Feeling Blue? 7 Ways To Instantly Feel Better

Written By:

Written By:

Feeling Blue Ways To Instantly Feel Better 1

Feeling blue happens to us all. It can be due to seasonal affective disorder, a recent disappointment, or just coming down from an emotional high. Iโ€™ve been there.

The negative emotions from the blues can be intoxicating. This can make it hard to feel better. But I want to remind youโ€”youย canย feel better. I know 7 ways you can do that.

Feeling better starts withโ€”wanting to. Although deciding you want to feel better isnโ€™t enough, itโ€™s where it starts. Your choice is yourย superpower.

Because youโ€™ve decided you want to beย happierย Iโ€™ll show you the 7 ways I know to help you stop feeling blue.

You may need to do just one of them, a few of them, or all of them. But whatever you do โ€“ do something youย want to doย because you canโ€™tย should yourselfย out of the blues. That will only make them worse.

Read through the 7 ways and find something that sounds good to you, something youโ€™d enjoy. You canโ€™t be feeling blue when youโ€™re busy having fun.

feeling blue

7 Things To Do When Youโ€™re Feeling Blue

1. Change your surroundings

Whether you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or not, winter has less sunlight than summer and our bodies do notice. Brighten up your surroundings.

  • Freshen up the dรฉcor in your home with new paint, new wall hangings, or simply rearrange your furniture.
  • Get some fresh cut flowers or a plant to add life and happy colors.

Turn on more lights or get a lightbox for light therapy. Studies show that even 30 minutes a day can simulate an antidepressant.

When the sunย doesย come out, open the blinds and let it in, then sit by a window and look out and smile. Change your surroundings, stop feeling blue.

Read What Did You See First? Your Choices Will Reveal Your True Personality

2. Go somewhere, where you feel nice

Many people like to take vacations in the winter. Not everyone can. If you can, go for it.

  • If you canโ€™t go somewhereย far, or somewhere warmโ€”goย somewhere.
  • Be a tourist in your own area. Visit something thatโ€™s new to you that an out of towner would want to experience.

If you donโ€™t know what that might be, type into google โ€œplaces to visit in _______โ€ (your town or area). You may come up with a ton of options. Then pick one and do it and you will stop feeling blue.

3. Connect with people

When You Connect With People Who Are Good For You, you feel good.

Time to ourselves is good but too much alone time isnโ€™t good. Even introverts need people time. We were created for relationship.

Many times we get down or depressed because winter is a more isolated time. Combat this with an intentional social connection.

  • Reach out to an old friend or relative you havenโ€™t seen in a while.
  • Call someone on the phone to chat. Or better, meet up for lunch, a coffee, or a drink.
  • Invite a group of people over for cards, games or a home party.

Spend some time in prayer and connect with God. Feeling blue and lonely is painful. Youโ€™re not alone in the world so donโ€™t be.

Read 6 Questions To Ask Before You Believe Youโ€™re Depressed

4. Learn to do something new

When itโ€™s time for something new, you will feel it.

Humans are habitual creatures. Many live scheduled lives. This can cause boredom and make you feel like the walls are closing in.

Break out into something new to stop feeling blue.

  • Take up a new hobby like puzzles, drawing, painting, reading, or journaling.
  • Enroll in a class that meets in person and not online. You can find these at libraries, local adult education centers, community colleges, and senior centers. The class topics are endless from learning how to cook to TaiChi. (I take TaiChi & really enjoy it)

If you have a skill to share, you can offer to teach a class.

Reach out to others by volunteering, or doing simple random acts of kindness. Doing for others alwaysย makes us feel goodย and we see past our own problems.

5. Creative positive expectations for the future

Maybe you canโ€™t take that vacation this winter but you can plan one for next year. If thatโ€™s not possible, or too far away to think about, think about what you can do. Consider next weekend, spring break, or when summer comes again.

  • Plan something fun like an activity, party, or a day adventure youโ€™d enjoy.
  • Planning this will bring the joy of expectation and anticipation. Youโ€™ll have something to look forward to.

If you like Pinterest make a board for your plan. Add to it every day to grow your anticipation until the day arrives.

I made a board of fun things to do with my grandkids in the summer, and have shared a board with family members regarding a holiday. It can be a lot of fun.

Read 5 Tips for Managing Mental Health Issues Over the Long Term

6. Stir up inner happiness

Those happy hormones called endorphins are lacking when we feel blue so we need to stir them up.

  • Feed your sense of smell with aromatherapy, essential oils, or a candle.
  • Turn on someย upbeat musicย and dance. That not only fuels the soul with happy but the physical movement stirs up those endorphins.
  • Stir them up more with various ways of being physically active like mall walking, swimming at the YMCA, getting your bounce on at a trampoline park, or do some yoga.

Turn them up higher withย playย andย laughter.

Read The Key To Rediscovering Inner Happiness Based On Your Zodiac Sign

7. Power up when you feel down

Sometimes we feel down when things pile up. Overwhelm and stress try to suck the life out of us.7.

Take back some power by conquering a small task.

