10 Ways to Improve Your Mood

Are you a Negative Nelly, always expecting the worst? Put a stop to the negativity by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Only you can control your thoughts, so make them happy ones. It will take some practice, but it will be so worth it.

Keep this in mind:

Studies show that optimistic people have better emotional health than pessimists, they also live longer. A positive attitude reduces stress, chronic pain, and can even reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

Are you getting older. Have you reached the big 40, or even the 50 or 60? Don't sweat it! Getting older isn't a big deal. Just think of all the wisdom you have gained with your years of experience.

Take care of yourself. Exercise, it releases feel good emotions. Eat right, it will give you energy. You know the drill, garbage in, garbage out.

Keep this in mind:

Older people tend to be as happy as younger people. While having to make accommodations for age, seniors often report having a serene satisfaction with life.

Surveys and an analysis of previous studies have shown that age is simply unrelated to levels of personal happiness.

So stop letting that number on your birthday cake get to you. You're only as old as you feel!

Do you remember how it feels to laugh until your out of breath? If you don't, then you need to add some laughter to your daily routine.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." Proverbs 17:22

Watch a funny sitcom. Get a DVD of your favorite stand up comedian, I love Tim Hawkins or Mark Lowry. Whatever it is that tickles your funny bone, do it. You will feel so much better after a good belly laugh.

Keep this in mind:

A group called the American Association for Therapy and Humor believes that one of the things too often missing from our days is a good laugh.

The message is being heard by an increasing number of business consultants, who find that a little laughter makes for a better employee.

Businesses across the country have Dress Like Elvis Days, clown squads that roam the halls sharing mirth, and silly contests like seeing who can throw a paper airplane the farthest.

Why?

Shaking us out of our routine increases creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction.

But whether at work or at home, the Therapy and Humor group says, "Happiness is a laughing matter."

Come on people, laugh a little!

Do you have hobbies? If you don't, maybe you should think about taking one up.

Hobbies can be very soothing and rewarding. If you're crafty, you might even be able to make some extra cash.

I personally enjoy scrap-booking. I once made a scrap book for my brother for his 40th birthday. The look on his face when he saw it was priceless. It wasn't just a gift to him. Seeing him enjoy and appreciate it was a gift to me.

Keep these in mind:

• Quilting
• Fishing
• Antiquing
• Horseback Riding
• Bird Watching
• Gardening
• Canning
• Scrap Booking

Do you have a space in your home that you can turn into a retreat? You don't need a whole room, even a corner would work.

Having a place to call your own, a space you can go to and just chill out after a long day or even just to read a book on a rainy day, can be the best therapy.

Create your own:

• Soft Lighting
• A Rocking Chair or Comfy Overstuffed Chair
• Flowers
• Plants
• Music
• Great Books
• Prayer Books
• A Blanket to Wrap Up In

Make it your own. Make it your "happy place."

Bad things happen, that's a part of life, but usually those events are temporary. It's true that time will heal most wounds. With time disappointment will pass and life will take a new direction. Just give yourself some time to heal.

In the meantime, keep your mind on the positive. Read good books, listen to uplifting music, watch funny movies, and pray. This too shall pass.

Keep this in mind:

Studies of thousands of Americans show that happy people are not immune to negative events. Instead, they are characterized by the ability to think about other things in the aftermath of negative events. --Bless, Clore, Schwarz, and Golisano

Smile at people. It makes them happy, and in turn you will feel happier.

Think about it. When was the last time someone smiled at you and you didn't smile back? I know, myself, I have a hard time not smiling when someone else is smiling. It's contagious, in a good way.

Smiling is the one thing you can do for others that doesn't cost you anything.

At the University of California in San Francisco, Scientists identified nineteen different kinds of smiles, each with the capacity to communicate a pleasant message that will more often than not be returned with a smile.

Keep this in mind:

In a study of adults of various ages, a tendency was found for subjects to mimic the expressions of those around them. In other words, sad faces evoked more sad faces, and smiling faces evoked smiles and happiness. --Lundqvist and Dimberg

Listening to music communicates to us on many different levels. Our favorite music tends to mentally take us to our happy place.

I listen to music while I write. It helps me to concentrate and keeps me in a positive frame of mind.

When professors played Mozart to their classes while they worked on a series of tests, the students performed better. Scientists have found that music stimulates our brains.

Some reports have suggested this only occurred in infants. But, the actual research suggests that music has a positive effect no matter the age.

Keep this in mind:

A positive effect on mood was found for 92 percent of individuals when they listened to the music of their choice. Excitement and happiness were typical reactions to the music. --Hakanen

Do you hold grudges? Holding onto anger only hurts you. Sometimes the person you're angry at doesn't know or care. Holding grudges is more than a bad habit: anger can seriously impair your health.

Forgiveness is divine; let it go!

Keep this in mind:

Anger can cause your stress levels to sky-rocket. According to research, forgiveness leads to less stress, lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk for depression.

Regardless of how much money they made or social standing, people who volunteer are generally happier than those who don't.

Donating time for a cause in your community is ideal.

Want to make a difference in just a few minutes? Simply become an organ donor or sign up for a charity event.

Keep this in mind:

Research shows volunteering can increase empathy, while in turn boosting your level of happiness. Donating your time will also cause you to appreciate all the good stuff in your own life.