What is low mood?
Life can be hard sometimes and feeling down is a normal response. You might lose interest in things you used to enjoy, find everyday tasks harder, or feel like things will not get better. Sometimes there is an obvious reason. Sometimes there is not. Both are normal.
A low mood usually passes after a few hours, days, or sometimes weeks. If it does not, or if it feels too intense to manage, that is when it is worth reaching out.
What it can feel like:
- Feeling sad or empty often
- Being more irritable than usual
- Avoiding friends or social situations
- Sleeping or eating more or less than usual
- Feeling tired all the time
- Feeling hopeless or like a burden
What can help
Contact our Therapy Service at therapyservice@atomix.ac.uk for a drop-in or to arrange weekly sessions.
- Do something you enjoy. Even a small amount of something you used to like can shift your mood. It does not have to be big.
- Be active. Even a short walk helps. Exercise is one of the most evidence-based ways to improve mood.
- Set small goals. Getting dressed. Going outside. Sending one message. Small wins build up.
- Listen to music. Start with slower tracks and work up to higher energy. Your mood can follow.
- Look after the basics. Sleep, food and hydration make more difference than you would think. Even one extra piece of fruit or one earlier bedtime can help.
For parents and carers: Young Minds guide to supporting your child with low mood.
Not everything needs a counsellor. Sometimes talking to your tutor is enough. Sometimes it is a friend, a family member, or an anonymous helpline. Whatever works for you.