Mood swings are sudden changes in how you feel at a particular time. Sometimes, you are aware why you have Mood swings and, other times you can’t tell. Pria Warrick, President- Pria Warrick Finishing Academy and a Clinical Psychologist, Cornell University, U.S.A shares some inputs with us:
What starts as a great day can quickly spiral into a bad one. Oh heavens! What went wrong? Perhaps it was a fleeting moment—a friend’s stunning photo on social media, an unacknowledged greeting, or an offhand comment that struck a nerve. These seemingly trivial events reveal our vulnerability and dependency on external validation, manifesting in thoughts like:
- Will I be invited to that wedding?
- Why does my friend look so radiant and I don’t?
- Why is my career not thriving like theirs?
- I only received five likes, while they got seventy!
Pria Warrick, states that these thoughts can trigger anxiety, overthinking, jealousy, stress, and even depression. Research indicates that adults spend an average of 3-4 hours daily on social media, with 70% of the population engaged in these platforms, while sadly Political voting turnout hovers around 45%.
Imagine scrolling through your Instagram feed and seeing a friend’s tropical getaway to Goa, while you’re stuck in the winter chill of Delhi. It’s easy to feel envious, forgetting that behind those sapphire blue waters lies her own set of struggles- managing home life, children, a sick father-in-law, and her business. We often compare our worst moments to others’ highlights, says Pria Warrick during one of her lectures.
She feels, to combat this cycle, we need to edit our social lives. Our moods can be disproportionately affected by the competitiveness inherent in our social circles. In today’s self-centred society, where appearances reign supreme—what we wear, drive, and eat—mood swings become common. Pria Warrick states, this fixation breeds self-criticism, low self-worth, and pervasive self-doubt. Social media sets unrealistic expectations for how we should look and behave, leading to what Pria Warrick calls it “Drained-out happiness syndrome.”
“Pria Warrick”- Clinical Psychologist (while counselling along with her team of Experts)– notes that our emotional states are often tied to status symbols. Brands, relationships, and even small gestures like non-greetings of others or non-offering of water to us can sway our moods. Many remain trapped in their comfort zones, unable to accept people or situations outside their comfort zone.
The Self can feel weak when we rely on external factors for happiness, making our moods highly dependent on outside influences. This is where the Art of Gratitude becomes essential. Pria Warrick insists that by incorporating gratitude into your thoughts, you can strengthen your Self. When contentment and gratefulness enter your life, you’ll find that minor irritations no longer affect your mood as much. Of course, practicing pranayam and meditation daily can help eliminate mood swings altogether.
Pria Warrick emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mindset that embraces realism and acceptance. Ultimately, it is not others who suffer from our insecurities but ourselves. So, let’s take a deep breath and chill- life is too short to be dictated by social media’s whims.
In conclusion, Pria Warrick in her lectures states, while social media can enhance connections and provide joy in moderation, its potential for negativity looms large when we allow it to dictate our self-worth and happiness. By fostering gratitude and mindfulness, we can reclaim control over our emotional landscapes in an increasingly digital world.
