In life, there will be days when you don’t feel your best. There will be times when you won’t feel productive or confident about yourself, when you won’t feel like getting out of bed, or when you won’t be in the mood to do anything at all. And that is completely okay. It is human nature not to feel 100% all the time. After all, life is not perfect, and there will be times when things get too much to handle.
Whatever reason it is for your lack of energy and motivation, remember that you can always do something about it. Here are some ways to practice self-care when you’re feeling low-spirited.
- Watch Your Favorite Movie or TV Show
Feeling down? Quickly turn that mood around with your favorite movie or TV show. Sometimes, we tend to take life too seriously that we forget to slow down and find ways to relax. When you’re feeling down, make time to take a break, slip under your blanket, and watch the content you’ve always loved. Make sure to pick something light and funny because sometimes, you just need a reminder that sadness is temporary, and there is so much to love about life.
- Go Shopping
Shopping is always an exciting experience. Whether you’re shopping at the mall or online, or shopping for yourself or a loved one, there is always that thrill associated with a new purchase. Invest in things you can use for self-care, like a comfy pair of pajamas, cozy bed sheets, or a weighted blanket. You might even want to look into getting antimicrobial socks that you can use at home to keep your feet warm. Imbued with antimicrobial properties, these socks can give your feet that fuzzy comfort they need while keeping odors at bay.
- Try Something New
Caring for oneself also means being willing to try new things or learn something new. When you’re feeling down, think of all the things that you have been wanting to try but have not had the time to—and finally give it a shot. It could be anything, like painting, trying out a new recipe, or even redecorating your room. You can also start with something simple, something that you can easily incorporate into your day and will not take too much of your time. Turn a bad day around by doing things you know you’ll enjoy.
- Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is an important part of one’s overall well-being. Without proper sleep, there is no way you could function to your fullest capacity. Your mood, disposition, and judgment will all be negatively affected. Even the way you behave around others and how you respond to things can change. Needless to say, getting enough and proper sleep is an essential element in self-care. Most of the time, the cure for feeling down is just a full night’s worth of sleep.
- Eat Healthy Food
Food has always been an effective mood booster. Studies have shown that certain foods and nutrients have a positive impact on mood, attention, and energy. For example, foods high in protein have been found to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These are hormones that regulate mood, concentration, and motivation. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and beans have been linked to higher levels of serotonin or the “happy hormone.”
- Chill Out with Relaxing Music
Whenever things get too overwhelming, listening to music that calms you is always a good idea. It has been known that certain kinds of music contribute positively to mood, can sooth away tension, and help people fall asleep faster. Music has also been found to reduce stress hormone levels. Just be mindful about the music you play, because some kinds of music can do exactly the opposite.
- Get Moving
When you’re feeling down, try and get moving. Go for a run, dance, or enjoy a round of golf~ sweat it out. Exercise produces endorphins and serotonin, which are hormones responsible for boosting one’s mood and uplifting one’s spirits. These hormones are literally what makes you feel happy, and the more of these hormones you produce, the happier you will feel.
- Let it Out
Whatever it is that makes you feel down, consider letting it out. Talk to a friend, write it down in a journal, or record it on your phone. Regardless of how you want to do it, what matters is that you are honest about your feelings, so you can accept them wholeheartedly and work towards a resolution. Transform these negative feelings into words so you can let the bad energy flow out of your system. Just be careful not to dwell on them for a long time, as this could cause you to overthink things more.
While there are things that may be beyond your control, always remember that there are also simple and actionable things you can do to uplift your spirit on your bad days. Try out the things above today, and you might just be surprised at how much they’ll help.
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