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Writer's pictureKat Hammonds

In a Crappy Mood? Here’s a Long Game Perspective on Shifting Emotions




You're in a crappy mood—now what? It happens to the best of us, a testament to our shared human experience. While it's tempting to seek a quick fix, like indulging in comfort food, retail therapy, bing watching Netflix, caffeine, alcohol or mindless scrolling,  there’s a more sustainable approach to shifting out of a crappy mood quickly.


Shamanic and Ayurvedic wisdom can be profound allies in this journey, guiding us not just out of temporary slumps but towards a deeper understanding and mastery of our emotional selves.


Grooming Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is about recognizing that our current mood, no matter how dire it seems, is a fleeting state within the vast continuum of our emotional life. It's about understanding that the goal isn't just to escape this temporary discomfort but to cultivate a resilient and balanced emotional landscape that can weather the storms of life.


Shamanism, with its deep roots in the natural and spiritual worlds, offers tools for understanding and transforming our moods from the inside out:


  • Journeying: A shamanic journey allows us to dive deep into our subconscious, revealing the root causes of our emotional state. This insight can change our relationship with our moods, viewing them as messages or lessons rather than obstacles.

  • Soul Retrieval: Sometimes, our moods are symptoms of deeper disconnections within ourselves. Soul retrieval aims to heal these rifts, offering a path to wholeness and emotional equilibrium.

  • Nature Connection: Engaging with the natural world helps us transcend our immediate circumstances, reminding us of the larger cycles and rhythms of life. This perspective can shift our mood by grounding us in a sense of belonging and peace.


Ayurveda teaches us that emotional well-being is intertwined with our physical health and daily habits:


  • Dinacharya: Establishing daily routines centered around self-care practices like meditation and yoga can profoundly impact our emotional baseline, making it easier to navigate mood swings with grace.

  • Diet and Herbs: Incorporating sattvic foods and Ayurvedic herbs into our diet supports a calm, clear mind, laying a foundation for emotional stability. Herbs like Brahmi and Ashwagandha, in particular, can be allies in managing stress and enhancing mental clarity.

  • Abhyanga: This self-massage practice not only nurtures the body but also soothes the mind, directly impacting our emotional state by promoting relaxation and contentment.


Embracing the Long Game

When we're caught in the grip of a crappy mood, it's an opportunity to pause and reflect—not just on how to escape this temporary state, but on how we can nurture our emotional well-being over the long term. Integrating Shamanic and Ayurvedic practices into our lives doesn't just help us shift out of a bad mood today; it equips us with the skills and insights to navigate our emotional world with more ease, resilience, and depth moving forward.


This perspective invites us to view every mood, every emotional challenge, as a step on the journey towards emotional intelligence and mastery. It's a commitment to growth, to understanding ourselves more deeply, and to cultivating a life of balance and harmony. Through this lens, even the crappiest of moods can be a gateway to transformation and healing.


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