We like to think we’re in control of our moods. Feeling happy? Must’ve been the sunny weather or a kind word from a friend. Feeling down? Maybe it’s just the blues, a tough day at work, or not enough coffee.
But the truth is, your mood—your sense of joy, gratitude, calm, or anxiety—isn’t just floating around in your brain like some ephemeral cloud. It’s built, maintained, and influenced by the smallest, most fundamental part of you: your cells.