Bad mood, down in the dumps, or grumpy pants.  Take your pick, we’ve all experienced those days when we feel crabby, cranky, or just a bit miffed at the world.

It doesn’t matter what sets you off.  You know when your rose colored glasses have fogged up and turned a misty color gray.  You harrumph around, challenging anyone in your path to just try and make you smile, because you know their efforts are a big waste of time and your inner grouch sulks more.

As much as I relish being petulant and wallowing in a bad mood (there’s a bit of power there fueled by the negativity). I also know staying too long in the land of Oscar the Grouch can do some serious damage to my relationships, my self esteem, and my outlook.

I’ve discovered 5 way to bust a bad mood and return to the land of sunshine and light, or at least the place where a few rays can break through the gloom and light the path out.

1.       Focus on love.

Bring to mind the person that makes your heart sing.  Remember a time you spent together and focus on how you felt in that moment.  Let all the warmth, love, gratitude, and joy fill you up.  When you focus on how you feel with this person, you shift your mood because love and grumpiness can’t co-exist.

2.       Take 5 and get your gratitude on.

For 5 minutes focus on everything that is going right in your life and truly appreciate every little thing.  Say, “I am grateful for X because Y.” I’m so grateful for my friend Marnie because when we’re together time falls away as we laugh our bums off.  It’s hard to be cantankerous when you’re counting your blessings.

3.       Shake your groove thing.

Move your glorious body.  You need to get rid of the bad-tempered juju coursing through your veins.  When you move, energy moves through your body. A bad mood is usually centered in your heart or your head, move that energy it out to your feet and finger tips, so it can make the leap out to the air, taking a long trip away from you.  Dance, go for a walk, do yoga, ride your bike, or bounce on a trampoline.  Shake that crankiness right out!

4.       Laugh.  From your belly is awesome, but a chuckle is a start.

When your laughing, there’s no room for being surly.  It’s. Just. Not. Possible.  Grab your favorite comedy or call the friend who always leaves your sides in stitches.  Laughter heals on so many levels that a bad mood doesn’t stand a chance.

5.       Grab some furry, fuzzy love.

Your pet loves you unconditionally and would do anything to let you know you’re incredible, marvelous, and wondrous.  Snuggling your furry one lowers your blood pressure and induces a relaxed state.  Plus, nothing beats looking into those soulful eyes and feeling the adoration beaming out.  No pet? Borrow a friend’s, volunteer at the nearest shelter, or look for a kitty cafe.

I feel better and elevated just writing about these 5 ways to bust a bad mood.  Choose just one and kick your crabby, sulking, snappy, cranky, sullen, tetchy, grouchy, cantankerous mood out the door.

Goodbye Ms. Grumpy Pants…you’re not welcome anymore.