Bad Mood Blues Busted

I have a confession: I was in a bad mood for about 3 straight weeks.

It could have been any number of things:
-The stress of traveling
-The HORRIFIC cold weather
-The money BLEEDING from our account this month (I thought December was the expensive month)
-School closings or delays due to this HORRIFIC cold weather
-Hormones (God had to remind us once a month that Eve ate that fruit)
-Did I mention being stuck inside with two toddlers for WEEKS due to this HORRIFIC cold weather

It could have been any one of those things, or all of those things above combined.

Whatever the cause, my self-diagnosed seasonal depression was affecting EVERYONE in my home and I was tired of it.

I knew my attitude was not setting a good example for my girls, was causing my poor husband to constantly walk on egg shells, was downright no fun for me and most importantly, it wasn't glorifying to God.

While the weather hasn't improved (and probably won't until about April), some of those other areas of stress have lessened a bit which helps.  We are getting back into a routine and I have implemented some of these helpful  routines and pick-me-ups to make our days more enjoyable and bust up those bad mood blues!

Routine Mood Builders:

-Quiet time FIRST THING IN THE MORNING! Even if I don't get anything else done before the girls wake up, I get my quiet time in.  Starting the day with Jesus is the best way to set a good tone for the day.

-Make my bed. I like knowing that even when the rest of the house is a mess, at least my room is a tidy get away.

-Eat a hearty breakfast (and I started drinking coffee too! Thanks mom for the Keurig)

-Exercise because like the ever intelligent Elle Woods says, "Exercise gives you endorphines. Endorphines make you happy.  Happy people don't shoot their husbands. They just don't."  It is also a bonus that I can drop the kids off at the gym childcare and we all get out of the house for a change of scenery.

-Get dressed. This sounds silly, but after I go to the gym, when the girls go down for a nap I shower and get dressed EVEN if I don't have anywhere to go the rest of the day.  Being put together makes you feel put together.  Dress well, play well!

-DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE! This is was so important for me. I LOVE to craft and I literally had not done anything crafty just for fun since November.  Last week I made myself spend nap time everyday crafting rather than chores and I can't tell you how much my mood improved for the rest of the day.  Try it!

-Circle something on the calendar that I am looking forward to.  Date night on Friday night, lunch with girlfriends on Saturday, Disney on Ice with the kids...something!  If you don't have something coming up, plan something to look forward to.

Quick Mood Boosters:

-Listen to music (yeah, I have Katy Perry on repeat, but what I am really loving right now is "The Man" by Aloe Blacc)
-Read the funnies. Open that Pinterest app and scroll through the humor section.  I promise you'll get at least one laugh.
-Quickly write a list of things you are grateful for.  Count your blessings, not your troubles.
-Do something nice for someone else.  Pay for the person behind you at Starbucks, it will brighten your day more than theirs.
-Eat a snack, rather, a treat.  Salt chocolate totally makes my day!
-Call a friend, or you mom. Someone who loves you and you love too.
-Paint your nails.  I always feel happier looking at pretty nails.
-Put on red lipstick. And then smile.  

And know that at the end of the day, Alexander's mom was right!  Everybody has a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day sometimes, even in Australia!  You're not alone, and it doesn't last forever!

So...what are some of your quick mood boosting tips for me?