Low mood
Most people have felt down or dejected some time in life, when nothing feels fun, or the fatigue hangs like a yoke over everyday life. Feeling low means, for example, being more sad than usual, to lose interest in activities one normally appreciates, or not looking forward to things that will happen.
Sometimes there are clear reasons for the low mood and sometimes there are no obvious reasons to it. Regardless of why you are feeling down, there are things you can do to start feeling better again. If you have several tangible symptoms of low mood during a longer period, it may be a case of depression.
What is low mood?
Low mood is something that anyone can suffer from, and it can be caused by many different things. It could be a reaction to something stressful that have happened, such as the ending of a relationship, or that the demands of the studies feel overwhelming. At times it is more difficult to diagnose why it happens.
The low mood usually goes away when you have recovered after a difficult period. However, if you have ended up in a negative spiral where reduced desire and less motivation make you do less of the things that feel important and rewarding in your life, the low mood may last longer. Then there is a risk the low mood leads to a depression.
Try doing this to improve your mood
If you are feeling down and low, the following tips could help improve your mood:
- Maintain routines in everyday life
Such as eating and sleeping regularly. It is a good way to take care of your needs and show self-care. - Physical activity may help the body and brain.
It can help you handle stress hormones in a way that boosts mental health. - Try to do the opposite of what the feelings say.
Do a little more of the things you usually enjoy, even if you do not feel like doing it. When you feel good you do many things almost automatically, because your motivation comes from within and leads you to activity. When you are feeling down you need to remind yourself of how you would behave if you were feeling well. - Avoid alcohol and other drugs.
These can negatively affect your sleep and mental well-being.
When to get professional help
If the low mood, or depression, does not go away or start affecting your ability to take care of yourself or cope with your studies, it is advised to seek professional help.
Contact your local health centre or seek help via 1177.se. If you are unsure where to turn to get help, you can contact the Student Health office for advice and guidance.
If you or someone you know has serious suicidal thoughts, it is important to immediately seek help at a psychiatric emergency clinic. If the situation is urgent and life-threatening, call 112.