Cheer Up, Buttercup!

We all feel down sometimes, but have you ever felt just so sick of feeling that way?! Sometimes, like in the cold, dark winter months, it feels like every conversation is a complaints list. I get frustrated that happiness is so illusive. Emotional numbness is also a common and frustrating problem. If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired then I have some tips for you. They're super simple, easy and totally free. You can do them any time of the day, in any season, for any reason. Amalgamate them into your daily happiness rituals or just use them as and when you feel like it. I promise you will feel at least 5% better. 

Dance Like Nobody's Watching 

Put on some music, turn it up and move around! This can be done indoors or outdoors, with or without headphones, with friends and family or alone. This morning I was feeling down and low energy, so I put on a cheesy Taylor Swift number (Shake It Off, of course!) and jiggled myself around. It had a similar effect to someone grabbing me by the shoulders saying "Wake up! Life is great!" 

According to Healthline, shaking and jiggling yourself about can help the body release tension and stored trauma. In the same way that stretching releases blood flow, dancing can help you literally shake out stress build up in your muscles and nerves. If you have an overstimulated nervous system, it can also help release pent up energy, calming you down a bit.  

Touch Grass

Step outside, no matter what the weather is doing. There's a reason emotional scenes in movies often involve standing in the rain or running through a field in the sunshine. Being out in the world can help us ground ourselves in nature, providing a sense of perspective on our problems. That stressful email seems like a big deal at your desk, but walking in a forest an email seems the least important aspect of this beautiful life. 

Breathing fresh air and standing upright helps us take in more air, too. When we breathe properly, our bodies function better. Deep breaths help us calm down, laughing makes us happier, breathing quickly makes us anxious. So, while you're out there, open your chest to the sky and release your sadness in long breaths. 

Phone a Friend

Talking to someone outside of yourself can provide you with comfort, insight and understanding. When we talk to people about our worries, we strengthen the bond we have with them. You are showing them you trust them and value their opinions. They feel validation in being able to help someone they love. Know that you are never a burden to the people who truly care for you. You should never be made to feel ashamed for being upset. 

Life is like a wheel, always turning - sometimes we are up, sometimes we come down. Either way, we never stay there forever. The wheel will turn and your fortunes will change once more. So, be grateful for the good when it rolls around and wait patiently for the bad to pass when misfortune strikes. 

Distract Yourself 

With games, shows, books, sport, music, crafts, any kind of hobby really! Even better if it's: a) something you're good at or b) something you're learning. That sense of achievement will release those happy hormones you've been dreaming of. 

When we're down, often we don't feel motivated to do these activities. The main thing is just to start. Even if you don't feel like it, set yourself half an hour to an hour to let the thing prove itself as an agent of enjoyment and satisfaction. If you're already feeling low, you really have nothing to lose anyway! 

Make a Gratitude List

Sometimes, the simple act of counting our blessings is all it takes to push us into a better mood. Lately, I've felt cursed with all the bad luck I've been having but when I truly stop and think about the parts of my life I love and enjoy, it doesn't seem so bad. Like the song from the Sound of Music - Favourite Things - if you simply remember your favourite things then you won't feel so bad!

Write a Diary and Let Yourself Cry

As you know by now, I'm a huge advocate of the power of journalling. Those pages are a neutral listener to your innermost authentic thoughts. They hold no judgement. Telling them has no consequences. Minimal effort, maximum impact. 

Often, when we are left alone with our thoughts and can take a deep dive into our emotional health, it feels overwhelming. If you feel like crying - good! Let it out! Don't want to cry in front of others? That's okay, because deep down you know you will always have your own back. You will always be there to comfort yourself. To pick yourself up, dust yourself off. To truly understand what you're going through and pledge to make things better in any way you can. 

I know that not everyone has this level of self-love yet but I hope that one day you will. Writing a diary can help you cultivate a higher sense of self-esteem and self-respect for all that you've been through. It can help you gain a new appreciation for your strength. I will take a deeper dive into this is a future blog post so stay tuned, dear reader. 

I leave you with the sentiment that there is only so low you can fall before you hit rock bottom and from there, the only way left to go is up. My friend told me that when you go to the gym, the weights don't get lighter but you get stronger so it feels easier - the same applies to the challenges we face. There will always be challenges in life but with time and experience, we know better how to navigate them and make the most of the good stuff.