Whether you wake up feeling depressed or you're simply feeling discouraged, feeling like you're stuck in a mental funk is not uncommon and you shouldn't feel alone. It can come with the a change of seasons, a change in pace or routine, or maybe for no reason at all. I am particularly prone to this feeling when I overextend myself or don't get enough sleep. It's frustrating, and sometimes trying to shake the funk can be difficult. Here are eight techniques that I use to overcome this feeling of negativity and uplift my mood.

1. Check in with yourself

Take inventory of how you are feeling by asking yourself these simple questions: Am I going to bed at a decent hour? How am I sleeping? Am I eating a balanced diet? Am I stressing out my liver by consuming too much alcohol and processed foods? Am I overexercising or engaging in activities that could be putting stress on my body?

By asking yourself these simple questions, you can get an idea of your biological balance. Our bodies are constantly working to maintain homeostasis and a healthy chemical balance, but it is important to be mindful of how we treat our bodies. Maintaining a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and taking time to do self-care are three simple ways we can prevent unhealthy chemical imbalances that can impact our mood.

2. Take time to acknowledge the issue

I'll be the first to admit that when I am in a mental funk, the last thing I want to do is acknowledge it. I would much rather ignore it, continue with my negative mindset, and hope that it will simply go away without me having to put any energy into fixing it. However, I have realized that if I acknowledge the fact that I am feeling a little out of whack and take the time to consider why this might be, it will lead to me feeling better a lot faster than if I ignore the problem. I don't mean that you should indulge in your negative emotions, but simply acknowledging that they exist will get you one step closer to understanding where they are coming from.

3. Write about it

Until a year ago I never journaled. Honestly, I thought it was only for people that had anger, sadness, and an overall negative life. However, when my yoga instructor shared in class one day that she writes in her journal every morning, simply writing down uplifting mantras to begin her day with a positive mindset, I decided I'd give it a shot. I learned that I could write about anything, that I don't necessarily have to be unhappy to journal. Most importantly, I realized that writing down my emotions and thoughts felt extremely freeing and rid my mind of any negativities. Grab a pen and piece of paper and give it a try!

4. Channel your energy in a positive way

When I am in a funk, I tend to hold a lot of stress. I have realized that this stress has to be released somehow, or I literally risk the chance of spontaneously combusting. As someone that is constantly combatting anxious tendencies, I have noticed that I have to be conscious of the way I chose to release my anxiety and stress. If I'm not careful, I'll end up screaming and flicking off the driver that just cut me off in the middle of the interstate, taking out my anger on my family and friends, or simply passing my negativities on to those around me by making sure everyone in my path knows I'm in a horrible mood. Some ways that I have learned to channel this energy into positive actions are cleaning, organizing, cooking, and baking. Simply giving myself a constructive task to focus on helps me not only clear my mind, but get things done!

5. Give to others

Have you ever heard the saying that kindness heals? Whenever you're feeling sorry for yourself, just remember that someone else has been there before too. Instead of wasting your energy on being mean to others, try doing something kind for someone else. For example, one day I woke up feeling awfully pessimistic, rain was pouring from the sky, and I was all out of coffee. While running to a local coffee shop for a morning pick-me-up, I saw an elderly woman struggling to her car without an umbrella. After helping her, she gave me the most genuine thank-you that I had received in a long time. This simple thank-you uplifted my mood, and knowing that I made the slightest impact on that woman's morning made me happy.

6. Live in the moment

This is something I still struggle with every day. Sometimes I feel as if I am stuck on a carousel, a carousel that never stops spinning. I can either chose to focus my energy on trying to figure out why I got on the carousel in the first place, when the carousel will stop spinning, or I can pick out the prettiest stallion and enjoy the ride! I know that seems like a silly analogy, but focusing your energy on the present moment, not worrying about the past or the future, has an extremely calming effect.

7. Get some fresh air

I can't stress enough how easy it is to take five minutes out of your day to walk outside, breathe in the fresh air, absorb the warmth of the sun, feel the breeze across your face, and appreciate the world around you. Nature has healing effects. Whenever I'm feeling down, I'll take five minutes to step outside and walk around. It's amazing what a little fresh air can do for you. Give it a try.

8. Have some fun

Laughter is an incredible stress reliever. I know that when you have a lot of negative energy swirling around in your head that the last thing you want to do is something frivolous. But what do you have to lose by having a little fun?! Go out to dinner and the movies with your friends! Have a girls' night! Sometimes going out to play and do something silly is exactly what you need to put your life back into perspective. Whatever it is that makes you smile and laugh, make it a priority to do more of that.

I hope that these eight tips can help you as much as they have helped me in times of negativity. Also, remember that just because you're in a funk, it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you. It happens to everyone! Don't forget to reach out to people you trust for support and be kind to yourself.