I visit my parents, who live about 45 minutes away. I have a great relationship with them. They're easy to talk to and the change of scenery to a place that has good memories attached and lots of beautiful green space (they live in verdant suburbs; I'm in the city).

I've also road-tripped to friends in nearby towns, or even flown to visit folks.

Reconnecting with my little tribe, the ones who love me best. That helps.

I go outside and play.

I really don't mean that to sound trite... I find that outside reminds me of who I am, what I am, and my place in the world. Find something you love to do. Run. Bike. Skate. Walk. Frisbee. Play with dog. Watch other people play with dog. Run after dog while chasing frisbees.

Or just sit and feel the sun on your face.

Works almost every time.

I get outside and garden. Even a few minutes outdoors getting dirty makes me feel like everything it going to be alright.

I also like to go for a good barefoot run. Preferably in the redwoods.

Also, like gone2croatan, I go to visit my parents. They live on 40 acres of land that my mom has sculpted into a veritable permaculture Eden. I love to have coffee with them and rant about impending doom and total societal collapse, pick blackberries, pears, acorns, and bay nuts from their property, cook a meal together... I always leave feeling recharged and hopeful (despite our conversations and my father's very lovable survivalist "doomer" disposition. ;)

Just like rose I pump up the music...usually upbeat 80s tunes or horrible bubblegum pop from my early teen Yeats because it makes me think of all the fun and stupid stuff I did. Then I conduct a massive cleaning project. The act of cleaning makes me feel accomplished and in control and also puts my mind in order.

So turn on some Debbie Gibson, throw open the windows and clean out the fridge:)

When things are dark it helps me to help someone. Maybe a few minutes helping someone with homework or even something as simple as earnest complent to ten people. It always makes the world seem a little less brutal.

Well, I don't know if you're upset about the loss, the fire, or both, but it's all over with and there is nothing you can do about it now. So, kick back, put on your favorite music and reach for that container of Haagen-Dazs. Be happy that you live in such a beautiful place. Imagine what it would be like to live in Cleveland. That's what I would do.

Don't know if you're in vancouver like me (noticed u r from west coast), but it's definitely not fun watching the news today! (oops this was supposed to be a comment not an answer, I blame my iPhone)

i like to look at the sky. we are fortunate to be able to see that colour of blue during the day and the full moon at night- its so good it makes me cry.

Pump up the volume - metal/rock/punk does it for me, Rammstein, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Green Day, Stone Sour, Alter Bridge... Or, occasionally, I'll go the other extreme and wind down with Clannad, Pink Floyd, Judie Tzuke etc.

If it's really bad then I take it out on my guitar playing much as mentioned above, or Rock Band drums :)

Basically, just do something you like. Go for a walk/run/cycle in the sun (or rain for that matter) in the park, or woods, by the river, wherever. Or take time to play with your children (especially if they're young).

Get outside. Even in mediocre weather. Garden, exercise, or just walk around. It is pretty hard to me to stay in a bad mood, or the same mood, after a 30-60 minute break outside.

Longer term, I found that Vitamin D has a miraculous effect on my moods, especially in the winter months. I have very few "blah" days after starting that supplement.

Like so many others here, music is the thing that turns my mood around.

Some days I like to revel just a bit in my mood. Any of you guys do that? Must be my darkish nature. I kinda dig on the gray days and gray moods.

Hmm . . . I'll have to think about that longer!

And like OldBear, Rock Bank really turns moods around!