Music has the power to impact our moods, tell a story, motivate us to action, and even fall asleep.  We all have favorite songs that bring us joy, and music that draws us close to the Lord.

Tunes in a major key are often bright and upbeat, while tunes in a minor key tend to be more somber and melancholy. To be sure, both have given us masterpieces, moving hymns, and libraries of popular music. And I think we need both, to capture the range of human emotion.

But too many people plod through life with a dreary, hopeless outlook, seemingly convinced that everything is bad and getting worse. To give in to pessimism is to give up on faith and hope.

Genetics and environmental factors can contribute to someone having a gloomy outlook, but psychologists say that left unaddressed, pessimism can lead to anxiety, depression, and a host of physical health problems.

It can also impair concentration, memory, decision-making abilities, academic and occupational performance, and can contribute to low self-esteem.

Relationships suffer, as well. Experts point to lack of trust, lack of appreciation, insecurity, and neediness, among other traits that damage relationships when someone only expects the worst.

Developing resilience and the ability to bounce back from adversity often takes help from others, but much of this downcast mental outlook can be avoided if caught early on. And maybe you know someone who is choosing sadness over joy, when both are on the table for the choosing.

If you, or someone you love, wants to turn this around, there are several things that can help you live life in a major key again:

  1. Keep a gratitude journal. Focusing on our blessings is always healthier than ruminating about life’s hard blows.
  2. President Henry B. Eyring says, “Joy comes from putting the welfare of others above our own.” Serving others always lifts our spirits.
  3. If you’re a news junkie, tone it down. If negative comments on social media are causing you to despair, take a break from it. Don’t allow media and electronic messages to dictate your mood.
  4. Examine what you are anguishing about. President Russell M. Nelson has said, “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” Make following Christ the focus, and choose to do as He advised: Forgive, Sacrifice, Serve, Help, Obey, Exercise Faith.
  5. Make some of your prayers expressions of thanks. Just thanks, no asking, simply gratitude.
  6. Study scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. This invites the Holy Ghost, and He testifies of truth. All of that brings joy.
  7. Rather than an unpleasant journey, repentance is exhilarating, cleansing, and uplifting. When we repent we are choosing light.
  8. Define yourself differently. Instead of wearing the robes of the pessimist, decide you’re a happy, optimistic person. Approach life with a smile.
  9. Bring happiness to others and you’ll find it rubs off on you.
  10. Avoid those who bring you down. If someone is bullying you or is hypercritical, take charge of your disposition and who can exert influence over you.
  11. If your efforts have been on worldly acclaim or materialism, set it down and walk away. Regain your resolve to follow Christ and to find joy in those things which are eternal.
  12. President Nelson has told us to be patient with ourselves, to remember that “perfection comes not in this life, but in the next life.”
  13. Self-pity is a huge tool of Satan’s. He wants us to think we have it so much worse than others do. Elder Neil L. Anderson said, “Some will say, ‘You don’t understand my situation.’ I testify there is One who does understand.” Refuse to wallow in bad luck. Turn to Christ, who truly knows you.
  14. Last, seek those things which uplift you. Attend the temple. Take a class you’ve always wanted to. Call a caring friend. Finish the project you’ve been putting off. And yes, listen to joyful music. Maybe choose something in a major key.

Joni Hilton is an LDS author, Seminary teacher, and shares life hacks at https://m.youtube.com/c/jonihilton. Her novel, Golden, is now an Amazon audiobook. Perfect for Mother’s Day!