We all feel gloomy sometimes. The question is, do you have the skills to pull yourself out of it?
We all have those moments where we feel down in the dumps, gloomy, sad, scared or angry. Sometimes we even feel like we can be happy one moment and miserable the next.
While bad moods can have legitimate internal and external causes, we all need the tools to be able to make over our moods so that we can be in a more positive place.
Here's a quiz to help you figure out whether your mood makeover tools are sharp or whether you could use a refresher course about shifting from a negative to positive mood when the need arises.
1. When I feel anxious about a situation, it impacts my day and my mood.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
2. If I am at a work, school or social event and accidentally discover a small spill on my pants it puts me in a bad mood.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
3. If my friend or co-worker has said something to hurt my feelings it is hard for me to shake it off.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
4. If I decide to try a new look and change something like my hairstyle and end up not liking it, I can be upset about it for days, weeks or even months.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
5. If my partner and I go to a party, and I accommodate him/her by leaving early even though I am having a good time, I will likely be upset with one or both of us for having left.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
Read More: Quiz: How Much Emotional Baggage Do You Carry?
6. If someone is trying to be playful with me and I am not in the mood, I tend to react in a negative way.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
7. If a stranger approaches me to strike up a conversation, I am likely to be annoyed instead of interested.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
8. If you asked my friends or family, they would say that my negative experiences impact my life and relationships in a significant way.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
9. Sometimes I feel like I am at the mercy of my bad moods and I do not know how to make them better.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
Read More: Quiz: How Close Is Your Relationship?
10. I tend to lose sleep over situations that are out of my control.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
11. I have a tendency to put a negative spin on things.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
12. When I feel self-conscious about my appearance or something I have done, it can put me in a bad mood.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
13. If an activity I was looking forward to is canceled due to bad weather or other outside influences, I would have a hard time letting go of my disappointment.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
14. I find that I can be easily distressed in situations that others might consider no big deal.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
15. I can be one of those people that switches from being calm to upset fairly quickly.
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
Answers
Mostly A's
If most of your answers were A, in all likelihood the bulk of your negative moods do not necessarily have a specific external cause. Because our moods can be impacted by the way we think and feel, you might try to work toward channel your thoughts and feelings ina more positive direction.
Perhaps you spend too much time dwelling on the bad experiences. Maybe you have a tendency to view things in a negative light. In your quest to make over your mood, it would be useful for you to figure out the source of your negative thinking. It is also important for you to make efforts to focus on positivity, gratitude and happiness in all areas of your life.
Mostly B's
If the majority of your answers were B, you have moments of being able to manage your mood into a positive direction but you also have many moments where you get stuck in negative emotional places. It is important that you identify the ways that you are effective when it comes to being happy and positive and make sure that you continue maintaining those. It is also important that you pinpoint the areas in which you struggling with your mood, so you can begin working at getting new tools and techniques to create more happiness.
Mostly C's
If the majority of your answers were C, you have a great mastery at the skills required to make over your mood. When you are in a bad emotional place or in a negative state of mind whether it is due to internal or external causes you do a good job of managing those feelings and moving into a more positive place. Keep up the good work!
Read more about the "Mood Makeover" in the October, 2015 issue of Live Happy magazine!
Stacy Kaiser is a licensed psychotherapist, author, relationship expert and media personality. She is also the author of the best-selling book, How to Be a Grown Up: The Ten Secret Skills Everyone Needs to Know, and an editor-at-large for Live Happy. Stacy is a frequent guest on television programs such as Today and Good Morning America.
