5 Ways to Snap Yourself Back into a Good Mood

We all have those moments. You know, where Captain Cranky Pants sneaks up behind us, and wedding sacks (Borat reference) us from behind, taking us from what was a great mood, to a mood of just plain blah or worse.

No matter the reason – whether it stemmed from something that someone else said or did, something we did, or even just our imagination running away with us – we HAVE the power to change how we feel. We can stop the train of thoughts that are blatantly causing us to feel worse and worse and flip them into an upward slope of feeling better and better.

Whether you are aware of it or not, our thoughts have a snowball effect. If we start thinking negative thoughts, it will only lead to more of the same – more negative thoughts. Unless we consciously choose to redirect what we are thinking about, we will just continue to cycle in those blah-icky-gloomy feelings.

The trick is first realizing what is happening. Awareness is a powerful powerful tool that many times we forget we have. We go on and on throughout our day, without realizing we actually have control over what we are thinking.

By stopping and becoming aware of what we are thinking, we are allowing ourselves to take that step outside of the picture long enough to observe what’s going on so that we can change it. You know the old saying, you can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. Well this is the prime example.

Here Are 5 Tricks That I Use to Put Myself in a Great Mood

1. I close my eyes, take a deep breathe, and think of 3 things in my life that I am grateful for.

I know this sounds cliché and silly, but the moment we shift our attention from something that we think is bad, to something we see as good, it automatically begins to shift our mood. When I think of these things that I am grateful for, I make sure to take time to see them in my mind, whether it is a person, place, or thing, I spend a few moments visualizing it until I notice the difference in how I feel. Try this and pay attention to your feelings, it’s almost like you can feel the shift in your chest as you move from the gloomy thoughts to the happy thoughts. The only way I can describe it is when I begin to focus on the things I am grateful for, I feel like I light up like a Christmas tree.

2. I ask myself, how does this serve me?

Sometimes I will even take #1 an step further and pull out a sheet of paper and start writing a list of reasons why whatever it is that was bringing me down, is actually a gift because it is allowing me an opportunity for growth or to learn some great lesson. Again, this trick is sooo under-rated because when we can see the good in any situation, and appreciate that it is helping us in some way to become stronger, smarter, or better equipped, then it no longer has the negative feelings attached to it. Every seemingly bad situation has the power to make our life better if we allow it, and that is the key.

3. I turn on a feel good song.

Good music is an amazing thing, so turn on a good song, and sing along, OUT LOUD, dance, move your feet… who cares who is looking, just do what feels good. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood after jamming out to your favorite feel good song. Don’t’ believe me? Try it. I dare you…

4. Get in a kick butt workout.

Yes, some days it’s tough to get inspired to get to the gym, but once you get moving, you feel pretty good, right? And then when you are finished, the endorphins are flowing, and you just feel great. The bad mood has completely vanished! Poof!

For faster results, combine #3 and #4.

5. Give to someone, unconditionally.

Whether it is with your time, your love, your attention, or your money, when you give open-heartedly to another human being it sparks something inside that turns on the happy switch. It really ties into #1 above, because when you give something to someone, with no strings attached, expecting nothing in return, you can’t help but feel gratitude for life itself and all the small things we so often take for granted.

Final Thoughts

Those are my go-to methods for busting a bad mood before it even starts. It’s really not rocket science, but these are the things that seem so simple, yet we just don’t do them. I challenge you to take a handful of these tips and make them part of your daily routine.

The more you take time for the simple feel-good pleasures in life, the more you will notice that life will automatically bring you more of the same. Happiness becomes.. EASY! And just a normal part of who you are. Can you believe it? What an amazing thought. That alone puts me in a good mood.

So, what are your favorite bad mood busters? Please share your tricks below in the comment section.