A reader posed this question and I have some suggestions to help them out.
Question: Why am I always sad and can't seem to pull out of it? Answer: First and foremost, if things start looking too bleak, please call the national suicide prevention hotline: 800-273-8255. Secondly, please contact somebody for your mental health. It can be a counselor for talk therapy, a doctor for medication, or both. I know many people don't like the idea of taking medication to feel better, but there is no shame in doing so. Even if you take medication to get over the initial hump, and then work with your doctor on weaning off - if you need that help to get over your immediate state, do it. Okay! Now, let's assume the sadness is simply a general sadness that doesn't warrant the two options above. Here are some ways I have dealt with sadness of my own, and hopefully they will work for you too! 1. Move your body! This doesn't have to be like everybody else's advice. Dance! Stretch! Challenge yourself some way, somehow to move. It's even great if it's pulling weeds, gardening, cleaning, organizing... whatever! Just. Move. 2. Commit to Dump Pages. I wish I could take credit for this one, but alas, I can't. In "The Artist's Way", by Julia Cameron, she calls them, "Morning Pages". You just sit down with pen and paper and write for 30 minutes. If you don't know what to write about, write, "I don't know what to say." You will be amazed what what comes out onto that paper. Just the act of getting it out can work wonders - and many times you will also come up with a solution to help you feel better. Sometimes this works right away, but other times it needs to be a daily thing. The earlier in the day the better; but don't not do it because it's late. Even if you commit yourself to 7 days of writing in your dump pages, I am sure you will make good progress. 3. Are you drinking enough water? Eating good (healthy) food? They are starting to find out that are moods are linked to our gut health. There's a whole microbiome in there and when it's not it the best of shape, it can interfere with your mood. Weird, right? Produce and water are your best friends here. And farts. Farts will become your best friend too. LOL! 4. Clean and/or organize. This is a big one for me, personally. If my surroundings aren't in good shape, neither is my train of thought. Set a timer for 10 minutes, and wipe things down, throw things away, and put things where they belong. You'll be amazed how much you can get done in 10 minutes! Plus you'll be moving your body. ;) Those are my tried and true methods that pull me out of a funk. If you're looking for more, check out, "21 Days to Happy"!
