Low Mood

What is low mood?

We all feel low or fed up from time to time. It’s normal. It is typically a response to a distressing life event or life change. However, it can happen for no obvious reason at all. Feeling down usually lasts a couple of days or weeks, and then our mood returns to normal. There can be a variety of reasons for having low mood, these can include.

• Tiredness
• Lack of confidence or not feeling good enough
• Being angry or upset, for example after having an argument with someone
• Experiencing hormonal changes
• Being worried, for example becoming a new parent

When we feel low it affects how we think and what we do. We might find ourselves thinking more negatively about life or even about ourselves. It can impact on our energy levels, quality of sleep and even our eating habits. When we are experiencing low mood everyday tasks, like going out, can seem more difficult.

Self-help advice

If you have noticed a change in your mood and are struggling to cope with everyday life, there are things you can do to help you feel better.

• It’s sometimes helpful to challenge your thinking. Try to understand why you are feeling low and challenge those feelings. Find out more about low mood, how you can challenge the way you think and/or how to manage your feelings. See our self-help resources below.
• Samaritans have produced a resource called ‘Finding Your Way’ which provides advice if you are feeling low. See our self-help resources below.
• Learn new skills to help you manage low mood. See our self-help courses below.
• There are simple things we can all do to help look after our mental health and our moods. For example, make time for yourself, relax and do things you enjoy. Eat healthily, get plenty of sleep and be active. Visit our ‘looking after yourself’ section for more information and advice.
• You may find it helpful to get involved in activities going on in your local area. Find out what’s going on in your area by visiting our ‘in your area’ page.
• You don’t need to experiences these feelings alone. Talk to someone you trust or see our ‘helplines’ section below.
• If you or someone you know need urgent help – go to our ‘urgent help’ page immediately.

If you need further help with low mood

If the information, advice, resources and courses on this page have not been helpful and/or you think you need more help, there are many free support services available.

If you live in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, and are aged over 18, you can make an appointment with a Psychological Health Practitioner (PHP) or GP by contacting your local GP surgery. PHPs are NHS mental health practitioners who provide a free service for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.

If you are under 18 or worried about someone aged under 18 and need urgent advice/self-referral to local mental health and wellbeing services in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, contact SPACE-Wellbeing.

Or alternatively contact another approved helpline. Some services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.