Everyone has those periods of time when they feel like they're stuck in a rut. The worst thing you can do when you feel down is nothing because that just invites all of the negative feelings to you. Sometimes self-care is an afterthought, especially when you're in school or working. The first and most important things are obvious but easy to forget. Make sure you're eating, drinking water, and taking medication (if you're on it). The following things have helped me and a lot of other people.
1. Eat something healthy.
Junk food is the worst when you don't feel good. The sugar and fats will make you feel even worse and unmotivated. Fruit and vegetables are good things to replace ice cream and potato chips. Healthy food gives you a vitamin boost too, which can give you energy and make you feel a little better.
2. Listen to music that makes you happy.
Put away the sad songs and the angry rock and listen to something happy. When you listen to sad music you marinate in your negativity and you get stuck in a never ending loop of feeling down in the dumps.
3. Take a bath or a shower.
Sometimes taking some time to relax and pamper yourself is extremely helpful. If you want to up the ante, try aromatherapy. Lavender is known for its relaxing aroma and there are tons of soaps and bath bombs you can try to help with stress relief, relaxation, and energizing.
4. Do something you normally enjoy.
Being idle and watching Netflix all day is extremely passive and all too easy to do. When you're feeling down try to do at least 1 or 2 things that you normally enjoy, even if you really don't feel like it. If you're at a loss for what to do, consider art, cooking, cleaning, music, reading, or exercising.
5. Move around.
Go for a walk! It sounds so cheesy but exercise is a great thing to do when you aren't feeling happy. Put on your favorite song and dance, or go for a swim. Anything that gets you out of bed is more than likely to help lift your spirits.
Sometimes life can get to be too much. when you start to feel like you're sinking remember that it's important to put your well being ahead of your grades and your paycheck. Pamper yourself and make a list of things to accomplish so you can look back and know that you achieved something. Small things like talking to a friend, reading, or taking a shower can make a huge difference in your mood. Try to notice when you feel upset and work through it before it gets to be too much to bear. Feelings pass, and this is just a feeling. You're going to be okay.
