Research finds wearing comfy clothes on a bad day can make you feel worse

Apparently staying in your PJ’s and moping isn’t good for you. - by Laura Barry

If you’re having a bad day, feeling sick or a little down and out, one of the first things many of us do is reach for our comfiest clothes. If you plan to stay home all day, that might be daggy track pants and an oversized sleep shirt. However, a psychologist has found that dressing this way can actually make us feel worse.

In an interview with Huffington Post, Professor Alyssa Adomaitis – who holds a Ph.D in Social Psychology of Dress and Human Behaviour – said that there’s a reason you gravitate towards less professional or daggy, comfy clothes on an ‘off’ day: Role Theory.

Adomaitis says that Role Theory means you subconsciously dress for the position you want to portray, and if you’re not feeling great, you’ll pick clothes that portray this. Thus, track pants.

However, she also explains that we can improve our emotions and mood by strategically selecting our clothes on ‘off’ days. In fact, a 2015 study by the California State University-Northridge found that dressing more formally than you usually do can alter your way of thinking, such as thinking more ‘big picture’.

So, the next time you’re feeling low, wear a piece of clothing that always garners compliments from passers-by. Got an interview to go to? Wear a power suit to ensure you’re in the right mind space. Feeling unwell? Wears some simple yet smart-casual clothes that feel comfortable on your body for a mood boost.

Altering your diet can also help with mood swings and mental health. Watch the video below for more info.

Laura Barry

Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.