We’ve all been there. You’re going about your day and then — bam! — you have a major case of the blues. Or maybe it’s just a little case, or maybe it’s something else entirely. Either way, we know that feeling down isn’t fun. We also know that sometimes it feels like there’s nothing you can do about it either! But before you get too caught up in your own headspace (which is easy to do when you’re feeling low), here are five tips on how to feel better when you’re feeling down:
Talk to someone
Talking to someone you trust can be a really effective way to help you feel better. If you don’t have anyone you can talk to, try finding a friend or family member who will listen without judging or criticizing. If this doesn’t work, consider talking to a counselor or therapist. If that doesn’t work either, look into getting professional help. If none of those options sound feasible, try talking with someone who has been through a similar situation as yours and feels similar emotions as well. You might not be able to relate directly but knowing that someone else understands how you feel can be very comforting and make things seem more manageable for the both of us!
Be kind to yourself
Stop judging yourself. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop blaming yourself for things you can’t control, or for things that aren’t your fault. Don’t think about what you could have done differently in the past – focus on what is happening now and learn from your mistakes (no one is perfect). Be kind to your body by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep and drinking lots of water. It’s important to take care of our bodies so they can take care of us! Be kind to your mind by giving it some down time every day where you don’t think about anything else besides being present in the moment. Meditation apps are great ways to do this if you’re not sure how else get started!
Get moving
Exercise is a great way to get your mind off of your problems and let go of negative thoughts for a while. It can also help improve your mood, sleep, and energy levels! Even if you don’t feel like exercising, it’s important to try it at least once or twice per week if possible because it has many benefits for mental health (like stress reduction). If you don’t have time for a workout, try doing some stretches or walking around outside in nature—it’s easy enough that anyone can do it! Try something new: There are so many different types of exercises out there which means there is something that will appeal to everyone; whether it be weight lifting at the gym or yoga classes at home…the possibilities are endless!
Set a goal and start working towards it
Let’s face it—feeling down can be a drag. But there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself feel better, and to stay motivated as you try to get back on track. Set a goal and start working towards it. There’s nothing more motivating than having a specific task or project in mind that will let you know when you’ve reached success (or at least made progress). Start small, then build up from there; don’t set your sights too high right off the bat—you’ll just end up feeling defeated if things don’t go perfectly right away. Write down your goal somewhere where you can see it every day; this way, even if those feelings of discouragement come creeping back in around 2am when everyone else is asleep and there’s nothing but darkness outside…your very own written reminder will be there waiting for them! Break down big goals into smaller steps so they seem less overwhelming
Ask for help if you need it
Whether you are feeling down because of a bad day at work, the end of a relationship or an illness, staying in a bad mood can only hurt you. While it is normal to feel down, especially after difficult life events, if these feelings last longer than two weeks or affect your day-to-day life then it may be time to ask for help. If you are feeling down and want some help getting through it ask for advice from good friends who know what’s going on in your life. They might be able to give you some constructive advice on how to get out of this rut without having to go see someone else about it. Consider seeing a counselor if all else fails so that they can evaluate whether medication might help (though we’d recommend trying counseling first).
I hope these tips help you feel more confident and happy in your life. Remember, it’s okay to take time for yourself and be kind to yourself when you need it.
