Readers share their favourite mood boosters

I’m nosy by nature. I’ll be honest — I like to poke into other people’s lives and pick up bits of news about what’s going on at work or on the schoolyard. (Frankly if I wasn’t curious, I don’t think I’d be any good at my job.) And since I’ve been writing plenty lately about what science tells us about happiness — how ethical people can be happier, or why happier people live longer — I wanted to switch gears for a bit. I started wondering: day-to-day what people do to pull themselves out of a bad mood? What to do when you’re blue?

So I put the question out there on Twitter and Facebook, and here’s what some of you shared with me about your mood-boosting rituals.

“My two kids and I have a ritual where if any of us are in a funk, we turn on some sweet tunes and dance!” — Stacey Campbell-Coady

“Hot Yoga. It’s where I go to regain my sanity after a crazy day or week. It’s a great way to get activity in and it’s a class that I really look forward to going to. I try to do it four times a week.” — Michelle Murphy

“I power walk with a great group of strong gals. And sometimes we crank the tunes. Nothing like Fatboy Slim’s "Because We Can!" — Karin Smith

“I bake while belting out Duran Duran tunes or watch the movie Parenthood.” — Jennifer Tilby Alexander

“Go for a run.” — Melanie Dulos

“I carry my camera with me and take photos. If I am on a mission, I look for the beauty in things and it helps shift my mood to a more positive one. Some of my most beautiful photos have been taken during dark and cranky times.” — Alyson Bethley

“I like to put on some vacation CDs and do a painting or sketch a portrait. It’s very relaxing!” — Tammy Daoust

“I blast music, sing at the top of my lungs, go for a run in the trails...all at the same time.” — Deanne Gage Mitchell

“I power walk. Sometimes I walk downtown, sometimes I head to the beach. Walking releases a lot of stress that can build up and it lets me not only reduce the stress but more importantly, connect with the outside world.” — Nancea Whitham

“Sometimes just doing something fun helps get me out of a funk. Last week for example I went to a friend’s birthday party at Dave & Busters, and I laughed and laughed and laughed. I felt like a kid! It was a great break and much needed just to be free and be goofy.” — Jennifer McCloskey

“Run. Bake. Tickle.” — Jennifer Pinarski

What do you do to turn your mood around?

Want more happiness news? Follow me on Twitter @AstridVanDenB