When the axis of Energy and Wellbeing are combined they give rise to four basic moods. As with any subjective state it is hard to find the correct word to describe each mood. The word chosen depends on context, a person’s understanding of mood and their personal experiences. For this map, I have chosen the words: Action, Calm Stress and Exhaustion, sometimes the words Anxiety instead of Stress and Depression instead of Exhaustion work better.
The four quadrants, regardless of their names, represent the following states:
Action: High Energy & Positive Wellbeing
Fit for anything and everything – nothing is impossible, you have the energy and the motivation to take on whatever the world throws at you and win regardless!
Calm: Low Energy & Positive Wellbeing
This is a positive state and all too often neglected especially in the get it done and get it done now world of the mid 21st Century. It is a time for reflection, learning and planning. Although it is fun to be high energy and positive, that state is tiring and eventually we all need to relax, calm down and spend time in a peaceful state, It is in this state that we learn, read, concentrate, listen quietly, meditate and simple ‘Be’
Stress: High Energy & Negative Wellbeing
Limited amounts of stress are not always bad, stress can provide the energy and the motivation to move to a better place. However when stress goes on for long periods of time without relief, lead to the long term release of cortisol hormone, which is a steroid hormone. Prolonged stress, just as prolonged steroid medication, has a damaging effect on the body, and can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Exhaustion: Low Energy & Negative Wellbeing
This is the most difficult quadrant to manage. Just as if stress goes on for too longIt becomes anxiety so exhaustion can move into depression, if exhaustion goes on unrelieved by sufficient rest and relaxation, so as to recover. Once one episode of severe depression has happened, the initial phases of exhaustion become less apparent and people more easily sink directly depression as the pathway directly into depression becomes established.
However as someone gains experience in managing their mental health, they gain skill in the ability to avoid their personal triggers for depression and learn to maintain their energy and well-being.
The first step in managing mood is to become aware of it, and this is where MoodMapping comes into its own. Being able to see where you are, where your mood is, where your emotions are and where your thoughts are. Then using different strategies and approaches you can begin to steer your mental health and wellbeing towards a healthier you.
For further information and to learn more about MoodMapping, you can buy the book MoodMapping by Dr Liz Miller, on Amazon
and watch the YouTube video