254. Stop Letting Your Moods Control You! Do This Instead

Clinical psychologist and author Dr. Julie Erickson joins Diane Gilman to tackle the post-holiday blues with five science-backed ways to improve your mood and reset your emotional outlook. From reframing negative thoughts to reconnecting with purpose and nature, Dr. Erickson shows how to stop letting moods drive the day—and instead start making decisions that shape your mood.

This uplifting midwinter episode is all about reclaiming control, finding meaning, and nurturing emotional resilience—proof that happiness can be a habit built through simple daily practices.

Top 5 tips from Dr. Julie Erickson

1. Schedule small joys, mastery, and meaning. Include one pleasurable task, one mastery task, and one meaningful task daily—don’t wait for happiness to happen; plan for it.
2. Push back against defeating thoughts. Spot negative self-talk early, replace words like “awful” or “hopeless” with neutral ones like “challenging” or “temporary.”
3. Set meaningful goals. Progress fuels purpose. Even small goals lift confidence and reduce rumination.
4. Get outside and soak sunlight. Morning sun boosts serotonin and lowers melatonin. Combine light with movement to double the mood improvement.
5. Deepen real social connections. Support others to feel supported yourself—acts of giving are proven mood boosters and cut depression risk by up to 50%.

About Dr. Julie Erickson

• Website: DrJulieErickson.com – Find her publications, speaking events, and consulting information.
• Instagram: @drjulieerickson – Daily mindset tips and mood-boosting strategies.
• LinkedIn: Julie Erickson, Ph.D. – Articles and updates on emotional health and positive psychology.

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