Life never runs entirely smoothly. Even so, there are times when people get hit with more than their fair share of disappointments. When troubles seem to be mounting up, it can begin to feel like everything you touch goes wrong.
Of course, going through a bad patch does not make you a failure. But it can put you in a low mood. And, if that sinking feeling persists for any length of time, it can be a challenge to pull yourself out of it.
When people get down, they can get into a cycle of negative thinking. The smallest of problems can get blown out of proportion. You might wake up one day and find that your mood has lifted. But, in case you cannot shift the blues, here are ten tips to help you pick yourself up.
The first thing to do when you are trying to cheer yourself up is to take stock of what is making you feel low. Arrange the things that are troubling you into what you can do something about, and what you cannot change.
1. Accept What You Cannot Change
However hard it may be to do so; you must try to accept the items on your list that you cannot change. Accept that you cannot rewind the clock and understand that there are some things over which you have no control. Then, put those items that you cannot control to one side, and focus your efforts on fixing what you can.
2. Get Up, Get Dressed, and Go Out
Even though you may not feel like doing so, getting yourself out of your home will lift your spirits. Getting washed and dressed and getting out into the world again will help you to get your thoughts in order and put things into perspective.
Fresh air and the sights and sound of people bustling around you can have a fantastic effect on your mood when you are down, And the exercise will make you feel a lot better as well. If it is a bit of quiet contemplation that you need, then a walk in a park will get you closer to nature, which can be another excellent mood lifter.
3. Challenge the Negative Thoughts
Some people will tell you to push the negative thoughts out if your mind, but that is not always the best thing to do. If you suppress the negative feelings, they will still be there, nagging to you, at the back of your mind.
When you are experiencing a cycle of negative thoughts, it is often best to confront those feelings. If you think that you’ll never find love again, for example, is that a fact, or is it merely a feeling brought on by your low mood?
4. Confide in Someone You Trust
Talking to someone you trust will help you process your thoughts and get your feelings into perspective. However, it would be wise not to go to anyone expecting to get instant solutions to all your problems.
Talking to someone who cares about you can be extremely helpful, even if you do not talk about how you are feeling. Merely spending time with a loved one may give you a break from your negative feelings and help you feel better about yourself.
5. Look at What You Have to be Grateful About
When you are feeling low, it can seem like everything in your life is awful. The truth is, though, there are always things about which you could and should be grateful. This type of advice can seem a little bit pointless when you have recently lost a loved one or suffered a severe calamity in your life. Even so, if you look hard enough, you will find that there are some good things in your life too.
6. Do Not Be Too Hard on Yourself
A common reason why people feel low is that they are too hard on themselves. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone experiences unpleasant events in their lives. You cannot blame yourself for things that happen that were outside your control. And, if you have made mistakes, then it would be wise to learn how to forgive yourself. No one is perfect. So, be as kind to yourself as you are to others and try to stop berating yourself about the past.
7. Do Something That You Enjoy
Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do when you are feeling down. If you sit around feeling sorry for yourself, your troubles will build up in your mind, and things will only look worse. Even if you do not feel like it, do an activity that you have enjoyed in the past. Once you get started, you will likely find that you enjoy yourself again, and it will help to take your mind off whatever is troubling you.
8. Eat Properly and Get Some Sleep
You may not feel like eating when you are feeling down, and stress and anxiety may cause you to lose sleep. It is crucial, though, that when you are not feeling yourself that you try to stick to your usual sleep patterns, and you get enough to eat. If you do not eat enough, and you are not sleeping, you will get tired, and that will make you feel worse. Everything looks better on a full stomach and after a good night’s sleep.
9. Do Not Expect an Instant Mood Change
If you are feeling very down, it may be some time before you feel yourself again. So, do not expect to wake up one morning feeling full of joy. If you have experienced a loss or a significant setback, it will take you some time to come terms with the situation.
If you cut your finger, the wound will take time to heal. The same is true of the mind when you experience a traumatic event. So, while there are things that you can do to lift your spirit, do not expect the feeling of grief or disappointment to disappear overnight.
10. Seek Help If You Need It
If your low mood persists for a long time, do not be afraid to ask for help. And, if you feel like you may harm yourself, seek assistance immediately. Hopefully, all you are experiencing is a short period of sadness or low esteem. Even so, you do not have to go through it alone.
Conclusion
The above tips will help you get through a period of feeling low. However, if you ever think that you cannot cope, you should seek medical advice. If you are suffering from depression, your family doctor will be able to help you or refer you to someone who can. And remember, it is not a weakness to admit that you do need help.
