What do you do to improve your mood?

2016-01-27T09:37:34-05:00

I try to find things that make me smile. They say smiling makes you happy because we smile when we are happy. Kind of circular logic but it makes sense.
Smiling, sleep, gratitude, helping others and exercise are supposed to scientifically improve our mood.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jan 27 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-01-27T09:38:13-05:00

Watch Jessica Jones

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 27 at 2016 9:40 AM

2016-01-27T09:40:07-05:00

I smile a lot and try to live each day as if it's my last!

Response by Andre Behrens made Jan 27 at 2016 9:50 AM

2016-01-27T09:50:04-05:00

Last night, I was looking for a pick me up, so I went walking around my neighborhood with my camera app open, and looked for photos. It was relaxing, put me in a good mood, and placed me squarely in the present. It helps me see even familiar places in a new and interesting way, and I really pay attention to what is going on.

I also knew a guy who would always say "Smile until you feel happy." I took him for a sap, albeit a lovable one, but then I read there is actually science behind this.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 9:53 AM

2016-01-27T09:53:55-05:00

lol try to be abusive to other?? lol

I will just drink a beer, watch a good spiritual movie and sleep.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jan 27 at 2016 9:55 AM

2016-01-27T09:55:45-05:00

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jan 27 at 2016 10:02 AM

2016-01-27T10:02:07-05:00

A good practile joke. Not mean or cruel. The planning is almost as much fun as the joke. Saved styrafoam packing peanuts for 3 years. Had 4, 55 gallon garbage bags full. Waited till my friend went on vacation. We cut a hole in the top of his wall size tool locker and completely filled it up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 10:19 AM

2016-01-27T10:19:43-05:00

I think of just how blessed I am to have things that we often take for granted (shelter, food, family). It is very easy to get in a low spot in your life and never really get back out. It's ok once in a while to got there momentarily to make you appreciate what you DO have. No matter what the circumstances are in life, we all have something that we should be thankful for and that makes us smile! As I've gotten older, I realize that it's not sappy or soft to enjoy the simple things in life, it's being honest with yourself! Hooah!

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jan 27 at 2016 10:25 AM

2016-01-27T10:25:48-05:00

I know what I'd like to do to improve my happiness, but my wife isn't interested, anymore.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 10:36 AM

2016-01-27T10:36:52-05:00

I go to the gym, practice martial arts, read, or spend time with my son.

Response by LCpl Ash Carson made Jan 27 at 2016 10:43 AM

2016-01-27T10:43:52-05:00

I love a good laugh or two.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jan 27 at 2016 10:57 AM

2016-01-27T10:57:16-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member wake up at 0430 and begin my day taking care of my 14yr old Beagle. I get to the gym by 0530 to help rejuvenate me for the day. #Lift2Live

Focus on my thoughts the only thing I have control over.

Breath, Laugh and live life to it's fullest.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 27 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-01-27T11:14:12-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member. First I ask God for help. He is always a present help in time of need. I frequently ask God to "transform me by renewing of my mind" when I am dealing with troubling thought. When I am desperate I ask Him for the helmet of salvation to protect my mind.
My mood is largely a function of my mind. Since God designed me He knows how best to change my mood.
1. Music is a way anybody who can hear can use to change their mood. I enjoy blues, be-bop and bop jazz, rock, folk rock, southern rock and reggae at times. Each genre of music has range of tempos within and there are examples in each which can stir up passions and others which help us to be more introspective, etc.
2. Communicating with family and friends can improve mood
3. Artwork and photographs can improve mood.
4. Reading a good book can improve mood.
5. Playing with your children or grandchildren, hearing the sound of childlike joy can each improve mood.

Response by 1SG Richard Evans made Jan 27 at 2016 11:35 AM

2016-01-27T11:35:54-05:00

I like to listen to comedy. No matter how down I am, eventually something will make me laugh.

