Recently a post called “Depression Tips” has been making the rounds on Facebook. It has a lot of good tips in it, but I prefer to call it “how to get out of a funk.” There is a big difference between true clinical depression and just being in a bit of funk (or bad mood or rut or whatever you want to call it).
Here are some of the tips from the post along with some suggestions I’ve added!
*Facebook post: take a Shower. Shower. Not a bath, a shower.
I prefer a shower myself, but there is also nothing wrong with soaking in a bathtub, especially if it’s filled with good-smelling bubbles.
Some other luxuries to make your bath or shower even better:
Bath pillow
Bath caddy tray
Bath bombs
Aromatherapy stress relief bubble bath
Body wash
Fluffy bath towels
*Facebook post: Moisturize everything. Use whatever lotion you like.
Some good options:
Aveeno lavender stress relief body lotion
OGX coconut & vanilla bean lotion
Cocoa butter lotion
Neutrogena Hydro Boost face moisturizer
Loreal collagen face moisturizer
Burt’s Bees face moisturizer
*Facebook post: Put on clean, comfortable clothes.
Comfortable to me means “soft.” Here are some ideas:
Joggers
Yoga joggers
T-shirts
Long sleeve shirts
Fleece sweatshirt
*Facebook post: Put on your favorite underwear.
You can get creative here – whatever makes you feel good!
*Facebook post: Drink cold water. Use ice. If you want, add some mint or lemon for an extra boost.
We know that water is good for us, but it does get a little boring. Find some waters that make drinking them seem more like a treat. Some favorites:
Lacroix sparkling water
San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water
*Facebook post: Clean something. Doesn’t have to be anything big. Organize one drawer of a desk. Wash five dirty dishes. Do a load of laundry. Scrub the bathroom sink.
I agree that even just a little bit of cleaning or a little bit of organizing can change your whole perspective.
*Facebook post: Blast music.
Find or make some playlists with music that you love. Another option is to use Alexa to play some kind of music you love.
Echo Dot
*Facebook post: Make food. Don’t just grab a granola bar to munch. Take the time and make food . . . Prepare food, it tastes way better, and you’ll feel like you accomplished something.
Amen to that. My newest favorite cookbook is Half Baked Harvest Super Simple.
*Facebook post: Make something. Write a short story or a poem, draw a picture, color a picture, fold origami, crochet or knit, sculpt something out of clay, anything artistic. Even if you don’t think you’re good at it. Create.
I’ve suggested this myself before. It doesn’t have to be award-winning and you don’t even have to share it with anybody else. Just find something you would enjoy creating.
Some options to try:
Hand lettering or calligraphy
Crochet
Origami
*Facebook post: Go outside. Take a walk. Sit in the grass. Look at the clouds. Smell flowers. Put your hands in the dirt and feel the soil against your skin.
This is another suggestion that almost always works for me. Something about being outside and away from whatever (or whoever) is causing stress can do a lot to change your outlook.
*Facebook post: Call someone. Call a loved one, a friend, a family member. . . If you can’t bring yourself to call, text or email or whatever, just have some social interaction with another person.
Great suggestion. Try to make sure it’s a person who will cheer you up or affirm you in some way.
*Facebook post: Cuddle your pets if you have them/can cuddle them. Take pictures of them. Talk to them.
Pets are such a source of joy for many people. If you don’t have a pet, you can always observe animals while you’re outside – birds, rabbits, squirrels. Not snakes (unless that’s your thing!).
There you have it. 12 simple ways to get yourself out of a funk. Please take care of yourself and notice when your “funk” is going on for longer than it should. It may be time to get professional help and not feel guilty about that. This year has been like no other. We need to take care of ourselves and look out for each other.
