How to Pickup Yourself When You’re Feeling Down

No matter who you are, from time to time all of us feel a little down. It could come in the form of a mild feeling of being overwhelmed, angry, or even feeling insufficient. Whatever it is, always keep in mind that this a very normal part of the life process for all of us here on earth. There can be many reasons for you to feel this way depending on the circumstances of your life. And they are all valid and need to be taken care of in a mindful manner. 

When these feelings prolong and become a regular part of your thinking pattern, it can often interfere with achieving your goals which of course leads to further stress and maybe even being depressed. Acknowledging these feelings earlier on and taking action (or non-action) is very important to help you deal with it in a healthier way. I must admit that personally, this is one of the hardest things for me in my life. I’m working on it just like you are. Below are some of the things that have helped me find balance and remain resilient (mostly) during difficult times like these.

So what can you do if you’re feeling down?

1. Note it down

Quiet often we find ourselves stressing out over all the things we have to do. It is very helpful to note down the things you need to complete early on as this will save you further energy and stress wasted on remembering all the things you need to do. This will put things into perspective a little more and get you in the mood to start the work needed.

2. Get started

This is something I always advise. You’ve got to start as no amount of knowledge or planning will be of any help unless you do something about it. Starting small is an easy way to get started. For instance, I have been procrastinating writing this post for so long (Yes, more than 2 weeks). But now that I have started, I am more confident that I can finish it off and I am feeling a lot better.

3. Move your body

I know this is a tough one, especially considering that you’re feeling down. I truly understand this feeling, but please give it a try. It does not need to be a hard workout, any sort of body movement can help release that negative energy. I love doing Ashtanga yoga flows. It can be a jog, a walk, a swim, or even dancing.

4. Take a shower and dress well

Yes, being depressed and bedridden in your undies may sound like the best idea to escape what you’re feeling. But trust me that’s not going to help you. Instead, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, grooming your hair and beard, and feeling clean and fresh can immediately boost your mood.

5. Eat something healthy

It’s very easy to eat junk food in bed when you’re feeling down, but this is just going to make things worse. Instead, eat something fresh and alive to feel more nourished and light. You can’t expect to feel good with an upset belly.

6. Play some music

Whatever your favorite groove is, play it out and move to it. No one’s watching, live in the beat if it makes you feel better.

7. Meditate

Yes, this is still what works best for me. It just makes a lot of sense to observe your thoughts without being involved, especially during times when your thoughts are all over the place. This is something that can help you immensely to recognize your thoughts for just what it is.

There are a lot more things you can do to uplift your mood when you’re feeling down. And it’s also very easy to go back to that feeling again. Whenever you go back to the low mood, do something out of the above or even different. Something that works for you. Just don’t let yourself dwell in it for too long. Take action and keep doing your best. You got this!