Your Mood is Contagious

This morning I woke up with a headache. Not a good start.

As soon as I got out of bed my husband then told me that my 5-year-old had had a fever and cough all night.

Ok, we’ll just rest today then, that’s fine.

Nap time for the baby comes around and I change her nappy and go to grab a new one, but there are none there. Great! The prospect of dragging 4 kids to the shops, one sick, one tired, one complaining her throat is also now getting sore, and one toddler, was not something I was looking forward to. But let’s face it, the options were slim.

I had to actually put the wet nappy back on because I had nothing else until I made it to the shops!! What am I doing? How have I not learned by now to check how many nappies are left? At least it was only wet; something to be thankful for, right? Except that only lasted for the car trip and then the situation was getting critical. To cut a long story short, we made it with minimal damage: changed a nappy, came home, got baby to sleep, fed other kids. Phew.

It’s only 11am now and I am done. I would like to snuggle up in bed with a good book for company, sip hot tea, and listen to the gentle rain falling outside. But having 4 little people to look after, that’s not exactly going to happen, is it? I can probably look forward to some lukewarm tea though.

I just have to get on with it. From here, today could go one of two ways.

Have you ever had a bad day, where things just kept going from bad to worse and your frustration levels just kept rising and rising? Yep, we’ve all been there. Lately, I’ve noticed just how much power I have in these situations. How I really set the mood in our home.

Whether I am grumpy, frustrated, happy, silly, angry, anxious, or patient, the mood is contagious. We all feed off each other’s emotions. So, I can choose to keep the day going along the same path (no thanks), or I can do something to change it! Here’s what works for us when things are getting a little crazy…

8 Ways To Turn A Bad Day Around

1. Have a Dance Party

This always works for us! Turn up the music and get dancing! Boogie out the bad vibes.

2. Take a Bath

What is it with kids and water? It really seems to calm them. When tensions are high, I run a bath, or set up some water play, or take them for a swim.

3. Get Outside

Fresh air, space to run, trees to climb, dirt to dig in. That’s enough to put anyone in a good mood.

4. Laugh

Laughter is the best medicine. Do something guaranteed to get you all giggling.

5. Smile

If you can’t laugh, you can at least smile! Put a smile on your dial and keep it there until you mean it. It’s hard to be grumpy when you’re smiling.

6. Relax

Do some relaxation breathing exercises or yoga with the kids. Or even some soothing art.

7. Practice Gratefulness

What are you grateful for? Practicing gratefulness is a good habit to get into anyway. I usually ask my kids around the dinner table what they are grateful for today.

8. Cuddles

Sometimes you just need a hug. Some physical touch is soothing and calming. Group hugs are great too and often dissolve into tickle fights!

Now it’s time to smile and get on with my day! It’s rainy outside but I think it’s time for a dance party here to lighten the mood. I won't let a rough start to the day snatch an afternoon of fun away from us. The power to change things lies with me!

What’s your cure for a bad day?

Meet Sara of Happiness is Here. She loves photography, chocolate, Harry Potter, spending time in nature, life learning, and being a mum to her four beautiful girls. She and her family enjoy an unschooling lifestyle in Australia. She holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, but boasts that being a mother to her girls (and helping them learn about the world) is by far her greatest achievement and joy.

Check out these other great posts from Happiness is Here:

It's true that, if momma isn't happy - no one is happy! Making sure your needs are met is vital in maintaining those good vibes in your home. Here are a few more ideas on how to take care of yourself, so you can be there for the ones you love:

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