I am a ray of sunshine bursting with positivity, kindness, and compassion…sometimes. And sometimes I’m a little crabby. Sometimes I’m downright moody, bitchy, and bursting with poorly veiled contempt for all of mankind. I must say, though, I think one of my best qualities is that I’m pretty easygoing and generally cheerful. So what do I do when I’m feeling less than cheerful? If I’m not too far gone to turn things around, I try to do something to snap out of it. There’s no excuse to walk around in a bad mood all day. Thought I’d share some of my favorite mood boosters here today…

Some people shift in and out of moods more easily than others. My husband and I are good examples of this. When we fight, for example, he bounces back in very little time to his regular mood. It takes me a little longer. I may have been known to wallow, sulk, give a cold shoulder. Which really isn’t a good idea: first of all because it’s unfair to him, unfair to my children, and sucks for me; second of all, because it usually leads to a second fight. This time the fight is about how I can’t let things go. I’d like to think I’ve learned my lesson: either finish out the fight to a satisfactory resolution and move on or fake a sunny disposition when it’s over. Either way, there comes a time I need to shake it off.

My daughter is like my husband. We could have a huge fight (rarely, of course, because she’s an angel and I’m a very patient mother) and she’d walk in the room two minutes later asking me which shirt I like better. Or what’s for dinner. Or telling me something funny that happened at school…Like nothing freaking happened. It blows my mind every time. Here I am mulling over where I went wrong as a mother, how much therapy she’ll need when she’s older, and how much better off she’d be with Aunt Julie for a mom. Then she waltzes in all easy-breezy…very annoying.

Anyway, I guess the point of those two examples is that some of us (cough, cough, me) need mood shifters more than others. If you’re one of those people, some of these ideas might come in handy…

Mood Boosters

1. Music. Put on some music that makes you happy. Not just “music you like,” but “music that makes you happy.” Music can undoubtedly affect your mood. Play it loud if you can, turn off your brain if you can, and let the music do the mood shifting for you.
2. Exercise. Even if you’re not an exercise person, give this one a try. Go for a walk, do some stretches. Whatever. Blow off some steam and let all the good endorphin kinda stuff happen. A proven mood booster.
3. Breathe. Take deep, slow breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Close your eyes. Breathe in for a certain number of counts and out for a certain number of counts. Nice and slow. Even if you’re really freaking cranky this helps. Like it or not.
4. Meditate. Take two minutes and go to calm.com or use a free app or search for a short meditation on YouTube. You can also check out the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center for some free guided meditations. Or just breathe in and out with your eyes closed for a few minutes and repeat something in your mind to help keep the angry thoughts out. Something like, “I am calm and happy.” Or maybe, “I do not want to go to jail for committing violent acts.”
5. Gratitude. Oh my gosh, would I shut up about gratitude already? No. I can’t. Cuz it really works. Start thinking of things you’re grateful for to turn the situation around. It’s hard not to smile when you think of some things. “I am grateful for tucking in Danny,” makes me picture him and it’s hard not to smile when I think of him. If you don’t have your own personal Danny think of someone you love, or a much-loved pet, or a really happy memory that brings a smile to your face.
6. Smell something. Something good. Fresh flowers would be nice if you have those floating around. Or essential oils work, too. A friend of mine gave me a small essential oil roll-on meant to help reduce stress and anxiety. I’m not sure how it works, but it’s a nice little act of self-care, it’s calming, and it smells good. Lavender is a good choice, as well as citrus scents. This one on Amazon is similar to the one I have.
7. Text or call someone. Reaching out to someone who might cheer you up or make you laugh is a good strategy. It refocuses your attention and just connecting with someone else can help diffuse the negativity. Connection is so important, but despite all the technological ease of it these days, it’s easy to feel isolated sometimes.
8. Get out. If you’re home, run an errand, go for a walk. If you’re at work take a break if you can. A change of scene usually can’t hurt. Unless this backfires and you run into annoying people everywhere you go…then go back to #1 and try again.
9. Amuse yourself. Watch a funny clip on YouTube that always makes you laugh, look at a funny picture on your phone, read a funny text someone sent you.
10. Read (or listen to) something uplifting. Read something that will help turn your mood around- something inspiring, something that makes you feel energized. I’m a big fan of personal development books (check out my favorites here) in general and reading a snippet of one that you like can help get you back on track. Podcasts and audiobooks are great for this too.

A lot of these ideas are great to teach kids, too. I remember when my nephew was little we had a “happy song.” Whenever he was feeling sad or mad I’d try to cheer him up and then regardless of how successful I was we’d put on his happy song. (In retrospect my song choice was not the most appropriate one, but, hey, I was young.) Teaching your kids these strategies now will make them more likely to use them in the future.

So what do you do when you’re cranky, sad, angry, just blah? I’d love to hear from you! I’d also love to hear what music makes you happy since that’s kinda my favorite one…

 

 

 

 

 

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