Feeling Blah? Try These 5 Things to Help
They are always those days where we feel blah, sometimes worse. I view myself as a generally positive person, but there are those moments when I feel like I can’t pull myself out a funk. Sometimes it feels easier to just sit and stew in the blah feeling, but that is rarely the best option. Usually when I feel this way, I resist taking any action because any action seems to take energy and feels overwhelming. However, it’s best to take small steps to help gain some momentum. Here are some steps to take that can really help pull you up and out of a funk.
- Hang Out with a Friend
This seems like an easy obvious tip, but in a weird way, I sometimes don’t want to hang out with anyone when I feel this way. Instead I’ll feel content to just sit and crawl up into my own head, which—spoiler—can make it worse! Whenever I do end up hanging out with a friend, I always find myself feeling better as time goes on. If someone asks to hang, go for it and agree! Sometimes just getting out of the house and laughing with a close friend is the best medicine. If hanging out isn’t an option, give someone you love a call. I know, calling, what old technology! However, now that I have long distance friendships I really see the benefits of calling; just hearing someone’s voice you love at the end of the other line can lift you up.
- Go Outside
This should always be something you should do! I personally always feel so much better when I go outside for a moment. Being outside puts you in touch with your outer world and takes you out of your head. Go for a hike or an outside activity if you like, but you don’t even need to go that far if you don’t want to; just being outside and getting a few breaths of fresh air always feels nice. While outside, be aware of all the sensations you encounter—the wind, the sun, air, the grass under your feet—you’re alive and it’s great!
- Treat Yourself to Something Small
Don’t fly off the handle with a treat yourself binge, but treat yourself to something small you like that makes you feel good. Get a milkshake, have a drink, make your favorite meal, order a pizza. Just a little treat to get you feeling good but not guilty of going on a spending rampage. I sometimes have trouble and go on a ‘treat yourself’ binge for days, but that often adds extra stress in the end (who knew?!). Settle with a nice little treat for yourself and remind yourself that you deserve to be treated from time to time!
- Keep a Gratitude Journal
This is a massive tip that always makes me feel better in the long run. Write five things you’re grateful for, and try and do this every day or at least whenever you’re in this mood. It helps expand your perspective and come from a place of abundance versus scarcity. I always feel in a better mood after realizing I have a lot to be grateful for. Don’t get in the negative mindset of thinking you have nothing to be grateful for or vice versa—feeling down when you have a lot to be grateful for. Just concentrate on writing what you truly are grateful for—could be your friends, your apartment, the concert you just went to, the free coffee you scored today—anything small or big.
- Do a Self-Care Routine You Like
Give yourself a little time and do a self-care routine you like. It could be taking a bath, wearing a new face mask, painting your nails, etc. I personally LOVE taking baths. Whenever I take a bath I feel comforted by the warm water and the bubbles hugging my skin that I always just feel so much better. I feel calm and much more peaceful, and I also feel much more confident about everything I’m stressed about when I’m the bath. Find something that does the same for you and implement this routine whenever you feel a little blue—it’s guaranteed to help!
