We all have our bad days. We oversleep, we spill coffee on our white shirt, we get stuck in traffic, we forget the office keys, and we leave our lunch at home…all before 8:00 a.m. While situations like this are certainly annoying, we can usually vent to a coworker, laugh it off, and then get on with our day.
Other times, however, our emotions get the best of us. We’re sad, anxious, and for whatever reason, we can’t stop feeling down.
Well, I have some news for you. There’s a way to feel better. And I’m here to show you how. Today’s post is all about simple, practical, and manageable strategies to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down.
Boost Your Mood When You’re Feeling Down
Talk about your feelings
Loved Ones
There’s an old saying that goes, “a problem shared is a problem halved.” And from my own experience, this sentiment is 100% true. Any time I’m feeling down, and I just can’t seem to shake it, the first thing I do is I turn to someone I love and share what’s on my mind.
And you know what? The moment I voice those concerns to another person, I feel an incredible weight lifted off my shoulders.
So if you’ve been bottling up your emotions recently, it might be time to open up a bit. If this isn’t a normal practice for you, it might feel a little uncomfortable at first. But just remind yourself that the people you’re reaching out to only want the best for you. So let them help by lending an ear.
[bctt tweet=”A problem shared is a problem halved. #communication #sharing #talkitout #boostyourmood” username=”BusyBeingPaula”]
Professionals
There are other times, however, when talking with a friend or loved one might not be the right answer. Perhaps you need an objective voice who’s removed from the situation. Or maybe you have an easier time opening up to someone from outside your everyday life. Whatever the reason, there are so many resources out there for you.
You might work through your day to day struggles with a counselor, move toward a future of intention with a life coach, or look deep into your past with a therapist.
Choose whatever option feels right for you; the important thing is simply talking it out because sharing your feelings with someone else can help ease the burden greatly.
Feeling Down? Get Active!
When you focus solely on one problem, emotion, or experience, it’s often difficult to see anything else. And this is especially true when it’s a negative situation. Why? Because of our old friend, the negativity bias.
Essentially, we all have a negativity bias. And this bias makes bad news, sad emotions, or difficult experiences more challenging to manage than the good stuff. As psychology today explains, “your brain is simply built with a greater sensitivity to unpleasant news. The bias is so automatic that it can be detected at the earliest stage of the brain’s information processing.”
In other words, it’s significantly easier to focus on the bad than on the good. Bummer, huh?
Well, don’t worry, because there are ways around this. And one of my favorites is keeping yourself busy. When you fill your day with activity, you shift your focus away from the negative experience and onto other positive things instead.
So make plans with friends, book a weekend getaway (or staycation), make a list of things to do around your house etc. Getting active and shifting your focus might just provide the relief you need to lift your spirits and stop feeling down.
Looking for some fun ideas? Check out these suggestions:
14 Ideas For Date Night At Home
75 Fun Activities For A No-Spend Weekend
6 Questions To Plan the Vacation Of Your Dreams
Feeling Down? Make a plan
Sometimes when we’re feeling down, we’re also lacking direction. We can’t find the motivation we need to get started on a project, because we don’t know where to begin. Needless to say, this is incredibly frustrating. And as the hours, days, and weeks slip by, we feel even worse.
If you’re feeling a bit lost, or you’re unsure of where to start, one of the best things you can do is make a plan. A plan helps kick you into gear, and it gives you the clear direction you need to rediscover your motivation and get back on track. So whether you need a plan for the day, the week, the month, or the year, get out a pad of paper and map it out.
Looking for some extra planning strategies? Check out these posts:
My Number 1 Time Management Strategy
Practice self-care
One of the best ways to lift yourself up when you’re feeling down is by practicing self-care. As I wrote in a recent post about self-care, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
If you’ve been running yourself ragged, and you find yourself feeling completely rundown, chances are your cup is empty; it’s time to fill it back up.
Get some sleep. Connect with friends. Read a book. Relax. Do whatever is important to you, so that you can bounce back to 100%
Do you need some self-care ideas? How about 40 of them? Get a list here!
So the next time you’re feeling down, put these strategies to use. It may take a little time to get back on your feet, but don’t worry. You’ll get there. Just remember to talk it out, keep busy, make a plan, and practice self-care. You’ll be back to yourself in no time.
Question:
How do you lift yourself up when you’re feeling down? Do you practice self-care regularly? Does it help boost your mood when you talk with someone? Let me know below!