Response by Sgt Tom Vaughn made Jan 27 at 2016 11:36 AM

2016-01-27T11:36:08-05:00

I live in the greatest fly fishing area in the world , lol so I go spend time on the rivers of Montana

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Jan 27 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-01-27T11:49:09-05:00

I give you thumbs up, that improves my mood :)
Then I try to make sense of as much as I can about this life.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 27 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-01-27T12:20:25-05:00

Wake up in the morning and thank God for another day. Hold my wife, my children, or my grandchildren. Happy memories make me happy. Tell a story or hear a good one told by a master. Eat a really good meal. (Even a just okay one will make me happy if I'm really hungry) Look at the beauty in the world around me ( media and the Internet broadens my view). Focus on the kindness and good acts of humanity, especially in challenging times. Sharing. (Sharing always makes me happy) Smiling. (Smiling also makes me happy especially when it is echoed by another) Writing this and thinking about the countless things that make me happy makes me happy. There are so many more...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 12:24 PM

2016-01-27T12:24:03-05:00

I find that listening to my favorite music helps to ease the stress

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Jan 27 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-01-27T12:31:23-05:00

Pray, meditate on Scripture, listen to smooth jazz, have a thankful demeanor. Cherish my family and friends. Spend time with my son. Sometimes I need time alone to reflect. Other times I try to forget the stressors of the day. If we are not having fun we are not doing it right.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jan 27 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-01-27T13:13:07-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member So if it is first thing in the morning before I have my coffee, I usually take my porcelain coffee mug and I hit the person in the head that is putting me in a foul mood. I then go get a cup of coffee and by the time I return the person has regained conciseness and I not only feel better with caffeine in me , but I have adjusted that persons attitude for the rest of the day too.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jan 27 at 2016 1:41 PM

2016-01-27T13:41:02-05:00

Get outside with the pooch.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 27 at 2016 4:57 PM

2016-01-27T16:57:42-05:00

Open the paper to the obits; if I'm not listed it is a good day.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 27 at 2016 7:05 PM

2016-01-27T19:05:23-05:00

I pet my dog, hug my wife & daughter, and/or ride my Harley. Those things always seems to pick me up.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jan 27 at 2016 7:29 PM

2016-01-27T19:29:20-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I stay pretty postive no matter what all the time, so I never really had to bring myself out of a negative or depressed mood! Even when I have to take out another student loan for one of my three daughters and go deeper into debt I'm still pretty positive. I'm doing something to help my girls! I'm even smiling now when I'm typing this! LOL!

Response by SMSgt Michael Carl made Jan 28 at 2016 4:38 PM

2016-01-28T16:38:21-05:00

I try to be mindful each day. By that I mean to be grateful and aware of how much better off I am now than I used to be as well as how much I have in comparison to others. I choose to be positive and to look at each day as a blessing and an opportunity.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 12:38 PM

2016-01-30T12:38:37-05:00

just this last thursday, my wife (and dog) just KNEW I was feeling crappy. I had a LONG discussion with them. My therapy session was especially hard for me that day and I was lower than pond scum. Yes, I had a discussion with my dog. I may be crazy, but that dang dog of mine, I just don't know where I would be without him. I am lucky to have someone who knows me inside and out and to have a loving dog as well. I also pray. a LOT. I'm not trying to get religiousy here or preachy here, but God (higher power, whatever) is always there for me too. Unfortunately we don't have a full time pastor, but I know a few pastor friends who I talk to frequently when I'm down too. This area where I live is awesome. Everyone is so good to me/us here. It's quite amazing. Little town of Boonville, IN....really great area. Lot of people here already know me. (Could also be that it's only got 6k people, and I'm a social butterfly too.) I also love a good book. (or 2, or 3, or 5 or 20...) One may think I'm down a lot, and that may be, but I don't let PTSD KEEP me down. Plus, I'm trying to make friends on here too. So that's cool too...anyone want to accept me? I would appreciate all the help I could get.