Get Out Of A Funk
Feeling stuck in a "funk" or a low mood can be challenging. Sometimes there appears to be no reason for the feeling, and other times you may attribute it to a situation. Whatever the reason being in a funk isn’t ideal. Here are eight strategies that may help you get out of a funk - some may have appeared in previous blogs but a gentle reminder is not a bad thing.
Move your body: Exercise or physical activity can boost endorphins, which can help elevate your mood. Even a short walk can make a big difference. You could even put on some funky disco and bust a move in your kitchen or living room!
Connect with others: Spend time with friends, family, or coworkers who lift your spirits and make you feel good. Talk to them about how you're feeling and seek support. Alternatively you can spend time with a pet and talk to them. I know it may feel weird doing that, but sometimes talking to an animal that can’t answer back or give you advice can be a good thing. They will offer you comfort as you talk to them and the act of doing it can actually help you sort things out. I used to talk to my dog all the time.
Practice self-care: Make time for activities that you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, or taking a relaxing bath. Making sure that you actually make time for your hobbies is very important, if you don’t there’s no down time and that’s not good. You may feel that taking time out like that is a waste of time “when there’s so much else to do” but time taken doing something you enjoy or relaxing/resting isn’t a waste of time - it’s self-care. Add in to the mix eating well and getting enough sleep and you’re on to a winner.
Challenge negative thoughts: When you notice negative thoughts creeping in, challenge them with positive affirmations or by looking for evidence to the contrary. Remember though that a negative thought is highlighting something that isn’t right in your life so look at what the negative thought is about and then…
…Set achievable goals: Setting and achieving small goals can help build momentum and give you a sense of accomplishment. If you’re struggling with negative thoughts about a certain issue then make a goal to do something about it. Think about what positive actions you can take to start working on the thing(s) you want to change. Don’t think that you have to tackle it all at once - you don’t and I actually advise against doing so. As my best fiend says, “Nibble at the elephant’s trunk.”
Try something new: Doing something outside of your routine can break the cycle of feeling stuck and create a sense of excitement. In fact it doesn’t even have to be something new - just different. For example if you haven’t played golf for absolutely ages and you used to enjoy it, go and play a round - or for fun find a mini-golf/adventure golf place and have a laugh in the process.
Get organised: Decluttering your space and making a to-do list can help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Some people swear by to-do lists, others hate them; some even have lists for their lists. The thing with lists is that they’re great for keeping us organised as long as we don’t keep putting things off. We all have things that need to be done but we don’t enjoy. The thing is, if we keep putting it off it’s just gonna get worse and the longer it takes the worse it gets.
Practice mindfulness: Focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the past or future. Mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you stay present. If you find yourself thinking too much about the past or worrying about the future take a moment to acknowledge where you are now and you’re doing right this moment. The past is important of course, but doesn’t want to be dwelled on. Reminiscing about happy, fun things is great - but reliving traumatic events is going to hinder you moving forward. Getting life coaching or counselling can go a way to helping you move on from past events. It’s also great to plan for the future but being concerned about what might happen takes away the importance of the now. All we have is now - this very second is the only one that is guaranteed…so make the most of it and do your best to enjoy every one!
