Do you ever catch yourself in a funk for no reason at all? Maybe it was caused by a negative event, or maybe your “blah” attitude came out of nowhere. All you know is that you’re in a negative headspace that’s leaving you feeling unmotivated and upset—and nobody wants that.
But, have no fear! Being in a funk isn’t the end of the world. There are lots of steps you can take to get yourself feeling positive and re-energized in no time!
Feel your feelings.
Sometimes, it’s hard to admit we’re struggling, even to ourselves. Many of us tend to bottle up our emotions and push down our problems until eventually they become too big to handle. The first, and most important, step to getting out of a funk is allowing yourself to feel your emotions.
Take some time to sit with yourself. Pick out the things that are making you feel angry, sad, or frustrated. Call out those emotions by writing down what you’re feeling or simply describe how you’re feeling out loud. Do whatever it takes to speak those emotions into existence. As they say, the first step to solving a problem is admitting there’s a problem to begin with.
Sweat it out.
Exercise is just as good for your mental health as it is for your physical health! It’s been proven to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, boost your energy, and more! Working out isn’t one-size-fits-all … so, grab your pre-workout and try out some of these fun options:
- Hiking (check out AllTrails® for some hikes based on ability level)
- Yoga
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding
- Fitness classes (Orangetheory Fitness® tailors their cardio and weight training classes to all fitness levels)
- Barre
- Tai Chi
Find a fitness style you enjoy and allow yourself to enjoy it!
Hang out with friends.
Speaking of having some fun, when was the last time you got together with a group of your friends? As people, we thrive off of human connection. So, if it’s been a while since you’ve scheduled a coffee date or a dinner party, now is the time!
You get bonus points if you have a friend who’s a particularly good listener (we all need someone like this in our lives!). It’s nice to know you have a listening ear around that you trust, especially when you’re going through a rough patch. Oftentimes, a good talk with a great friend is exactly what you need to get your mindset back on track!
Eat.
Ever heard of “hangry?” It’s “hungry” and “angry” combined—and it’s a real thing. Research shows that getting hangry starts when the nutrients in our bloodstream begin to drop (a.k.a., when we get hungry). It stimulates a stress response and hanger is essentially our survival mechanism. The solution? Eat some food!
… Okay, wait. By “eat some food,” we didn’t mean to rush to grab as much pizza, chocolate, and cookies as you can. Instead, go for foods like:
- Fatty fish
- Fermented foods (e.g., kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi)
- Dark chocolate
- Bananas
- Oats
- Berries
- Nuts and seeds
- Coffee
- Beans and lentils
All of these foods have been proven to boost your mood in one way or another. So, if you feel your mood starting to spiral, grab a fork and dig in!
Get out of a funk with confidence!
Bad things happen in life. And sometimes, a bunch of bad things happen all at once, leading to a mood shift that lasts days, weeks, and sometimes even months. However, focusing on getting yourself out of your funk is imperative to facing your troubles with confidence (and clarity).
Now that you’re out of a funk, it’s time to go after your dreams and thrive! Check out our blog on designing your dream lifestyle for more inspiration!
