Shake it Off! - Ideas to Help You Get Rid of the Blues

Have you ever had a day where you could swear you have replaced Grumpy as one of the seven dwarfs? Gotten up on the wrong side of the bed a little too often lately? It happens to all of us. Having the blues during the day can impact your entire outlook, and set a bad script for all of your interactions. Having some ideas handy to try and shake off the blues can be a lifesaver.

The basic rule for trying to ditch the blues is to TRY! You get what you give, and sometimes we just want to enjoy our grouchiness. So if that's the case, go ahead and embrace the grumps. It's okay to feel like that, and okay to want to sit in it for a while. However, for anyone else who wants to give their day a jumpstart, there are some tips that will help you do so. Having these simple ideas in the back of your mind will help you to practice them without to much effort.

Acknowledge the Feelings: Take some time to realize what your state of mind is, and then take the time to process it. Without knowing how you feel or why, you can't effectively manage these feelings.

Validate your Feelings: Remind yourself that it s okay to feel any way that you feel. You are a normal human, with normal, fluctuating feelings.

Wallow: Give yourself permission to experience and wallow in your mood for an allotted amount of time (for example, 5 minutes). After that, give yourself permission to be happy.

Get Moving: Try to incorporate some movement into your day. Although the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising, even some small activity will help. Endorphins help us to kick the blues a bit faster. Also, physical activity may make you shift your concept of yourself and your surroundings.

Try Smiling: Again, this may not be on the top of your list when you are feeling down, but research has proven that smiling can lead you toward actually feeling happier. The old "fake it 'till you make it" thought does actually have some validity!

Listen to Upbeat Music: We are very easily influenced by our surroundings. By listening to upbeat tunes, we begin to shift our feelings and concepts a bit. The influence of the music boosts our morale, and gives us a bit more energy.

Talk to a Friend: Call or meet up with a friend, even if it is only for a few minutes. Try not to commiserate; that will only make you feel worse. Try to borrow some of your friend's mood. Let friends and loved ones know you need a boost. Accept the help and support the offer.

Journal about the Good: Take a minute to journal or write down five positive things in your life right now. This helps alter your perspective, and gives you something to be grateful for. Identifying the positive helps distract your mind from revisiting the negative.

"Commit" a Random Act of Kindness: Sometimes we get too wrapped up in our own life and situation, and forget how we can make an impact on others- both good and bad. Take a minute of your time to commit a random act of kindness. This doesn't cost money, only your time. Pay a genuine compliment to someone you don't know, or someone that you think is difficult. Share your umbrella with someone on the street. Give up your seat on the train for another. A single act of kindness will help reshape your own outlook, and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. (Also, don't expect anything back- not even a "thank you". That way, if you don't get one, you won't be disappointed. Do the act of kindness for yourself alone.)

These strategies, and many of your own, will help you to climb out of the dumps, and into better living!

(More severe blues may be indicative of a more serious issue. If you are unable to alter your mood over a period of time, you may need to speak to your physician or health care provider.)