Your mood state can literally change in a moment’s notice. For example, if you just learned you hit the lottery, the euphoria experienced by instantly winning millions of dollars takes over automatically. Similarly, if you receive unfortunate news of a loved one’s passing, your affect very quickly turns to sadness. In both examples, mood state changes quickly — and dramatically. By understanding human emotions and how fast they can fluctuate, we can begin to use designed prompts to help us experiece positive mental health — the key is planning ahead.
Find a great video & play it
Most everyone today has a cell phone that includes hundreds — if not thousands — of saved videos. While many of the videos saved are of everyday happenings that are hardly significant, it’s likely that you have a handful of videos saved of those special moments in life. Holding your newborn baby the first time. Your kid’s first base hit. Graduation. Wedding vows. Those are just a few of the big moments many of us share, but you likely have even more special, unique videos that you feel the magic of the moment captured. These videos move you, touch your heart and soul, and may even bring a tears of joy to your eyes. Talk about a boost to mental health!
Life is full of ups and downs, peaks and valleys. There will inevitably be a moment in your future where you could use a lift, something to help pull you from the negative emotions after having a bad day. Many people when experiencing a day like this will self-sabotage with drugs or alcohol, or engage in other unhealthy ways of coping. Granted, these things may “work” by means of inebriation and/or distraction, but why not use a better tool that you have right there on your phone? That’s where the value of having a great video (or two!) to use as a pick-me-up.
Remember, your mood state can change quickly as we have learned. When stressed, why not re-direct quickly, and in the direction that you want? Rather than stopping at the bar, why not pull up one of your favorite videos and watch it. Sit with the video, feel the emotions. Watch it again. And again. Feel those good emotions all over again, and win the moment! Admittedly, feeling good about a video won’t necessarily fix the issue you are experiencing, but it will turn an otherwise not-so-great day into something that feels better, more optimistic, and serves as a reminder that not all is lost.
Final thoughts
Mood states shift quickly, and moods can be changed depending on what we think about. Modern technology by means of accessible videos on our phones allows for instant mood boosts, but we have to plan ahead so that we can pull up those special moments when needed. When we feel better, we experience more energy, confidence, and problem-solving abilities — the things that allow us to move past tough moments and onto better things. Experience better mental health by means of the videos on your camera roll right now!
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