1. Moods

2. How to Get Into the Best Mood Think "P for positive" and focus on these 6 things that can help you reset your mood: Purpose Place People Playlist Posture Promotion

3. Purpose. Get clear on what you want and need to do. For example, you might want to get your studying done as fast and well as possible so you can go to a party later. Place. Put yourself in the right situation — If you need to study, it's better to find a table or desk in a quiet room than to go to the family room where you might be distracted. People. Who can help you feel the way you need to feel? A focused classmate is a better study companion than a chatty friend. Sometimes, just thinking of a particular person is enough to help you feel confident, inspired, strong, or supported.

4. Playlist. Music is one of the most powerful influences on mood. Create playlists for the moods that are the most helpful and positive for your life. Posture. Move your body into the right mood. For studying, try exercises that help you focus on your physical posture like yoga. For energy, try a workout that gets your heart rate up. To prepare for sleep, try deep breathing, gentle stretching, or other soothing activities. Promotion. Encourage yourself with self-talk. Self-talk is a way of using thoughts to influence your mood. If you've ever said to yourself, "OK, let's get serious for a minute" or "I can do this!" you've used self-talk to get into the right mood for a situation. Self-talk doesn't just create the mindset that supports your mood, it also helps you keep a mood going. That's why pep talks work so well for athletes.

5. How to Get Out of an Unhelpful Mood To get out of a mood that's unpleasant or unhelpful, think "U for U-turn." Try these mood changers: Undo Unstick Unwind Practicing ways to choose your mood intentionally can help you get good at it.

6. Undo. Do something to break the train of thought that keeps your old mood going. Distract yourself with a game or simply focus on what's going on outside your window for a few minutes. Distractions are like rebooting your mind — they create a space between moods. Unstick. Change your body posture. If you're sitting, stand up. Do some jumping jacks. Stretch. Walk around the room. Moving your body changes your mindset and mood. Unwind. Sit quietly, breathe gently, and focus on each breath. To keep your mind from wandering back to a mood you're trying to change, every time you take a breath, say to yourself: "I'm breathing in" and "I'm breathing out." Focus on feeling calm.

7. Next time you feel a strong mood, stop and name it. Ask yourself if it's the ideal mood for what you're trying to accomplish. Sometimes, even the happiest of moods might not be right for a particular situation (as anyone who's excited about weekend plans during Friday afternoon classes knows).