Have you hit a slump? Looking for some quick ways to feel better? Here are some quick tips:
1 Are you sleeping well?
The change over from day light saving time can take a bit of adjustment. Use sleep hygeine practices to get into a routine to help you fall asleep more easily. If you’re feeling disregulated, you might find staying asleep tricky. Take the time to feel calm before you go to bed, and you’re more likely to stay asleep.
2 Listen to music
Music bypasses the logical parts of the brain and hits you right in the feels. People with dementia have been found to remember tunes and words to songs that they liked in their youth. Music, like smell, is an association with good times, deep memories and important events. Listen to feel-good music and you’ll feel good!
3 Move your body
If your posture is mirroring the shape of your office chair, it’s time to take a break and move. Aches and pains can be relieved with gentle exercise. I’m not asking your to run a marathon – walking, stretching, yoga and sports that you enjoy all improve your mental health due to the chemicals they release in your brain.
4 Socialise
To some people, this sounds like a nightmare. But to others, it’s the secret to life. We are social creatures, created to connect with others. There is much benefit in a visit, call, message or encouraging note. Get out of your comfort zone and mix with people who love you. You’ll feel much better for it.
5 Think back over what you’re eaten and had to drink in the past few days
Are you surviving on buckets of coffee? Do you rely on a glass or two of alcohol to wind down at night? When did you last have a vegetable? Do you cook yourself, or order in? The things you ingest make a big difference to how you feel.
These are super simple, basic and quick ways to feel better. Sometimes, the quick ways to feel better are not enough. If you’ve got all of these under control, and still feel a bit off, take a mood inventory and examine how you’re feeling, and why.
You might need some extra support to identify and address these reasons for your feelings. If that’s the case, a visit to the GP, a nutitionalist or a counsellor could be due. However, with the right information and action, feeling better is a worthwhile pursuit.
