Dr. Attia's Approach to Mood Fluctuations

When Dr. Attia finds himself feeling down, he doesn’t simply brush it aside. Acknowledging your emotions is vital. Life has its ups and downs; there are moments when you feel energized, and there are others when everything feels a bit off. This is a natural part of life.

Rather than forcing himself through these tougher times, he chooses to accept them and ride them out, knowing that the discomfort will eventually fade and balance will return.

For instance, consider the creative process. There are days when ideas flow abundantly, almost like a tidal wave, enabling him to write several articles in a single day. Yet, this surge of creativity inevitably diminishes, leading to a period of sluggishness. During these less productive phases, he doesn’t struggle to create; it just becomes more challenging.

Rather than panicking, he understands that life is cyclical. If he finds himself in a rough patch, he knows it’s temporary, and brighter days are ahead. This insight has instilled a sense of confidence in him, as he no longer feels the need to judge his off days harshly.

In the past, he would mistakenly associate his negative feelings with his identity, believing that feeling bad made him a bad person. Now, he realizes that emotions are transient states that do not define him.

Life’s Cycles: The Surfer Analogy

Think of life as a wave. No matter how high the wave you catch, it will eventually crash. The silver lining is that another wave is always on the horizon, potentially even more significant than the last.

This metaphor illustrates that life isn’t a smooth ascent, but rather a series of peaks and troughs. You may experience many failures before achieving success, which is a normal part of the journey.

Dr. Attia’s Technique: Curiosity Over Judgment

Previously, Dr. Attia would either ignore his negative feelings or judge them harshly, neither of which was effective. Instead, he adopted a curious and non-judgmental approach. By examining his emotions, he could navigate through them.

Why does this work? Because he recognized when he was acting out of character. By acknowledging his feelings, he could identify the root of his discomfort and find solutions.

A Personal Example of Transformation

To illustrate this, consider a time when my mother would frequently irritate me. Even minor incidents could drive me to distraction, lingering in my mind for hours. Thankfully, I've learned to question my irritation when it arises, often realizing that what bothered me was trivial.

This simple but effective strategy mirrors Dr. Attia's approach. The key lies in engaging in a dialogue with yourself, almost like an investigator probing for answers. Ask yourself questions like:

• What am I afraid of?
• Am I worried about losing something?
• Is there a fear of humiliation?
• What is the root of this annoyance?

After a few probing questions, you might find that your source of irritation is insignificant, allowing you to move past it more easily. However, before you can overcome these feelings, you must identify their origin—your "why."

Understanding the underlying cause of your negative emotions is essential. Once you pinpoint where these feelings stem from, you can evaluate whether your fears are rational. More often than not, you will discover that there is something you can do to address the situation.

I hope you find these insights valuable.

Thank you for reading,

Godfrey

PS. Click here to access my free content creation starter pack.

How To Pull Yourself Out Of A Bad Mood - Dr Peter Attia - YouTube

In this insightful video, Dr. Peter Attia shares effective strategies to lift yourself out of a funk. He emphasizes the importance of accepting your feelings and exploring their causes.

How To Pull Yourself Out Of A Bad Mood - Tim Ferriss - YouTube

Tim Ferriss discusses practical techniques for overcoming negative moods. He encourages viewers to confront their feelings and engage in self-reflection to uncover solutions.