life & style // no. 12

How to manage moods

> The art of being human

Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

F2 more than humans would like to admit, we are creatures of our moods. The reality is that being human means experiencing an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of emotions—but what matters is how we deal with them. Take a look at an oyster for example. An oyster creates a pearl out of a grain of sand. The grain of sand is a source of annoyance for the oyster, however in response to the irritation, the oyster creates a smooth protective coating that encases the sand and supplies relief. The result is something beautiful: a pearl. Our reactions to poor situations can transform them.

So, just how does one go about “managing their moods?”

First, it is very important to have acceptance and self-compassion—some days are easier than others, some days are harder. Some days we are able to tolerate and forgive our past errors and see the future as tender and kind; other days we see ourselves as targets for contempt and lament everything, feeling guilty, useless, or shameful. It’s difficult to predict or control where our moods will end up, and it’s entirely possible to visit a whole spectrum of moods in the course of one day. In order to deal with all of that, here isa list of necessities in controlling our emotions:

Realize our vulnerability

It is important to acknowledge that our moods are susceptible to being disturbed by even the smallest of things—we are a

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fatefully sensitive species. Something as simple as a beautifully composed piece of music or a video of a cute dog can bring us to tears. However, we must not belittle or punish ourselves for how thin our skin is. Rather, we should adjust ourselves to what it means to be as open and tender as we are. By embracing our nature, we stop fighting ourselves over what we are not—removing half of the obstacles in our way.

Edit our social lives

We must bea friend to ourselves first and foremost. This means learning to take

an honest look at our social groups and

Illustration by Athena Little

cutting out dispiriting impostors. People may call themselves our friends but if they are actually hostile, competitive, self-absorbed, or self-righteous, they are damaging. They dampen our moods and our success, and sooner or later, these people’s destruction becomes obvious—so it’s better to distance as quickly as possible.

Find good company

It is essential that we surround ourselves with good company. Search out people who know how to comfort others during their natural sadness. These people understand that human compassion is greater than

Natural lotion alternatives

» Moisturizing tips and tricks

Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

Rev out of lotion? Does your skin eed some moisture? Stuck inside because of a pandemic? Low on cash too? You need to get your life back on track! But it’s okay, for now the Other Press has got you covered... there are lots of natural lotion alternatives out there that won't break the bank, and chances are you've already got these alternatives hanging out around the house!

Coconut Oil

A well-known, cheap, and popular alternative, coconut oil contains antioxidants and vitamin E—helping the skin stay moisturized. It is also absorbed quickly for many, busting the myth

that skin is left sticky after application. Of course, each type of skin reacts differently—so apply with care. But, for many, coconut oil is a lifesaver. It also contains fatty acids and can be good for reducing the signs of aging, stretch marks, and scars. It also can help with sunburns, and provide mild sun protection!

Shea Butter Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the shea tree (also known as the karite tree)

and is well-known for cell regeneration and other medicinal uses. While a little pricier, this luxurious alternative is rich with vitamins and melts instantly. It leaves skin feeling smooth, nourished, and non-greasy.

Aloe Vera Gel

Who doesn’t have an aloe plant hanging around the home? They're super easy to find and serve as a replenishing source

of moisture for the skin. Aloe also helps with sunburns, healing blemishes, and healing acne scars. It also acts as an anti- inflammatory against irritated skin. Just cut off the tip of an aloe plant and squeeze that fresh, cool gel onto your skin. It'll can even help with completion by brightening the skin—goodbye small acne scars and dark spots!

Natural Beeswax Lotion Recipe

And for those of you who want to get crafty, or happen to have more ingredients and time on your hands, here’s a natural lotion recipe sourced from the Soap Queen!

Ingredients:

* 6 cavity silicone mold

* 3.5 02 olive oil

* 3.5 oz shea butter

* 2.5 0z yellow beeswax

* 3mL pure honey fragrance oil * droppers

Method:

Combine the olive oil and yellow beeswax ina small, heat-safe jar. Heat using 30 to 60 second bursts in the microwave. Do so until completely melted. Beeswax has a high melting point which can take some time to melt completely. Do not use a glass container with too much head space as the container will burst if it overheats! Extract the very hot item carefully from the microwave.

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human error. They have experienced suffering and have fought with self- hatred—but have come out on the other side laughing at the ridiculousness of being human. Good company can be trusted to show us grace when we present them with our shallow moods. Look for friends who will accept your honest flaws and exhibit some of their own.

Listen to the body

As straight forward as it might sound, sometimes our moods are directly linked to our physical health. All those physicians and specialists telling you to look out

for yourself and your health? Turns out that they were right. A lot of the time,

the reason behind our shifting moods is because we have bodies and we need to look after them. How long did you sleep last night? Have you had enough water? Are you fighting off a cold? Instead of coming to the conclusion that we are terrible, perhaps many just need to stop, lie down for a little while, or have a glass of water.

This too shall pass

Our emotions will often seek to convince us that they are faultless and permanent, but in fact, they are not. Human moods are quite viscous and also bound to rise and fall. More than half of the human body is made of up water, and so are our moods

it seems. At times we may be unable to shift a feeling, but we mustn't let fleeting emotions add to our misery—take into account that in a few hours or days, this too shall pass.

Add in the shea butter and whisk. If the mixture does not go clear just from mixing, heat with 15 to 20 second bursts until it does so. Incorporate the pure honey fragrance oil and blend together until fully mixed in. Pour the solution carefully into every cavity of the mold. Allow to cool down and harden fully. This will take a couple of hours or possibly even overnight. Remove the mold. Store the end result in a cool spot, as they can melt if in high temperatures or direct sunlight!