3 Ways to Get Out of Your Funk

With the winter season coming on and the days becoming shorter, it is easy to become depressed or feel the seasonal funk. Sometimes, its a temporary feeling whereas others are more long-lasting. We can feel isolated, bored, unmotivated and uninterested in normal day activities. And that's Okay! This is normal and it happens to everyone. Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions we can put into action to boost our mood and activity.

1.Laughter

The popular saying "Laughter is the Best Medicine," is so true! I have found that whenever I felt down or even depressed, laughter boosted my mood greatly. The more I laughed, the better I felt and the longer my mood was boosted! According to the Newport Academy article titled Why Laughter is Good for Mental Health, "laughter releases physical and emotional tension, elevates mood, enhances cognitive functioning, and increases friendliness."

You could watch a comedy show, find skits on YouTube, watch videos on TikTok, enjoy a funny movie, or just talk to your friends. You could even get yourself to laugh by making silly videos or even acting silly. I was impressed at how much my mood has been boosted since posting my silly videos to TikTok. Thus, Let yourself laugh and have fun! It's time that you enjoyed these benefits.

2.Be Spontaneous

Having a routine and being disciplined is immensely important! It helps you to stay on track with meeting your goals. However, it is also important that you take care of yourself by having some fun. A great way to do this, is to be spontaneous.

Go on a drive and blast your music, order pizza and watch Star Wars in your unicorn pajamas, dance like no one is watching, make a funny video and send it to your friends etc. The only limit is your imagination. As I have done this, I realized that this is the best way to really enjoy life, especially during a worldwide pandemic. It it thrilling to do something new and different from your daily routine. In this way, it can boost your mood.

3.Get Motivated

It is already tough to get motivated with all the distractions we have now and it be can be even more-so difficult when you have been hit with the blues. In a way, we have to force ourselves to get motivated; because there is no time like the present.

If you are in this position right now, try waking up early, getting ready for the day and forcing yourself to stay away from your bed and couch. You will be amazed at how much you get done in the day. When you are feeling blue, being productive is the last thing you want to do, but that's why you need to do it. Start small with your goals and then work up to them. Let your first goal be so small that it will feel like nothing. For instance, have one goal for the day such as, "Today, I will unload the dish washer." This will help you to not just unload the dishwasher but to then load it and to even clean the kitchen. It is a simple mind trick. Once you have achieved that, set another goal. Then work up to bigger goals such as,"Today, I will film my first YouTube video," or "Today, I will write the first 2 pages of my 5 page essay." I use this method a lot and it has helped me greatly!

My friends, getting out of your funk is not an easy task, but with these simple tricks you can boost your mood greatly! You deserve to be happy. Allow yourself to laugh, be spontaneous and get motivated. There are sunny days to come! Make each day better than the last. And always know that you are loved and cared for!