We all get affected by bad moods from time to time. When we are in a bad mood, mindfulness can help us find some flexibility and choice, so we don’t have to feel completely at the mercy of our bad mood.
How do we do it?
Mindfulness is just noticing our experience. We can observe this bad mood and ask, “What is this?”
Sometimes we know why we have a bad mood, sometimes we don’t. Either way, we can still notice it.
Can we create some space for the experience? That way we won’t feel as cramped. We can create space simply by observing.
Notice what the “bad mood” actually FEELS like. Is there tightness or discomfort? If so, where? How is our breathing? Does it feel shallow or constricted? Just notice how it feels.
We’re just itting with these experiences, not trying to change it or get rid of it. It can be hard to do, when these feelings are unpleasant. But if we can maintain an observatorial stance and just sit with them and notice them, we expand the space for the process to unfold.
Notice any thoughts associated with these feelings, and gently let them go. When we can, when we remember, come back to our breath. Perhaps breathing into this space that we have created for the experience, with compassion.
Within this enlarged space, we can try to move forward with our day, and the task in front of us.
Mindfulness FAQ 