Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Not just a Bobby McFerrin song title it’s a pretty simple statement.  Although, not always so easy to live by.

It’s not uncommon for people to feel a little down from time to time and even depressed. These low feelings affect how we function they can interfere with our goals, work and family life. Negative feelings and moods are contagious as well. If you’re down you’re likely to negatively impact those around you. 

Whether you’re stuck in a rut, affected by the weather or just generally feeling bad about yourself there are things you can do that may help you get back on track. Here are a few things that help me when I’m feeling a little down in the dumps.

1. Hit the ground running. When you’re stuck in a rut it’s difficult to feel motivated to do well…anything. Even getting out of bed some days seems like a monumental effort. If I’ve been feeling down for a couple of days and I know that I need to snap out of it, to get in the right frame of mind for that day, I find it’s best to wake up, make the bed and hit the showers! Starting your day all ready to go is amazing! Already you’re ahead of the game. You’re not sitting there all day in your pajamas wondering what to do next, you’re ready for action!
2. Write it down. Making a list of things you want to accomplish provides you with direction and adds meaning and purpose to your day. Whether there are 2 or 10 things on your list at the very least there is something written down in front of you so you can refer to it when you’re thinking “well…now what?”
3. Get moving. The last thing I want to do when I’m feeling down or depressed is move, let alone exercise. But what I have found over the years is that this is one sure fire way to getting back on track to my happier self. Getting up and moving, taking the dogs for a walk with the kids, strolling around the park, dancing to some great music (ABBA is all I need ), it doesn’t have to be long or strenuous but you do need to move!
4. Get out. There is a tendency for us to hide and become reclusive when we’re feeling a little low. We have no desire to get out and be around people – we don’t want to put on that happy face. But sitting at home alone in your living room watching TV isn’t really helping either. Getting out in the sunshine and breathing some fresh air can open your mind and begin to let in positive thoughts.
5. Talk. Confiding in someone you trust whether it be your wife, husband, sister, brother, mother, father, close friend or co-worker can help you get issues off your chest. Sometimes talking about things that are bothering me help me gain perspective and that can quickly turn a negative feeling around.
6. Be grateful. Expressing gratitude for what you have can improve your mood. Simply by taking stock of the good things that life has to offer can often make your current situation seem not so bad. Things that I’m most grateful for are my health, my family and my mind. Without any one of those I couldn’t get through each day. Not taking any of those things for granted can slowly turn around a down day.
7. Live in the present moment. Sometimes we find ourselves dwelling over things we’ve done in the past or what we still need to do in the future. Both are really unproductive and can add to and lengthen a bad mood. Living in the present moment helps me to enjoy what’s here now. I think we’re often too hard on ourselves for things we’ve done in the past. In hind sight it’s easy to see where we screwed up and where we possibly could have made things better. But most of us do the best we can with what we know at the time. It’s done it’s over so stop dwelling, choose to forgive yourself (it is a choice not just some feeling that washes over you), learn from it and move on. 

It’s normal to feel down now and again and we’re all entitled to be a little bit grumpy. It’s when we’re stuck in that rut and need a kick in the pants that it helps to have an action plan. What do you do to get yourself out of the dumps? What one thing is your sure fire bad mood buster? I’d love to hear it!

Feeling a little down or stuck in a rut is one thing, but depression, on the other hand, is a serious issue and not one to be dismissed or taken lightly. If you think you or someone you love is depressed I urge you to seek medical advice.

Photo courtesty of : .sandhu