10 Things To Do: When Feeling Down

With Blue Monday just around the corner it’s perfectly normal to feel down. And even with the fresh start of a new year and holiday festivities taking the edge off of things, a slight slump can easily nose dive. When you’re feeling low you need quick, achievable, permanent solutions to help bring you back up again.

As a Stay At Home Mum my budget is limited and so, I’ve tried to list solutions that are not reliant on a vast sum of money or the ability to drive/have access to a car.

1) Make A Change

  • Clear out. Make physical space in order to clear your mind
  • Deep clean. Much like the above a good clean can also cleanse the soul
  • Rearrange; sometimes the monotony of the same four walls, is enough to kill your drive. Especially at this time of year when it is easy to become stuck indoors for long periods of time. Move your favourite armchair to another side of the room to give yourself a new perspective.

2) Have A Side Hustle

Sometimes what makes us feel hopeless is the inability to afford to make the changes we feel we need in order to ‘get out’ of the groove we’re stuck in. Finding a way to up your income without having to go out and get a second job is key, but how?

  • Ebay: If you’ve managed to have a good clear out, why not see if there’s anything in your ‘get’rid’ pile that you could ebay or at the very least have someone take off your hands for free, without having to pay to have it disposed of!
  • Market Research  : A great way to get a quick cash injection. This can be done either by participating in research groups or by completing online surveys and/or tasks. The amounts that you can earn can vary from £1 for a survey to £100 for participating in a 2 hour research group. It’s also a great way to get out of the house and meet other people.

3) Treat Yourself

This needn’t be a costly affair. I often look through my vouchers, coupons and points cards for free money to treat myself. This past weekend despite being broken by Christmas I managed to get

  • A free Coffee using my Costa Card
  • A free nail polish using my Boots Card
  • A cute and brightly coloured writing pad and matching pen using a £4 Tesco coupon from my points card
  • Plan a family weekend by realising we still hadn’t redeemed a voucher Theon had gotten for his birthday

4) Take Some Time Out

Go and have a Bath and/or Shower. During low periods I often find that it’s easy to forget myself and even basic needs such as having a shower. Try to be mindful and actively take or even demand time to take for yourself.

5) Visualise

  • List what you feel you need to get out of the funk you’re in
  • Plan a way to work through your list. Prioritise your list, not by what you need the most, but by which jobs/needs are immediately achievable/attainable. Being able to physically tick off activities can be immensely satisfying and a great boost
  • Book a holiday, a day out, a meet up. Just commit to a future engagement, something to look ahead to and help you moving forward

6) Improve Your Health

  • Get out: Go for a walk, book a family swim session
  • Get moving: Take a Dance or Yoga class at your gym or simply search for a session to follow online, using Youtube
  • Eat Green: Leafy greens generally are packed with vitamins and fiber but, certain green veg like Lettuce are also proven to be mood stimulants, that can give you an instant pick-me-up.

7) Get Creative

Making something can be hugely satisfying and therapeutic. Don’t worry about how good what you make is. Focus on the achievement of completing the tasks and having the ability to create. The fact of the matter is most people (even if they can do better than you) don’t. So, just have a go:

  • Craft
  • Write
  • Paint
  • Cook

8) Increase your Oxygen Levels

  • Sing as loud as you can, to your favourite songs, the radio or try an inspirational musical like Hamilton or The Greatest Showman
  • Scream: Primal Scream Therapy is actually a great way to relieve stress and frustration. Literally get how you’re feeling off your chest!
  • Deep Breaths: In through the nose and out through your mouth. There are lots of different free apps that are great for aiding with this

9) Share

“A problem shared is a problem halved.”

-It’s not a cliche, it’s sound advice!

Sometimes saying how you feel out loud, gives your feelings a physical form, making them tangible and something you are able to tackle:

  • Talk to a friend or family member 
  • Join a group, one of the reasons I blog, is because of the forum it gives me to meet other people in a similar position to me, i.e. parents. But there are a plethora of healthy online groups to join or bloggers to follow
  • Don’t pretend to be happy, ultimately life is never perfect no matter how together others might seem. Always say how you truly feel, don’t feel you have to block your emotions.

10) Rest

There’s a lot to be said for a good nights sleep and although as a parent this can often seem like an impossible task there are things that you can do to improve the quality of the sleep you have:

  • Don’t take your phone to bed
  • Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
  • Cut down on your sugar and caffeine levels, especially before bed
  • Maybe upgrading your bed is not financially possible but look at what is. Could you maybe invest in a good pillow to help relieve any physical stress you have that’s hindering your sleep

Know the difference

Although it’s perfectly normal to feel low from time to time, don’t let how you are feeling get out of your control. If you are reading this and still feeling hopeless and in need of something more to help pick you up, don’t go it alone. Reach out to the likes of the Samaritans. Who you can talk to anytime you need – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal to need or receive a helping hand. However, if you or anyone you know is feeling suicidal please take action to gain help straight away.

Keep your chin up and stay strong!

Much love,

Berrit x

 

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Eilis

    Posts like these are definitely welcomed this time of year! It’s comforting to know I am not the only one who is feeling a little “meh” at the moment. One other thing I have found that really helps improve my mood is walking. Seems very simple but by walking into town instead of jumping the tram, my energy levels appear to be much higher.

    Look forward to the next post!

    1. Booberrit

      You’re so right! It’s just finding your way through the energy slump in order to push yourself up and out. But walking and fresh air definitely a top tip!

  2. Bec Jones

    wise advice Naomi – I try to get outside for an hour it makes such a difference to my well being – even if its a walk around the block or split into 15 minutes blocks between work meetings.
    love bec 🙂

  3. Bec Jones

    very wise advice here – thank you. I try to get outside for an hour a day at least – it’s so important to find the things that help an individual – and everyone is different.
    Love Bec 🙂

    1. Booberrit

      I know what you mean , I’m not good st sticking to s routine but it’s essential you find that one thing for yourself that keeps your mind clear! X

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