It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live – life comes with obstacles. They might not be constant, and sometimes, it might feel like they are coming all at once. However, one of the truths of life is that there are tragedies that cannot be avoided. They might come in the form of the death of a relative, a natural disaster that destroys your business, or a bad breakup that is taking its toll on you. However, that doesn’t mean that you always have to succumb to these obstacles. Here are some ways to break yourself out of a “funk”, no matter what put you there.

Reminisce

If you want to feel great about yourself, one of the things that you can do is to simply remember some great memories. It might be a vacation where you experienced some incredible inner peace, or a museum visit that was particularly inspiring. Go ahead and browse through some old photos where you and your friends might have had some fun. There might be an achievement that you remember, whether it’s personal or professional, that makes you feel better about yourself. This can definitely help when it comes to breaking yourself out of a funk.

Writing

There are all sorts of ways to deal with a funk, but sometimes, writing about it can truly help articulate why you are frustrated or depressed. This can be a great way to vent about your current state without having to talk to a friend or see a therapist, and it can make you feel like a burden has been lifted after you put the pen down, or stop typing. The benefits of journaling are well-chronicled, for those that might be skeptical. Either way, whether you make it a regular practice or simply write furiously during a particularly stressful period, writing can truly help you change your life around.

Give More

There is a natural tendency to think that when you are down, or in a funk, that you should do everything that you can to help yourself. Have you ever heard the saying though that it is “better to give than receive”? The right volunteer work at a soup kitchen might make you appreciate where you are in life, and make you feel better about your role in society. There’s also the option of donating to a charity of your choice, and feel better about the fact that you might be benefiting the life of someone less fortunate than you, or a cause that you believe in. In addition, you can always choose to do something small, whether it’s give a generous tip or pay for the fast food or coffee shop order behind you, the next time that you go to either of those places.

Small Adjustments

You might find that the smallest adjustments to your life can really end up making a big difference. If you’re in a funk, have you thought about going to the gym? Maybe you are already going to the gym – but you can switch things up, and go first thing in the morning. You might find that this practice helps you maintain focus and gives you more energy throughout the day. You might decide to make some small adjustments to your wardrobe, which can lead to new attention and compliments that make you feel better about yourself. It might be a new sweater that makes you feel cozy, a weighted blanket that helps you feel more comfortable, some pillows that make you sleep better, or designer watches that you have always wanted to purchase: small adjustments might help you get out of a big funk.

Music!

You might be surprised at how much music can change your mood. After all, there’s a reason why certain music has even been used to torture prisoners: they really can have a psychological effect on individuals. However, the right uplifting music can absolutely help you get out of your funk. If you are going through a bad breakup, there are even curated playlists to help you actually get out of that funk. One of the great things about getting out of a funk is new music, and checking out new releases might help you get some new energy and perspective about your energy. Whether you are into funk, hip-hop, punk rock, or another genre – enjoying the music that you love can truly help you connect to the world in a new meaningful way. Of course, you can always go back and explore classic favorites, as well.

Author(s)

  • Bonnie is a Certified Life Coach. She received a Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago. She works to identify imbalances and deficiencies and create individualized therapies to improve overall health and wellness.