We’ve all had those days where our patience is worn thin, and we can’t seem to shake off the lingering feeling of grumpiness. No matter what the cause is, don’t fret, it happens to everyone. Stress can make us feel like a mess, and it can also raise our blood sugar levels. Try these 5 steps to help lift your mood, lighten your load, and keep your blood sugar in the safe zone:

Honor your feelings

There is a reason you’re feeling down, and trying to mask it or push it aside may only create more problems later. Allow yourself to feel however it is that you are feeling without judgement. We experience a wide range of emotions on a daily basis as a part of being human. Sit with your feelings and accept them. Trust that it is completely normal to feel however it is that you are feeling, and take a few moments to just observe those feelings.

Practice gratitude

Counting your blessings is one of the quickest ways to turn a frown upside down. We all get so busy and often times forget just how we lucky we are to be alive and breathing. There is indeed much to be thankful for. Take a minute or two and try to list 5 to 10 things that your are grateful for, and watch as your spirit starts to lift.

Slow down

Taking long, slow, deep breaths helps us to feel more grounded. Other ways to take care of yourself might be: a cup of soothing tea, a nap, a warm bath, splurge for a massage, watch a funny TV show, or curl up with a good book. No matter what you decide to do, the point is to practice some good self-care when you need it the most.

Let it out

Diffuse the situation by calling a friend or journaling. Let it all out. Complain or cry or just vent, whatever feels right. Try to limit yourself to 3 or 4 minutes. This gives you just enough time to let it out, but not enough time to get sucked further into the chasm of your mood. You want to give yourself  time to let the negativity drain out without dwelling on it.

Move that body

Exercise produces the natural mood lifters known as endorphins. Go for a walk outside, dance around your house, do jumping jacks, or go for a run. It doesn’t matter what you decide to do, just do it and see what a difference it makes in your mood.