Positive Mood Management :)

Since we've learned recently about the uses and gratifications of music I think it would be appropriate to share an experience I had with music that assisted me in managing a positive mood. In no means did I begin with a positive mood, but after realizing music might help, I turned on some happy music in hopes it would help. And it did! So here's the story... I came home the other day to a stressed husband making dinner in an incredibly messy kitchen. Dishes were overflowing and counter space was near non-existent. I had a busy, rough day and just really wanted to come home and relax. Being at school all day with a pregnant body is no fun some days! Anyways, I jumped in to help with dinner and the interaction between us was not at all upbeat and positive. Our stress kept rubbing off on each other and we just about had it. Steven, my husband, was able to clear some of the dishes out of the way while I finished up details on dinner and by the end we felt a little better, but things were still not all the way better. He soon after left for a lab at school and I was left at home with all these question marks as to why that experience was so horrible. Dwelling on the negative didn't help the situation any better so I decided to turn on some music. Listening to the happy music put me in a positive mood and I was able to get the kitchen cleaned and write little love notes that I hid around the house for my husband. When my husband returned, my positive mood helped him be positive, and we both were able to talk about and solve our little predicament. The rest of the night went great! I'm grateful for music and it's ability to influence our mood positively when it seems like we can't do it on our own.