We’ve all been there. We’re going through life, happy go lucky then all of a sudden – BLAM!!! Something happens that causes us to derail and things just don’t seem to click anymore. You lack motivation, feel depressed and begin feel your energy draining away. Even worse is the “I don’t give a flying leap!” attitude. So you ask yourself . . . how do I get out of this mood wrecking, life draining setback?
One choice is to just try and deal with it, hoping tomorrow will be a better day. Unfortunately for some of us, it isn’t that easy. A better solution is to come up with a plan that will quickly improve your mood and get you back in the game sooner rather than later, without eating an entire cheesecake (did I say that out loud?). I’ve been there done that and using by following the steps below have found an effect way to help push the blues to the curb.
1. Say Goodbye to the Routine
I’m not saying to quit your job or start drinking again. I’m saying make little changes to your day to day activities. Instead of connecting with friends on Facebook, go for a walk. Instead of going right to bed in the evening, take a bubble bath first with a good book and a cup of chamomile tea. Instead of eating the same old meals for dinner, mix it up with a new, international recipe. Better yet, take up ballroom dancing. Any little change in routine can lift your spirits if it includes something you enjoy.
2. Make Time to Exercise
Exercise is an excellent way of getting past a slump. Exercise stimulates chemicals in the brain, naturally making you feel happier and rejuvenated. Best of all you’ll feel like you’ve done something good for yourself and you’ll look and feel better which will improve not only your attitude but your self esteem.
3. Show the Love
Do something nice for someone else. A random act of kindness not only makes the receiver feel cared for and special, giving will make you feel better about yourself. It could be as simple as complimenting a stranger, volunteering for a good cause or even making a donation to a charity. Giving can take your mind off of yourself and your problems and improve the lives of those you touch.
4. Clear the Clutter
Mental clutter is one of the main reasons people fall into a rut. It causes you to put off doing the things you don’t want to do, or have fallen behind on, like getting your tax paperwork ready in time, servicing your car, sending that important email or calling someone you’d rather not deal with. The more you procrastinate the farther behind you’ll get and the stress just keeps on building; consciously and unconsciously. You don’t have to jump in and try to take care of everything at once; just write them down on a “Things To Do” list and cross each task off as you complete them. Writing your tasks down puts them in perspective and you’ll more than likely find the mental clutter you’ve been dealing is easy to control and eliminate.
5. Pattern Interrupt
Occasionally a slump can be caused by stress connected to one specific task or project. These can take over your thoughts, making it feel impossible get out of your mind, eventually building into a fear that isn’t even reality. When this happens, put the task or problem aside for awhile whether it’s days or just hours. Get up and walk away for awhile, do some jumping jacks or stretches or simply move on to another, more enjoyable task. You’ll be surprised by how much better you’ll feel when you step away for a bit and will be able to get back to the task at hand with a fresh new mindset.
These steps aren’t complicated and are so easy to follow that anyone can turn them into happy habits to live with. They worked well for me and I know they’ll work for you.
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