This morning I feel compelled to write this post. I don't know why but this topic has been gnawing at me. Today I was awakened by my husband telling me that his radiator on his truck cracked. I'm sure it was due to the below freezing temperatures overnight. So off I went to drive him to work. It's still in the twenties right now and there isn't a cloud in the sky. Then my downstairs heater decides on all days to go on the fritz (fantastic!). I just love the days when it seems the world is crumbling down around you. I stopped, gathered my thoughts, and told myself...it's not the end of the world. As a matter of fact, it's part of life and we'll get through it. We always do.
You might be wondering what the point of my telling you how my morning started is. Well, my point is bad things happen to all of us. That we all get the blues now and then. That sometimes we can really feel like NOTHING is going our way and we'd like to run away. I'm here to say DON'T FRET! It will pass. Here are 10 tips that I have come up with that help me escape from these feelings of nothingness. I don't claim to be an expert on the topic. I would just like to share the things that help me, and maybe they will be useful to you.
1. Prayer - Pray for help. Pray that God gives you the strength and knowledge to get through your trial or feeling of emptiness. Pray that He changes you or the situation you are in, and gives you the wisdom to make the right choices to get you out of your predicament. If people are making you feel blue, pray for them too. Prayer gives hope.
2. Feel Pretty - Sometimes our worst demons come out to play when we are feeling less than perfect in the physical sense. We can start to dwell on the smallest things that people don't even notice (or care about). Take some extra time on what you wear that day. If you don't normally wear make-up, put some on. If you don't usually do your hair, put some curls in it or better yet...go and get it cut and styled. Get your nails done or get that pedicure you've been dreaming about. No better time than now, and I promise it will do something to your self-esteem. You will have that little extra pep in your step.
3. Exercise - Ever notice how right after you exercise you feel elated, your blood is pumping, and you feel accomplished? Yeah sure, you might feel out of breath and sore, but isn't it worth it? Exercise will lift you out of a funk. So instead of lying down or sleeping on the sofa, jump on that treadmill or go for a walk and get some fresh air.
4. Eat Healthy - Maybe you are depressed about your weight. Believe me when I say that the worst thing you can do is stop in at the nearest fast-food restaurant because you are sad. It will only make you feel worse. Instead opt for healthy choices. Don't jump into a fad diet. Just watch how you eat for one day. Make healthy choices instead of fatty ones. Reach for a water instead of a soda. Take a vitamin. After one day, you'll feel good that you stuck with something. Then try it tomorrow. Small steps taken one day at a time.
5. Check Something Off Your To-Do List - Maybe your to-do list is a million miles long and you feel overwhelmed. Pick one thing and finish it. If you feel like you can, do two. You have just made yourself feel less bogged down, and taken care of something that needed to be done. Who doesn't like checking things off their list?
6. Clean or Organize a space in your home - Maybe housework seems endless. Maybe you are looking at that stack of dishes and shouting in your head how unfair everything is, or maybe housework has nothing to do with your problems. If you clean something that is usually overlooked (like baseboards, windows), or you organize an area that is forgotten about (pantry, closet) you'd be surprised at the sense of accomplishment it will bring. It can also get your mind off of a looming problem for a little while.
7. Call a Friend or Family Member - We all get busy and probably don't keep in touch with loved ones as much as we should. Pick up your phone and call that family member you miss, A friend you haven't talked to in a while, or call a person you've been meaning to make amends with. You will feel good that you've taken that extra step. You never know, maybe they need to talk to someone as much as you do.
8. Plan a Trip - Perhaps the simple day-to-day has you feeling blue. A monotonous life can bring even the happiest person down. Take a moment and plan a trip. It can be big or small. Pick a date and request the day off of work. Make a reservation. It will give you something to look forward to and something to work towards. Are you feeling better yet? I know upcoming trips always make me feel good.
9. Buy YOURSELF Something - Sometimes we get so caught up in work and family that we forget that we need to be rewarded for our hard work. Buy yourself that dress you've been eyeballing or those pair of boots you have saved in a cart. Maybe there is a book you've been wanting to read, or a new color lipstick you want to try. It's ok to do things for ourselves.
10. Donate time or money to a Good Cause - Perhaps you don't feel like you give back enough. Maybe you feel selfish. Try looking into a good cause to help out with. Whether it be something at church, in the community, or at work, there is always help needed. Perhaps there is a story in the media about something that is tugging at your heart. Donate some money to the cause. It's a way for you to help, and know that you are making a difference.
So there they are!
10 ways to beat the blues. I'm not saying to do all of these in one day, nor am I saying that these will work on everyone. I know that these help me when I'm in a funk and if this helps at least one person then I've done my job!
These are some great ways to beat the blues! I know if I don't exercise I can get a big case of the blahs!
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