How to Shake the Blues

It does not matter what kind of lifestyle you have, anyone can wake up one morning just feeling down about life with a touch of the blues. It could be about your finances, or lack of, or maybe you had an argument with your significant other the night before. There are many reasons that people wake up feeling a touch depressed and blue about their current situation. When you wake up like this all you want to do is shake it off and move on. So here are a few tips on how to shake those blues and get on with your day.

Get Ready for the Day- When you are feeling a touch of the morning blues it's a great idea to just go ahead and get ready for the day. I don't mean just changing your pajamas and putting on cleaner pajamas. I mean get up and get dressed like you are leaving the house for a day out. It doesn't matter that you aren't going out just as long as you act like you are. Go shower, shave, dress in a nice outfit, fix your hair, put on your favorite perfume or cologne and (for the ladies) do your makeup. Just doing these things will make you feel better about yourself, the situation you are dealing with and maybe even start breaking down those blues. You may even feel that you shouldn't waste such a nice looking YOU and you'll do the next item on the list to shake the blues..........

Go Out- Now that you are showered, dressed and ready to go, go out! Call a friend and meet them for lunch. Or just have a nice chat over the phone about your blues and what they might suggest for dealing with your problem. Go out and run a few errands that you have been meaning to get to. Just run by your favorite book store for a cup of coffee and some leisurely browsing through the non-fiction section. You don't have to go out with a place in mind. Just go! A little time out in public will do you some good. You may even see an old friend who is out doing the same thing, trying to shake the blues.

Exercise- Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. So why do so many people forego any physical activities all together? When you exercise your body naturally gives off endorphines that make you feel good. It's a natural mood booster. While exercise is important everyday, it is especially important when you are feeling the effects of the blues. Getting as few as thirty minutes of exercise time will boost your mood for a good part of the day and chase away those blues.

Make a List- When you are dealing with a dose of the blues, because of a situation out of your control, it is a good idea to sit down and write things down. Make out a list of pros and cons surrounding the situation and work through your feelings about that situation. Making a list will help you see the reality of the situation a lot easier than if you just think about it all day. A lot of times we make things seem worse than they really are. When you write it all down you can see where you may be blowing things out of proportion and where you have the right idea about other things. Once you have completed your list you will have a better idea of how to handle your current situation and you will have chipped away at your blues a little more.

Eat Something Sweet- We all know that sugar can increase your mood, even if only for a little while. Of course, you shouldn't go and eat a whole quart of cookies 'n cream. Just go with a serving size, wait a few minutes and see how you feel. Sometimes a small amount of sugar will be enough to boost your mood and improve your outlook on the day and the situation at hand. Kick those blues out the door with a good dose of sugar.

In the end, it doesn't really matter what you do to improve your mood as long as you do something besides sitting in your pajamas and wallowing in self-doubt. Only you can change your mood and your circumstances. You have to be in charge of your own happiness because no one else can do it for you. Shake off those blues. Get outside for a little sunshine, talk to your best friend, laugh at a new movie, go for a jog and lastly eat something sweet. Whatever you do just enjoy doing it and you'll kick those blues as quickly as they appeared.