  • Clean out a closet, a drawer or a toy box and get rid of some stuff.
  • Start making your bed every morning and begin the day with a completed task.

Empower your body by eating foods that are good for you. It doesnโ€™t have to taste like cardboard to be a healthier choice. Quest brand protein bars are delicious.ย I carry them in my store.

Getting enough sleep is important. How much we need varies by age. According to the National Sleep Foundation, our need for sleep has increased in 6 of the 9 age categories.ย This is your permission for a nap.

Drinking enough water is an important thing many people have trouble with. Increasing water intake can be made more enjoyable by flavoring it or getting aย water carbonator.

Doing something to feel better when you have the blues is good self-care. Love your self.

WHAT NEXT

Doing something to feel better when you are feeling blue is good self-care. Love your self. Which of the choices do you find enticing or intriguing? Iโ€™d love to know.

Serious depression is not the blues. If youโ€™re suffering depression please seek professional help. Love your self.

If you need to, please call theย National Suicide Prevention Lifelineย ย 1-800-273-8255 Available 24 hours every day.


Written by: Danielle Bernock
Originally appeared on: Daniellebernock.com
Republished with permission. 
feel better when you are feeling blue pin
feeling blue

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

, ,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Boomerasking: The Silent Conversation Killer You Didn’t Know You Had

What Is Boomerasking? Signs You're Guilty Of This Bad Habit

We need to talk. And no, not about you, though thatโ€™s kind of the point. If youโ€™ve ever asked someone a question only to immediately shift the conversation back to yourself, you might be guilty of boomerasking.

What Is Boomerasking?

It is a conversational tactic identified by Harvard Business School’s professor Alison Wood Brooks, wherein a question that seems to show interest serves as a guise for the speaker to center the conversation about themself.

Up Next

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs: Learn To Supercharge Your Life!

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs Interesting Hues

Ever felt drawn to a certain color without knowing why? Or maybe youโ€™ve noticed how certain colors boost your mood and energy. Below are 12 power colors for zodiac signs. Find a hue that aligns with your strengths and helps supercharge your life. 

Wearing the zodiac sign power colors can help you feel more centered, confident, and in sync with your true self. 

So, do you want to learn more about the colors that can enhance your energy and success? Letโ€™s explore the power colors for zodiac signs!

Up Next

10 Subtle Signs Youโ€™re Secretly Becoming Your Best Self

Signs Youโ€™re Becoming Your Best Self

We always hear about green flags in relationships, but what about green flags in yourself? The truth is, youโ€™ve probably grown more than you realize. Itโ€™s easy to focus on what still needs work, but if youโ€™ve been showing up for yourselfโ€”whether in your mindset, habits, relationships, or careerโ€”youโ€™re already on the right track.

Becoming your best self isnโ€™t about waking up one day with everything figured out. Itโ€™s about the small shifts, the quiet wins, and the moments where you choose growth over comfort. So if youโ€™ve been wondering whether youโ€™re heading in the right direction, take this as a sign: Youโ€™re doing better than you think.

Ahead, weโ€™re diving into the green flags that prove youโ€™re stepping into your happiest, most authentic selfโ€”because real growth is happening, even if you donโ€™t see it yet.

Up Next

The Script is Yours: 7 Ways To Be The Leading Lady In Your Own Life

How To Be A Leading Lady Of Your Own Life? Best Ways

Every so often, a movie line sticks with you. In The Holiday, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) has a pivotal realization: โ€œYouโ€™re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life!โ€ This hits home for women in their 20s and 30s, a time when life can feel like a balancing act of dreams, relationships, and self-doubt. 

But what if you decided to step into the spotlight of your own story? Learn how to be the leading lady in your own life and reclaim center stage!

Up Next

How To Break The Habit Of People Pleasing?

Clear Signs Of People Pleasing And How To Stop It

Do you say โ€œyesโ€ to avoid conflict, but deep down, you feel drained? Recognize people pleasing behavior as itโ€™s time to set boundaries and reclaim your peace!

First we must care for ourselves. When we do, we can better care for others.

Key points

When we people-please, it creates a relationship that is not really honest.

We cannot meet everyone else’s needs.

When we become more OK with being ourselves, people will likely be drawn to us because we are being authentic.

Up Next

The Power of Solitude: Does It Lead To Inner Growth?

The Power Of Solitude Important Points

Learn the power of solitude as it gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself. And in these quiet moments, you can truly grow. So, let’s explore more!

Connect to your soul and quiet your busy mind.

Key points

We all need solitude and silence, and we all need social connection.

Solitude helps us put things into perspective and gain clarity.

Solitude can help us to not be reactionary and instead be responsive, open, and more flexible in our thinking.

Up Next

How Do We Practice Compassionate Communication?

Practicing Compassionate Communication Great Ways

What does it take to truly connect with others? Learn to practice compassionate communication in everyday life to ease their pain.

Five principles for compassionate communication.

Key points

Compassion can be thought of as an empathetic, conscious effort to relieve the suffering of another.

Mirror neurons allow us to experience one another in our minds.

Embrace an openness to thoughts and experiences that may challenge your usual way of doing things.