Context Is Everything
Many of us are traveling more often since the height of COVID. I recently returned from a long-overdue trip to Japan to visit my in-laws. While the trip was deeply nourishing, I noticed a significant dip in my mood upon returning home.
Even though I gave myself a few recovery days before heading back to work, I struggled with the effects of upside-down jetlag. My sleep, appetite, energy, and mood all took a hit. Thankfully, having experienced this before, I prepared by simplifying my schedule for the week.
This experience reminded me of how essential context is when interpreting our moods. So many factors—both external and internal—can influence how we feel, such as travel, illness, hormonal changes, work demands, family obligations, or even nutrition. The key is developing the skill to assess whether these influences are temporary and/or manageable.
In my case, understanding that jetlag was the likely cause of my low mood was comforting. Knowing it was a temporary biological adjustment helped me cope. I focused on eating well, minimizing social obligations, being patient with myself, and giving my body the time it needed to realign with its natural rhythm.
This is where meta-awareness—or stepping back to evaluate our moods—becomes critical. When we notice a dip in our mood, we can ask ourselves a few key questions to better understand the context and take appropriate steps:
Is there an external or internal factor that might be influencing my mood?
Has anything changed biologically for me this week?
Does this feel temporary or manageable?
What small actions can I take to soothe or anchor myself today?
Am I willing to ask for support from friends, family, or coworkers?
I always encourage my clients to expand their self-care toolkit, and a big part of that is getting curious about the context behind their feelings. Understanding some of the “whys” behind a mood shift can make a world of difference in how we respond and care for ourselves.