3 Unusual Tricks to Use For Fighting a Funk and Feeling Better

Meditating is not one of them.

Are you ever in a terrible, no good, very bad mood? If you’re human, I imagine the answer is yes. If not, you’re not a human. You’re some kind of alien from outer space or something, I don’t know.

The problem is, sometimes we just don’t have time to be in a funk. We still have a day to go about, jobs to do, families to tend to, chores to get done.

I don’t know about you but there are times when my funk means I feel like I literally cannot do anything. I just lie in bed listening to my alarm clock, thinking there is no way in this world I can move from this bed. I just stare at my blank computer screen thinking, I cannot possibly think enough to actually write anything decent down.

Some days, like yesterday, I wake up feeling quite yucky. Sometimes for reasons that I can put my finger right on and other times, I have no clue what my problem is. The brain is a very weird, sometimes annoying, thing.

I used to slowly, very slowly, drag myself through the day until I could finally lay my head down again. Usually, when I search google for articles on making a bad day good or bounce back from a funk, I always come across the stuff we already know: meditate, exercise, find gratitude. This is great advice and I try to do these things regularly. But, these are the hardest things to do when you’re especially down in the dumps.

So after years of working towards becoming a less anxious, more happy human, I’ve got my perfect recipe. Here it is: cry, talk to myself, shower.

Cry. A lot.

The other day, I was having a day. Actually, it had been a week. 2020 isn’t on our side, we know this. The chaos, uncertainty, and heartbreak became too much. I unhappily woke up, taught my online classes in a terrible mood, then let it all out. I put my face in my hands and just cried. When I was done crying, I started writing about what I was sad about. This helped me cry some more.

We’re told to think about what is good, what we’re thankful for, to lift us up. But, there’s something about acknowledging everything that’s bad, letting it exist as a real thing, then sobbing about it until your eyes are swollen that really helps. It’s like it becomes so alive, then all the way (or almost all the way) released from existence through puddles of tears.

Talk to yourself. Let it all out.

I feel a little crazy saying this out loud, that I do this. But, whatever. It helps. Try it, you’ll see. While I’m crying, or maybe if I don’t have the time or space yet to do the crying part, I just talk to myself.

You know how sometimes talking to a friend aloud, venting, just really helps get things off your chest? Well, for me, I don’t always like to talk about my problems to others. Or sometimes, there’s no one available to listen. But you’re always available for yourself. Be there for yourself. Say the things a friend would say to you. Be your own best friend.

I tell myself what’s bothering me. Or that I have no clue what’s bothering me. I tell myself that those things suck. I give validation to all that’s wrong. I tell myself why those things suck. I tell myself that those things won’t be issues tomorrow or maybe longer, but eventually those things won’t matter. The problems and bad emotions are not permanent. Sometimes we need a friend or a spouse or a therapist to tell us it’s all okay and validate what we’re feeling. Being there for myself, being that person for me, makes me feel strong and loved.

Take a long shower. An extremely long one.

Earlier I was saying how meditating and exercising, while proven top-notch mood boosters, can feel almost impossible to do when you feel like doing nothing. But, standing under a nice, warm shower takes pretty much no effort.

About a month ago, I was in an atrocious mood. I was feeling ill and my boyfriend was trying to be such a peach and help. But, he couldn’t. No amount of wine or puppies could take my discomfort away. So, I got extremely irritated. I didn’t want to be around anyone. But, we are in quarantine (thanks, COVID) so I couldn’t go anywhere.

I could’ve gone for a walk but remember exercise is impossible when I’m in this kind of mood. So, I stood in the shower for about 45 minutes. While there, I did the 2 prior items on this list. I cried and I talked to myself. Who even knows what thoughts were going through my boyfriend’s mind during this episode. He always tells me “you do you” and that’s what I did. Then, I returned to the living room as a slightly more pleasant person.

Here’s the thing: bad moods are inevitable. Life can’t always be sunshine and rainbows even though that would be splendid. But, life goes on. Maybe, you’re not quite into my mood-boosting recipe. That’s okay. There’s no formula for life. We have to do what works for us to help us get through.

Many of us face hard times in silence. Mental health can be extremely difficult to discuss. We see social media and are sometimes convinced that everyone else is out there having the time of their life. They aren’t. Unless, of course, they’re an alien from outer space.

I may be crying a river. Your highschool crush might be living it up with no ailments, according to social media. But, you do you. Do what works for you to get into a headspace which leads to productivity, peace, and love.

A few other get happy go-to’s for me are lay with my dog, take a nap, enjoy my favorite snack, get outside, journal, meditate (if that feels like too much work, a few deep breaths works wonders).

Best. Shirt. Ever.

This world is full of hope. Let’s begin to proceed with it.