Friday, February 10, 2012

How to Cure a Bad Mood

It rained here on Tuesday. Well, it was more of a spritz really. I judge how rainy it is by the orange trees in my backyard. When it really rains, they get darker and shiny. Tuesday there was no change in the tree bark.

Wednesday it was back to sunshine and Thursday and it was sunshine and warmth. It's is hard to believe this is February. While I love the weather, it still seems strange and by the end of the day, I felt uneasy and in a crummy mood.

I knew it was time for my cure all. It's my own personal version of recue remedy. Whenever I feel stuck in a punk mood, the best way out of it is by laughing, preferably a lot. So, I turned on the TV and took out my knitting. Yes, knitting. I'm writing the first book in my new series and it has knitting in it instead of crochet. So, to feel closer to my characters, I'm using needles instead of a hook.

First I watched the Big Bang Theory, which is about a bunch of brainacs who go to Cal Tech. It doesn't sound like a funny concept, but it is. I also should explain that even when I'm all by myself, I laugh out loud, which is what I did all during that show. Luckily, I'v gotten good enough at simple knitting that I can knit and laugh at the same time.

Rob came on after and was only worthy of a couple of outloud laughs, but the knitting continued. I switched to the Office after that and Up All Night. Both of those shows were very funny and by the time they were over, my off mood was gone and I'd added a nice number of rows to my shawl. A double bonus.

In a pinch, if there aren't any sitcoms available when I need some laughs, I have a few movies on DVD that fit the bill. The Steve Martin movie Bowfinger is one of them. Just thinking of certain scenes gets me chuckling. And there is always the totally stupid slap stick Weekend at Bernie.

Personally, I find laughter the best medicine - and there are no side effects.

Does laughter work for you? Do you have a go to movie to watch

15 comments:

Dru said...

When I'm feeling down, my go-to movie is "Hello Dolly." Once you sing those tunes, the world is a good place.

Betty Hechtman said...

I like the idea of singing along, Dru.

mollie bryan said...

BAZINGA! I love the Big Bang Theory. A lot of time, just getting out of the house helps me out--and moving. But laughter always helps.

Chrystle Fiedler said...

I love the Big Bang Theory! I could watch that all day long. Makes work more fun!

Betty Hechtman said...

Mollie and Chrystle, I'm glad I'm not the only one that find the Big Bang Theory laugh out loud funny.

JanG said...

Monty Python, anyone?

Monica Ferris said...

A friend whose sense of humor I trust told me this morning that I should check out Big Bang Theory - now, here come more recommendations. I'm going to give it a try.

When nothing else cheers me up or makes me laugh, a recording of Bill Cosby in performance can render me helpless with laughter.

Planner said...

Betty, you're right--you can't feel down if you're laughing. (Athough laughter can have side effects--it can make you cry or hiccup!)

The warmth of the sun or my favorite upbeat music, especially when combined with aerobic dancing or jogging, usually cheers me right up, but if I had time to watch a movie, one of the Addams Family movies ("Wednesday, play with your food!") or Pink Panther movies would dissolve my blues away pronto.

Oh, and if I wanted a book to cheer me up, I'd call on Molly Pink and Adele.

Linda O. Johnston said...

The best cure for one of my bad moods, Betty, is to play with my dogs--especially a squeaky ball game with Mystie!

Shirley said...

When I am in a bad mood, watching the original Disney movie That Darn Cat, starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones, really helps!!!

Betty Hechtman said...

JanG, I've never gotten into Monty Python. But love the old Faulty Towers shows. Wasn't John Cleese part of Monty Python?

Betty Hechtman said...

Monica, I highly recommend Big Bang Theory. Bill Cosby is definitely funny.

Betty Hechtman said...

Planner, yes, exercise definitely helps. How nice of you to include Molly and Adele in your cheer up techniques. Nothing could make me happier than being able to help banish someone's bad mood.

Betty Hechtman said...

Linda, anything with pets does help. When I was watching the comedies and knitting, my very affectionate male cat was sitting on the top of my chair with his paw on my head.

Betty Hechtman said...

Shirley, I'll keep that movie in mind. I forgot another movie that always makes me laugh is The Birdcage. Whenever I even hear Sister Sledge singing We Are Family, all I can think about is the last scene of the movie with Gene Hackman in drag.