Suggestions to crank up your spirits when you just don’t feel like yourself

Do you ever have days when you just don’t feel like yourself? You might feel a bit flat or “down,” and you don’t know why?

I presume you’re human and conscious or you wouldn’t be reading this; therefore, the answer to that has got to be a resounding “yes.”

All of us end up there at times. You wade through your day like you’re trying to walk through water, which sounds simple enough to do but isn’t. You try to brush it off but that lingering mood hangs like cobwebs in your brain.

Depending on your personality, others might notice that something is amiss and ask if you’re okay. Especially if you’re usually quite perky or something of an extrovert. If you’re suddenly quiet, everybody thinks there’s something wrong.

You tell them you’re okay because nothing is bothering you in particular. So why the heck do you feel like this?

If there’s no obvious answer, here are nine tips that could help:

1. Journalling

Your flat mood might be due to an unresolved issue that’s trying to get your attention. Or maybe a situation is impacting your life in a way that you haven’t yet figured out.

It can be helpful to grab a journal or a notebook and pen and start writing. No devices for this, please. They block the heart-to-hand flow.

Start writing about how you feel and don’t stop. Even if you get stuck and can’t think of what to say, write that, over and over, “I’m stuck and I don’t know what to say. I’m still stuck. I just can’t think of anything.” Eventually, something will shift and you’ll reconnect with your feelings.

This can be a powerful exercise. It can bring all sorts of insights into your awareness that can help you figure out whatever might have been hanging in the ether, so to speak, and making you feel less than stellar.

2. Spiritual Connection

Spend some time in prayer and/or meditation. A little private spiritual downtime can do wonders to boost your mood and make you smile again. As with the journalling suggestion above, it can also help you to discover and address any issues that might be playing on your mind.

3. Nature Break

Find some trees, a river, a lake, even just some grass and take a walk, sit with your back against a tree trunk, breathe deeply and enjoy a little nature break. Seriously uplifting, I swear!

4. Relaxation

Hot bath, scented candles, soft music. A glass of wine might be tempting to add to this mix, but alcohol is a depressant so that’s not likely going to be helpful. Best to stick to some tea, or a glass of water with a bit of cucumber, mint, lemon, or whatever else lights you up.

5. Hydration

Yup, if you’re “down a quart” it can make you feel listless and a bit “off.”

6. Sleep

Are you tired? Have you been burning the candle at both ends and in the middle? Or maybe just having poor sleep, or not enough sleep, for various reasons? Have a nap, if you can. Even just closing your eyes for 20 minutes on a lunch break can make a world of difference.

7. Find the Feel-Good factor

Find inspiring videos or Ted Talks to watch or read material that lifts your spirits. Watch a favourite comedy show or film, or those dopey animal videos (I promise, I’m not gonna judge you for it! I might even confess to having watched a bunch myself! *Insert awkward, toothy grin here*).

In fact, I dare you to watch these four-ish minutes of BBC brilliance and not laugh…

You could pore over photos of loved ones or fun times, holidays, best memories. Dig out a favourite novel. Spend some time on a long-neglected hobby. Anything that will make you smile, whatever that might be for you.

8. Special treat

Buy yourself some flowers or some other little unusual delight. A meal out, a take-away. Some little thing you’ve been wanting for some time but haven’t allowed yourself to do it — yet. Do it now.

Whatever the treat, if there is something you would do for a friend who is feeling a little out of sorts, you can do it for yourself, too.

9. Kindness

Doing a random act of kindness can do a world of good, especially if it’s done anonymously.

Leave flowers on the doorstep of an elderly neighbour. Drop a cheery greeting card in someone’s mailbox just to say, “You’re fabulous!” Pay for the person behind you at the coffee shop. There’s no end to the possibilities. If you’re stuck, search online for ideas and you’ll find plenty.

If all else fails…

…and you still feel “down” for a while despite these or other efforts, maybe it’s time to dig a little deeper. Have a chat with your doctor or health care provider or a clergyman. Ask trusted friends if they know a good counsellor.

Sometimes feeling like this is just a sign that you’re in transition. You’re leaving behind some old beliefs or patterns and moving into new ones. It might not even be particularly conscious. You just have a sense that something is changing.

As those changes are happening, you might feel an underlying sense of grief. You’re letting go of the past and who you were. You’re stepping into a new you and a new future, even if you’re not sure how it will look.

Maybe you’re just feeling stuck and you have no idea where to begin so you can move forward again.

Everyone feels like this at times. It might just be an occasional, inexplicable blip. It might mean something else is going on. But whatever it is, please remember that this, too, shall pass. And in the meantime, know that you’re not alone.

Spiritual Arts Mentor and Master Teacher, Liberty Forrest, guides you in discovering who you are, why you’re here, and how to follow that path.

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