In psychology terms, mood is an emotional state. Mood is an internal, subjective state which many may refer to as being in a ‘good’ mood or ‘bad’ mood. Any number of factors can influence our moods, such as an exciting webinar or sad news.

Personality traits predispose particular moods, for example, someone who is generally optimistic will be a more positive thinker with lighter happier moods. On the other hand, someone thought to have a neuroticism personality are more likely to respond poorly to stressors and have lower moods due to anxiety, anger, or depression.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, a researcher at the University of California, Riverside, reports genetics account for about 50% of mood. An additional 40% of our happiness is influenced by what we do deliberately to make ourselves happy. The final 10% is attributed to life circumstances.

Mood disorders are more complex, involving long term disturbances of mood such as clinical depression and bipolar disorder. Once diagnosed with a mood disorder please keep in mind to always follow your doctor’s advice, and only use alternative therapies if they are appropriate for you.

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