Previous Story
A Guide to Getting Out of a Funk
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but it’s hard to know sometimes if you’re just in a funky place, down in the dumps, or suffering from depression.
If you’ve been experiencing signs of depression other than just feeling down, including apathy from things you used to enjoy, trouble concentrating, restlessness or oversleeping, or any of the other symptoms associated with depression, consider making an appointment with a mental health professional. Taking care of your mental health is not selfish; it’s selfish to ignore yourself.
However, we all go through rough bumps, and if you think you’re in a place that you could benefit from self-help, here are some ways to make you start feeling like yourself again.
Keep a set schedule
Set a schedule. If you have the flexibility of working from home or remotely, or even the option of setting your own schedule, it can be easy to fall into a bad cycle of sleeping in, or staying up late. Adequate sleep will help with depression symptoms, and a schedule can help to add clarity to your life.
Indulge a bit
Give yourself some self-love. What does self-love mean to you? Is it indulging in an expensive bottle of wine? Or, maybe it’s pampering yourself with a bubble bath or massage. Don’t ignore the things that you find joy in. If you find it hard to justify indulging in some self-care, remind yourself how much better you feel after you’ve allowed yourself to decompress.
Don’t ignore your physical health
Take steps to improve your health. Physical health can impact mental health, just as it does vice versa. Try to track where you can improve your health; make sure you’re using effective skin care options, getting consistent exercise to raise your pulse several times a week, and floss those teeth!
Improve your positive relationships
Examine who you are keeping company with. Yes, this is difficult, but if you surround yourself with friends who are bringing you down, they are friends you need. That doesn’t mean you need to cut them out of your life, but explain how you feel when you spend time with them. It might be a wakeup call that they need; sometimes people don’t even realize that they are spreading negativity. Everyone needs to complain from time to time, but if that is all you are doing when you are with a group of friends, evaluate what value that has to your life.
Plan your future
Make a bucket list! Planning an adventure, looking forward to goals, and orchestrating big dreams can be just the ticket to kicking a bad mood to the curb.
If you don’t want to create a written bucket list, consider making a fun dream board with images. You can compile images via Canva.com or similar websites; then, make the images your background to your computer. If you’re struggling with finding fulfillment at work, wishing you had a better relationship, or longing for a furry four-legged friend, a dream board can be a way to look forward to the future, rather than dwelling on negativity
Take care of yourself
Knowing the difference between when you’re grumpy or in a funk, versus being depressed, is important with how you address your mental health. Never belittle how you feel; you would never do that to your best friend, and you should treat yourself with the same respect. Seek help if you need it, but if you’re just trying to get out of a funk try these steps to see if you wake up a little more positive tomorrow.
