I've had several people ask me lately, "What's the best way to get out of a bad mood?"

Welllll, I could be a smartass and say, "Decide", but I'm pretty sure they were looking for more than that :o).

I have the surefire cure.

Do these three things:
1. Change your rhythm.
2. Count your blessings.
3. Help someone else.

Here's the fine print:
1. Change your rhythm. Typically, this means getting up off of the couch and cranking out 20 jumping jacks, walking your dog, or running up and down the stairs. Changing your rhythm releases brain chemicals that will naturally elevate your mood and kickstart your transition from crappy to happy.

2. Count your blessings. Gratitude reminds you that there ARE actually some good things happening in your life, in spite of your current funk. Since what you focus on gets bigger, focusing on the good stuff lets the positive outweigh the negative.

3. Help someone else. Joy It On! This does at least two very important things: It reminds you that, in the scheme of life and compared to everyone else's problems, your problems are pretty manageable. It also reminds you that YOU, bad mood and all, actually make a difference in the world by helping someone else. You matter.

Feelin' any perkier yet?!