Act to the Contrary to Change a Bad Mood

It can grip you--a bad mood that seems to come from nowhere can wreck your day if you let it. The good news is you don’t have to let it. You can dodge a bad mood by simply shifting your actions.
Think about the way you stand, look, or speak when you’re in a bad mood. Chances are your shoulders are somewhat slumped, your jaws are dropped and your voice is low and/or harsh. These and other characteristics are distancing defenses within us that show up to help us hang onto our bad mood. And guess what—they work, at least as long as we continue to act the way we feel.

But have you ever noticed what happens to your mood when you smile when you feel like frowning or crying; or when you walk tall and surefooted when you feel like dragging your feet; or when you speak lovingly and patiently with someone when you feel like biting their heads off? Unless you’re bound and determined to still feel down in the dumps, your spirit will instantly be lifted when you act the opposite of negative feelings, and so will your mood.

Don' t take my word for it. Try it for yourself. The next time you'e tempted to act out your bad mood, act to the contrary instead. Do the opposite of what your bad mood tells you to. When you do, you'll be a lot happier with the results when your bad mood has passed.

Lovingly,
Cynthia