Sometimes you feel alone, unhappy, and unloved. Sometimes you don't know what to do, or where to turn, and when that happens, your mood naturally takes a nosedive. Here are 12 things you can do to help yourself snap out of that funk!
1. Put together a playlist.
No joke though, “put together a playlist” is my first step for just about everything. I publish mine on 8tracks http://8tracks.com/armedtruths if I’m really feeling it. To me, a playlist can make or break my mood because music is so central to my life.
2. Sing along to said playlist.
Doesn’t matter how good/bad you are, singing feels like a natural pick-me-up to me. Bonus points if you unashamedly rock a couple dance moves.
3. Exercise.
I think Elle Woods said this one best:
4. Talk to someone who cares about you.
Hi, Mom! Seriously, though, the people who care about you see you as the amazing person you are, and they’ll be there for you when you need them.
5. Have a long drink of water.
We don’t always drink as much water as we should, and that makes us more susceptible to headaches and poor moods from dehydration.
6. Take a relaxing bath/shower.
More bonus points if you use a bath bomb, body wash, or bubble bath in a fragrant scent.
7. Write or draw or make art with your feelings.
This works especially if you’re angry with someone! Rather than jumping into a potentially hurtful situation, write what you want to say. If it doesn’t seem particularly important in an hour, or 12 hours, or 24, let it go.
If you’re feeling sad, sometimes the best art comes from sadness. Writing is a particular kind of therapy that allows you to get to the root of your problems and analyze what’s really got you down. It doesn’t have to be Shakespeare or Picasso!
8. Make yourself a cup of fragrant tea.
I like peppermint with a little bit of honey! Tea calms me if I’m angry, cheers me up if I’m sad, and settles my upset stomachs.
9. Go on a walk.
Walking will both give you a chance to clear your head and provide you with some gentle exercise. Sometimes I need to look at the bigger picture of my life and take a step back because I get caught up in the little annoyances. Taking a walk is a great way to press pause.
10. Slay the little dragons.
Redbook article and it definitely clicked with me. “Slaying the little dragons” just means to do tasks that take sixty seconds or less, like wiping down your workspace, making the bed in your dorm room, or putting your textbooks back neatly on the shelf. Once those smaller tasks are done, you’re likely to feel less overwhelmed.
11. Think of times that you did something amazing.
Perhaps you brightened someone’s day with a random act of kindness, or you volunteered. Maybe you accomplished something big at work, or stood up for yourself. I like to think of times I’ve spent at the Humane Society of Delaware County with all the cats as a volunteer because cats never fail to make me feel better! Whatever the reason, reflecting on past accomplishments is an easy way to pick yourself up.
12. Sleep!
Naps make everything better. 10-30 minute naps have been scientifically proven to make you feel better and make you more productive.
And if all else fails…here's a cute kitten cam to make you smile.
