A mood is a state of mind and can be positive or negative.  People sometimes say they are in a "good mood" if they are happy -- or in a "bad mood" if they are sad, or angry. Moods usually last for several hours or days.

Sometimes, people's moods depend on what kind of personality they have. People who have a positive mental attitude are optimistic and often in a good mood. People who have a negative mental attitude are pessimistic are often in a bad mood. People's moods also change when things happen to them or affect them in the world around them.

The Mood of the Nation application focuses on three major elements that influence mood - physical health, mental attitude and emotional state.  Join the Mood of the Nation and add your mood to the world's.  See how moods change over the course of the day, week, or months.  See how major events affect the mood of people around the world!  

LEGEND:  Red = Emotional State, Blue = Physical Health, Green = Mental Attitude

Does Exercise Affect Mood?

Yes - exercise has a direct positive affect on your physical and mental health.  According to CDC, regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and may help you sleep better. Research has shown that doing aerobic or a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities 3 to 5 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes can give you these mental health benefits. Some scientific evidence has also shown that even lower levels of physical activity can be beneficial. 

Does Weather Affect Mood?

No - apparently not as much as you might think!  A recent study by Jaap Denissen from Humoboldt University found the rather surprising conclusion that there is only a very small effect of weather on mood.

Does Food Affect Mood?

Yes!  According to this report from ABC News Medical Unit, food can affect your mood and your mood can affect what food you eat!

Do Stressful Events Affect Mood?

Absolutely - and if you need convincing you can always read research reports from groups such as the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.   Events can be personal or can be more public in nature (e.g. such as an election!).

Does Chocolate Affect Mood?

Yes - there have been a number of studies on this topic and the consensus is that chocolate makes us feel good because we like the way it tastes!

Does Color Affect Mood?

There are those that say it does, where people have emotional associations with certain colors.  Pink colored holding-cells have  been used in some police stations and prisons with the intention of influencing the mood and behaviour of prisoners - this report found the cell color made no difference.

Does Biorhyhm Affect Mood?

A biorhythm is a hypothetical cycle in physiological, emotional, or intellectual well-being or prowess. "Bio-" pertains to life and "rhythm" pertains to the flow with regular movement. The theory has no more predictive power than chance, and has been labeled a pseudoscience by skeptics.