Okay so I could be bopping along having a good day and then BAM. Something comes along that spoils the mood. Maybe a nasty word from someone who's usually nice to me. Maybe I unexpectedly fouled up a task that I've done a thousand times perfectly in the past. Maybe a bird pooped on my new dress.

The good mood has vanished and I'm watching out for the next thing that might go wrong. At the moment, it feels like I can't trust life.

To restore my good mood, I may need to act quickly. Here are a few things that have worked for me in the past:

• Compliment a stranger. Say, "Nice dress!" to the woman in the bank.
• Stop by a tree, any tree, and say, "Hello" to it. Trees are good.
• Have a warm tea - no, not a beer - you still have to get back to work.
• Stand on your head, or twirl, or swing on a swing. Make it physical and playful.
• Do something that's so easy you can do it in your sleep. It'll make you feel like an expert again.
• Stroke a dog or cat or water the plants. They love it.
• Buy a flower for yourself. Just one. Or maybe a pen. It costs only a bit, yet it feels extravagant.
• Change the radio station. Listen to something different.
• Or even better, sing.
• Find the lady in the red dress or the man in the brown hat, or the licence plate starting with "X." We're curious creatures, happy when on the hunt for something.
• Find a sunbeam and sit in it for a few minutes.

Sometimes, it doesn't take much to spoil a good day. Thankfully, it doesn't take much to turn it around again either.

Stories like these are a regular feature of my free monthly Ezine, Starry Night. Subscribe today!

All content Copyright © Janet Dane unless otherwise stated.