A Wave May Change Your Mood but is that a Good Thing?

No one likes being stuck in traffic or facing a construction detour or delay. Can a smiling construction worker change your mood?

If you are having doubts, I challenge you to watch this short video clip about a construction worker in East Norriton, Pennsylvania who is brightening the days of many weary travelers on their commutes. You can watch the video here.

They call him, "Mr. Happy" and he waves to every vehicle that passes by. Sometimes he shouts a cheery 'hello' and many commuters are waving back and beeping horns back at him.

There could be a downside for being in a good mood. Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a link between forgetfulness and being in a good mood. Actually, working memory capacity is decreased by the impact of a positive mood. Happy people recall less detail. Perhaps that is the reason that the happy construction worker is having an affect on the folks stuck in traffic. They forget they are going to be late for work.

This "bad mood improves memory" is nothing new. Back in 2004, the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology reported that, "happy people made less-reliable witnesses," because they often included misleading details in eyewitness accounts.

While a bad mood improves your memory a good mood can have a positive affect on your heart-health. According to the American Heart Association, lightening the load can lead to stress-reduction which will ultimately promote healthy hearts. The AHA states, "You're more creative, more alive, and more able to enjoy small moments of happiness." They forgot to tell you that all those happy thoughts will lead to forgetfulness.

I have to admit, I consider my short-term memory a blessing. I rarely worry about the future because I'm too busy concentrating on the present moments.

And, if I happen to see Mr. Happy at the next construction site, I'll be the next in line to lend a friendly honk and an exuberant wave as I shout, "Have a great day!"

Of course I may not remember meeting him along the bumpy road.

Sources:

https://nbsubscribe.missouri.edu/news-releases/2011/0330-being-in-a-good-mood-may-lead-to-poor-memory/

http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20040902/being-in-bad-mood-may-improve-your-memory

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/FightStressWithHealthyHabits/What-Is-Stress-Management_UCM_321076_Article.jsp

http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/03/us-mood-memory-idUSTRE5A207W20091103

http://www.vrp.com/heart-health/a-good-mood-equals-a-healthy-heart

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleListURL&_method=list&_ArticleListID=1798154278&_sort=r&_st=13&view=c&_acct=C000228598&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=b5cb17782cb7842a04a77323f64055ba&searchtype=a

http://www.vrp.com/heart-health/a-good-mood-equals-a-healthy-heart