is as if a friend of yours were giving you a pep talk - but in this case you do it yourself.
For example, in the case of the job interview, you might say, “It didn't go as well as you hoped, but next time it will be much better. What's more, at least you haven't completely failed. You arrived on time and were professionally dressed. You also did great on the question regarding future goals!”
Step 5. Get out in the sunlight
This can naturally improve your mood, especially over time. If you work in a dark environment or are holed up indoors all day, try to spend some time outdoors.
If you can't get out, open the windows to let in natural light. If you live in an area where there is little sun during the winter months, you may want to get a lamp that can offer you the same benefits of sunlight
Step 6. Go for a walk
Physical activity improves mood in a natural way. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins into the bloodstream.
Even if you don't have time to dedicate to an hour of training every day, even incorporating physical exercise into your daily routine can help you. For example, if possible, use the stairs instead of the elevator, or when you go to the supermarket park your car a little further away
Step 7. Spend time with other people
Going out and hanging out with people you like can improve your mood. If you don't have many friends, try to join an association that promotes an activity that you are passionate about.
Try to get to know people through social networks that you may later meet in real life. You can also meet new friends on the occasion of the evenings organized in public places, such as the karaoke ones in the bar near your home
Step 8. Find a more inspiring environment
If you sit in the house alone and brood, maybe it's time to go out. Go to the park, enjoy the pleasure of a coffee at the bar, stop at the library or bookshop. Choose a place that makes you feel better and spend an hour or two picking up your mood.
Step 9. Listen to some cheerful music
Choose the one that always gives you energy. Put it in a playlist and make it boom in your room or throughout the house. Spending some time listening to music that makes you happy can cheer you up.
If you can't decide which music to listen to, many free music sites have playlists made by users for certain moods. For example, you may find a mailing list that energizes you and makes you more cheerful
Step 10. Search for what appeals to you the most
When you're in a bad mood, try to engage in something you're passionate about. Learning something new that stimulates your imagination and interest can help you improve your mood.
One of the best places to explore new ideas is local libraries. Go in search of books that cover topics you are passionate about
Method 2 of 4: Overcoming an Afternoon Collapse
Step 1. Don't give up on your lunch break
Of course, food will help support you during the afternoon. However, it is also important to take a break from work to reinvigorate concentration, allowing the afternoon hours to flow faster.
Step 2. Indulge in a snack
A snack can give you the energy to face the afternoon. Try to opt for a snack that is high in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain or fruit products. Adding protein can also help you recover your energy.
For example, you could combine wholemeal crackers with vegetables, or munch on an apple with a little peanut butter
Step 3. Avoid sugars
Simple sugars contained in foods such as carbonated drinks and fruit juices provide energy. However, in a short time you would find yourself even more tired, because simple sugars sharply raise blood sugar, straining the pancreas, which is forced to produce large quantities of insulin to cope with the excessive concentration of glucose in the blood. Therefore they do not provide your body with the energy you need.
Step 4. Try taking a nap
For example, if you can allow yourself a longer lunch break, take the opportunity to go by car and close your eyes for half an hour; this way you will feel less tired during the rest of the afternoon. Even a 5-minute nap, not moving from your workstation, can help if you can get away with it.
Step 5. Have a coffee
The best time to take caffeine is right before taking a nap. It takes about 30 minutes to reach its peak, so as soon as you wake up you will feel its effects. Even if you don't have time for a nap, coffee can give you a boost of energy for the afternoon.
Step 6. Make sure you are hydrated
When you are dehydrated, the entire body is affected. Make sure you take in enough fluids throughout the day, always keeping a bottle of water at hand to sip often.
Step 7. Practice physical activity
Although it is not always possible to take a break for an hour to devote to physical exercise, even a little movement can help restore your energy. Try to walk around the office or run up and down the stairs for a minute. If you can take a walk outdoors it's even better, since sunlight helps to accelerate reflections and make you mentally more lucid.
Method 3 of 4: Overcoming a Creative Block
Step 1. Let your creativity flow early in the morning
Try to work on your project or idea as soon as you wake up. Often, when your conscious mind is still asleep, you have mental projections similar to those you perceive in dreams: this can help you let your creative streak flow.
Step 2. Dedicate yourself to another part of the project
When you get stuck on a project, you often get stuck in a specific place. Perhaps you could temporarily leave out the beginning or another particularly difficult part. If you've been beating your head against the same problem for a while, focus on another point. This would give you a chance to find the solution for the part that is causing you problems.
Step 3. Give your brain some time to solve the problem
Sometimes, when you've been puzzling over the same problem for hours, it's time to take a break. If you can devote yourself to something else for a while, you give your brain the opportunity to tackle the issue more effectively, without wasting energy.
Try to exercise during your break. Movement helps your body and keeps your brain engaged, without overloading it, allowing it to process the problem, albeit behind the scenes
Step 4. Think about what might inspire you
You can't just be holed up in the house when you try to create. You have to recharge yourself with the things that intrigue you or that interest you. When you spend time away from your project, be sure to observe your surroundings.
Step 5. Use a creative exercise
Free-writing or free-drawing can help you get through the creative block - you just need to get a piece of paper and start writing whatever you can think of (for free drawing start scribbling). While these techniques work best for writers and artists, they are adaptable to all fields, meaning anyone can adopt them to let their creative flow flow.
One way to kickstart your creativity is to try your hand at another kind of creative activity. For example, if you are a writer, you could devote yourself to painting to free your artistic streak
Step 6. Go ahead
You can't finish a project if you leave it. Sometimes perseverance is more important than innate talent - keep working hard until you reach your goal.
Step 7. Speak out loud
Sometimes investigating the problem, even talking to yourself, can help you overcome your creative block. If you see fit, you can also record what you say, so that you have notes for the next step.
Method 4 of 4: Give Your Life a Boost
Step 1. Set goals
When you find yourself in a stalemate, it's time to ask yourself where you want to go. Give yourself time to think and write down the changes you want to make in your life. Maybe you are dissatisfied with your job or your health. Once you have identified your goal, you need to set goals to achieve it.
Step 2. Set concrete and highly defined goals
Regarding work goals, you need to be able to achieve them regularly. This means that they must be concretely achievable and divided into intermediate stages.
- For example, if you want to change your professional life, don't just say, "I want a new job." Instead, break down your project into small measurable steps, such as: "This week every night I will spend thirty minutes of my time searching the net for a new job."
- Don't forget to set a deadline, such as "I will have a new job by the end of next month", otherwise the goal would be too vague. However, be realistic: you cannot completely change your existence overnight.
Step 3. Change your lifestyle
Some goals cannot be achieved without changing the rest of your life as well. You don't necessarily have to make radical changes, but if your goal is to find another job, for example, you need to take the time to do some research. If you objectively don't have time in the evening, try to snatch 20 minutes in the morning, waking up earlier than everyone else.
Step 4. Try to meet your deadlines
Now you need to start working to accomplish your goals. Take your time each day to progress. Also, try to be rewarded when you complete the task you set yourself. You could go to the movies if you can finish what you started during the week.
Step 5. Get out and meet other people
Interpersonal relationships help you explore new ideas and possibilities. Furthermore, having a network of contacts is useful when you want to change jobs or start a new project, because it allows you to have other resources you can rely on. What's more, other people can help you rediscover new interests, drawing inspiration from their own lives.
