When it comes to mental health, nobody feels 100%, 100% of the time.
We can go through phases or periods where life just feels like it’s getting on top of us a little more than usual.
What’s important is to remember that it is perfectly normal to be feeling blue sometimes.
Don’t demonize yourself, or isolate yourself from friends and family when you have one of those feeling blue moments.
Instead, allow yourself to feel, and take the steps necessary to get back on track.
If you’re feeling a little in the dark, we’re here to help.
Below we’ve listed some handy ways to get you feeling better when you’re feeling blue.
1. Use Self-Care Assistance
Self-care is something that is often talked about in the current climate, however, it’s often framed as fun and gentle activities, designed to give yourself a little bit of kindness when you’re feeling blue or down.
These could include taking a bubble bath, baking cookies, or just spending the day in bed.
Now, whilst these are all absolutely viable choices, we’re talking about the other kind of self-care, the kind that’s designed to actively help your situation, rather than softening the feeling.
Being proactive helps, so these are the things you can do right away.
Start Journaling
Journaling is so much more than just writing out your thoughts.
Through a journal or diary, you can notice patterns in your lifestyle that could be contributing to you feeling blue.
It can also help you find ways to support yourself, forgive yourself and help yourself move forward.
Purchasing a 2023 diary for the incoming year could be a great way to kick things off.
The diary can be used in a variety of ways, firstly to keep track of your important dates and appointments, so that you don’t isolate yourself and lose count of where you’re meant to be.
It can also be used to give yourself gentle reminders, and congratulate yourself for getting through the month, the week, or even just the day.
Every step counts.
Tidy Up
Another activity often associated with this kind of self-care can include cleaning out your space.
When we start to feel blue, our home, or even just our room is the first place to reflect that.
Give yourself enough time, enlist a friend’s help if you need to, and clean it up.
Do it slowly, mindfully, and try to be in the moment.
It might not feel as soft and gentle, and a bubble bath may sound more enticing, but this will make you feel so much better in the long run.
To lift your mood up after your room or home is clean, light up a cheerfully smelling candle or turn up the diffuser.
Let some fresh air in by opening a window.
Thank yourself for doing something to help yourself in this situation!
2. Seek Professional Help
While our friends and family are fantastic and always there to lend an ear, or a helping hand, sometimes a little bit of assistance from a professional may be just what you need.
If your whole world seems to be a constant shade of grey, and you’re finding it harder and harder to feel better in between darker moments, having the support of a psychologist or psychiatrist could make everything feel so much easier.
Mental health professionals are there to assist you when you’re feeling blue and they’re ready to arm you with tips and tricks to ensure that you can better handle the situation. This can mean that your battles feel less like a huge fight, and you’re better equipped to get through them in the future.
3. Let It Out
Have you ever heard somebody say “it’s not good to keep it all bottled up”?
Far from just a cliche phrase, this saying has merit to it.
Sometimes, you just have to let yourself cry.
Grab a pet, a soft toy, or just a really cozy blanket, and let it all out.
Rest assured that you don’t have to sit and think about all the bad moments in order to get those tears falling.
Sometimes a really sappy movie is all we need to really get everything flowing.
Crying it out can actually be incredibly cathartic and help you move forward without feeling as though you have a giant crying baby inside.
4. Practice Soft Self-Care
Okay, now it’s time for the soft and gooey kind of self-care.
Because, sometimes when you’re feeling blue, you really just need to be kind to yourself.
This is the kind of self-care that feels fantastic in the moment and can really boost your mood.
Pop on your favorite movie or tv show, grab some sweet, or salty treats, and just enjoy your day.
Often, in the fast-paced world we live in, we’re all so determined to move forward, be productive, and not waste a second.
But it’s okay to really just take a break and be kind to yourself in an indulgent way.
Eating a packet of TimTams while you cry to Love Actually may not seem like it’ll do much for your mental well-being.
However, it may just be that reset you need from everything you’ve been going through.
Alternatively, it may give you the strength to get through all the not-so-nice self-care you have to do once the credits roll.
Get comfy and remember that you deserve to have a moment of rest.
These are a few gentle ways to get you feeling back on track. The number one thing you need to remember is that you’re not alone.
Everybody has their struggles and you’re not any less of a person for having them yourself.
Take it slowly, and ensure that you’re striking the right balance of necessary, and gentle self-care.
"We love to research problems, examine studies, analyze solutions, and share with you ideas that make life healthier. You can learn about us and our editorial standards here. Have suggestions or feedback to share? Send us a message!."
Leave a Comment