While there’s a lot you can do to boost your mood, some things will get you down that you just can’t control.
After all, certain things in life happen whether you like it or not, and this can make you feel pretty terrible at times. Try not to stress too much over these things — you can’t change them, so you just have to learn how to roll with them.
1. The weather
Weather conditions can really impact our mood without us even realising it. Gloomy, rainy days might make us feel lethargic or melancholic, while sunny days can boost our energy and optimism. Some people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), where their mood dips during darker winter months. While we can’t control the weather, being aware of its impact can help us understand our mood fluctuations better.
2. Hormonal changes
Our bodies are constantly undergoing hormonal shifts that can affect our mood. For people who menstruate, the hormonal fluctuations throughout their cycle can lead to mood swings. Similarly, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can cause major mood changes. Even daily hormonal rhythms, like the rise and fall of cortisol levels, can impact how we feel throughout the day. Recognising these biological influences can help us be more patient with ourselves during mood shifts.
3. News and current events
The state of the world, as portrayed in the news and media, can have a profound effect on our mood. Constant exposure to negative news stories can lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness, or sadness. Even positive global events can sometimes create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) or inadequacy. While we can control our media consumption to some extent, we can’t control the events themselves or their impact on our psyche.
4. Other people’s moods
Humans are inherently empathetic creatures, and we often unconsciously absorb the emotions of those around us. This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, means that someone else’s bad mood can rub off on us, even if we’re not directly involved in their situation. Similarly, being around positive people can lift our spirits. While we can choose our company to some extent, we can’t always control the moods of those we interact with.
5. Traffic and commuting conditions
For many people, daily commutes can deeply impact mood. Unexpected traffic jams, delayed public transport, or inconsiderate fellow commuters can start the day on a frustrating note. Even if we leave early or plan alternate routes, there’s always an element of unpredictability in commuting. This lack of control over our journey can lead to feelings of stress and irritation that linger throughout the day.
6. Noise pollution
The ambient sounds in our environment can affect our mood more than we realise. Constant exposure to loud noises, like construction work, traffic, or noisy neighbours, can increase stress levels and irritability. Even low-level background noise can impact concentration and overall mood. While we can sometimes use noise-cancelling headphones or change our location, we often have limited control over the sounds in our environment.
7. Air quality
The air we breathe can have a surprising impact on our mood. Poor air quality, whether due to pollution, allergens, or even changes in air pressure, can lead to physical discomfort that affects our emotional state. High levels of air pollution have been linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety. While we can control our indoor air to some extent, outdoor air quality is largely beyond our control.
8. Circadian rhythm disruptions
Our bodies have an internal clock, or circadian rhythm, that regulates our sleep-wake cycle and influences our mood. Disruptions to this rhythm, such as jet lag, daylight saving time changes, or working night shifts, can lead to mood disturbances. Even the shorter days of winter can affect our circadian rhythm. While we can try to maintain consistent sleep schedules, many factors affecting our internal clock are beyond our control.
9. Genetic predispositions
Our genetic makeup plays a huge role in our susceptibility to certain mood disorders and our general emotional baseline. Some people may be genetically predisposed to conditions like depression or anxiety, while others might naturally tend towards optimism. While we can work on managing our mental health, we can’t change the genetic hand we’ve been dealt. Understanding our genetic predispositions can help us be more proactive about our mental well-being.
10. Nutritional deficiencies
The food we eat directly impacts our mood, but sometimes nutritional deficiencies can affect us without our awareness. For instance, low levels of vitamin D, B12, or omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to mood disorders. While we can control our diet to some extent, factors like food availability, absorption issues, or unknown allergies can lead to deficiencies that impact our mood without our realisation.
11. Technological glitches
In our increasingly digital world, technical issues can have a surprising impact on our mood. A crashed computer before an important deadline, a lost Wi-Fi connection during an important video call, or a phone that dies at an inopportune moment can all spike stress levels and frustration. While we can take precautions, technology is inherently unpredictable, and these mood-altering glitches are often beyond our control.
12. Childhood experiences
Our early life experiences shape our emotional responses and coping mechanisms in ways that can persist into adulthood. Traumatic events, parenting styles, or even societal conditions during our formative years can influence our mood regulation abilities. While we can work on healing and developing new coping strategies, we can’t change the past or how it has wired our brains. Recognising these influences can help us be more compassionate with ourselves.
13. Microbiome health
Recent research has revealed a strong connection between gut health and mood, often referred to as the gut-brain axis. The balance of bacteria in our digestive system can influence neurotransmitter production and overall mental health. While diet can impact our microbiome, factors like genetics, environmental exposures, and necessary medications can affect our gut health in ways we can’t always control, subsequently influencing our mood.
14. Lunar cycles
Source: Unsplash While the idea that the full moon affects human behaviour is often dismissed as myth, some studies suggest lunar cycles may indeed influence our mood and sleep patterns. The exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, but it’s possible that the moon’s gravitational pull affects our biological rhythms. If true, this would be an entirely external factor influencing our mood that we have no control over.
15. Collective energy in crowded spaces
The energy of a crowd can hugely impact our mood, often without us realising it. In busy public spaces, we can unconsciously pick up on the collective emotions around us. A tense atmosphere in a packed train or the excitement at a sports event can seep into our own emotional state. While we can choose to avoid certain spaces, we can’t always control the energy of the crowds we find ourselves in.
