The Temporary Decline In Mood

Temporary drops in mood are manifested by signs also observed in cases of depression. The main signs are a drop in tone and physical fitness, an altered emotional life and disturbed intellectual functioning. Certain periods of life or times of the year are conducive to temporary drops in mood. Here is everything you need to know about the temporary decline in mood!

What are the causes of the temporary decline in mood?

–Seasonal changes

Seasonal changes drain our energy. When the weather gets colder at the beginning of autumn and in winter and the days get shorter, morale drops, fatigue becomes heavy and we become fragile…

Seasonal drops in mood are linked, in particular to sudden changes in exposure to light. Women are 3 to 4 times more affected than men. Light has a significant effect on the body (hormonal secretion of melatonin) and on the psyche. It acts as a mood regulator and as an awakener. So what happens when we run out of it? Melatonin levels will increase.

Melatonin produced by the pineal gland, located in the brain, promotes sleep. However, when it is present in too large a quantity, it induces a tendency to drowsiness during the day. This leads to a desynchronization of our rhythms between day and night. However, it is precisely the difference between waking and sleeping periods that is necessary to maintain morale. This is why we must maintain effective activity during the day and quality sleep during the night. Light is essential for this.

Other reasons can affect mood at this time of year:

• We generally consume less fresh produce, rich in vitamins. Furthermore, we tend to eat hot rather than cold. However, cooking destroys a large part of the energizing vitamins, such as vitamin C.
• Our bodies must cope with cold, wind, rain and thermal contrasts between the exterior and heated interiors.
• We go out less, so we don’t get enough oxygen.

–Mourning

In the weeks following the loss of a loved one, it is common to experience depressive symptoms. These are part of the normal grieving process. You can contact a health professional or any other person to talk about it and “ease” the pain of bereavement.

–Maternity

There are varying degrees of severity of mood damage for young mothers, ranging from “baby blues” to postpartum depression.

The “baby blues” is a moment of fleeting doubt, easily overcome, which is characterized by the feeling of being overwhelmed, of not understanding your baby’s requests. It appears in many women – almost 50% of those who have given birth – a few days after giving birth. The postpartum depressive episode is a real depression which meets all the criteria for the disease (duration, symptoms, consequences) and which begins in the month following childbirth.

In certain cases, listening to a health professional may be necessary to deal with temporary drops in morale. Following certain healthy lifestyle tips can also help you feel better during episodes of low morale, significant stress, annoyances, etc. On a daily basis, it is important to create a positive dynamic to avoid this situation. .

What consequences linked to the temporary drop in mood?

The main signs of temporary drops in mood are a drop in tone and physical fitness, an altered emotional life and disrupted intellectual functioning. The main repercussions of temporary drops in mood are problems with sleep, appetite, libido and other somatic disorders.

–Deterioration of sleep

In the event of a temporary drop in mood, sleep is often poor, less deep, very short and not very restorative. The early morning is often marked by an early awakening, with an inability to go back to sleep and great moral suffering. In other cases, sleep is in excess; we speak of “refuge sleep”, as if it corresponded to a need to escape. But this too much sleep is unsatisfying and rather mind-numbing.

–Alteration of appetite

The appetite is most often reduced. The food seems tasteless, the plate seems too full. Preparing meals becomes a chore, their schedules become irregular, their composition unbalanced. Weight loss is often a strong sign in establishing the diagnosis of depression. Conversely, we sometimes observe an increase in food intake, especially sugary foods, which can lead to weight gain.

–Libido disorders

Sexuality is a function that is both very biological and very relational. These two dimensions being very disturbed in depression, sex life is often affected. The woman’s sexual desire can disappear, its pleasure fade. The partner sometimes has the impression of being neglected, which accentuates the tension in the couple’s life.

–Other somatic disorders

Depression can be accompanied by pain: headaches, joint pain, digestive problems, etc., and disturbances in certain indicators or functions of the body: blood pressure, disruption or interruption of periods, etc.

Finally, listen to your body, watch your bad habits, take care of your meals, exercise, slow down the use of screens and above all, don’t dare to seek the advice of a professional if you are not feeling well!

For more mindfulness tips, click here.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of the causes of temporary decline in mood and found it useful. Comment down below what you think. Have you ever had it? Or share with us ways you know to overcome these mood swings and not let them interfere with our daily life!

Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive energy!!!