YOU CAN SMILE AGAIN

According to the experts, moods are emotions that have the tendency to become fixed. And that influence one's outlook for hours, days, weeks or even months in certain cases. If your mood is a pleasant one, it is great, but becomes a problem if you're angry, anxious, sad or simply lethargic. Perhaps the best way to deal with such moods is to talk them out, but sometimes though, there is just no one to listen.

So next time you feel moody again, don't head for the doctor or pharmacy, try one or more of these remedies.

Think positive.People are often depressed when their thought patterns are negative and distorted. Often, negative moods are caused by harsh, unrealistic ways of thinking. Think positive thoughts, and you're actually more likely to feel happy! Try to take an interest in somebody else. Not only will you delight that person, you will also lift yourself out of your own self-destructive mood.

Dream.Sleep can lift a bad mood by relieving exhaustion and allows us to benefit from one of the oldest forms of mental therapy: dreaming. Dreams serve an important mood regulatory function by helping us assimilate stressful events.

Lighten up.Many people suffer from a type of winter doldrums, called Seasonal Affective Disorder. People suffering from SAD may benefit from spending more time outdoors during the winter months. Installing a full spectrum fluorescent light, found in plant and pet shops, may also help. The key is to surround yourself with more light.

Eat right.Scientists have long time ago reported a direct link between food and mood. Carbohydrates eaten on its own are a sort of comfort food with a tranquilizing effect because carbohydrates stimulate the brain's production of serotonin, responsible for making you feel calm and relaxed. Protein again tends to sustain alertness and energy. Caffeine can also be a "culprit" in mood altering, as it may increase depression, irritability and anxiety.

Listen to music. You can alter your mood by listening to music. There is something called Iso-moodic Principle, which is a way to change your mood through listening to music. First, you match music to your existing mood, and then you gradually change the music to reflect the mood you want to get into. For instance, if you are feeling sad, you can start by listening to a song you consider sad. Listen to four or five selections going from sad to happy, gradually moving towards your desired mood.

Use color. Color is a nutrient for the mind and soul, just as vitamins for the body. If you want to move away from a frustrated and irritable mood, stay away from red. If you feel down and depressed, wear and surround yourself with bright colors that will lighten your mood and lift your spirits. To get relief from tension and anxiety, choose neutral colors that have a calming and soothing effect. Hospitals use soft shades of blue or green to calm patients.

Exercise.Aerobic exercise seems to be the most effective cure for a bad mood of all the mood-altering self-help techniques. Exercise causes biochemical and various other changes in the body that makes it more favorable compared to drugs as a mood-raiser. Physical work such as housework is not the solution though. The secret is aerobic exercise like swimming, walking, cycling and running. Any sustained and repetitive activities that boost the heart rate and increase blood circulation to improve the body's oxygen utilization. The ideal is a twenty-minute session, three to five times a week.