8 things to do when you’re feeling down

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Everyone suffers from depression and/or anxiety at some point(s) in their lives. You might not realise it but it’s completely normal to feel a bit off from time to time, because let’s face it, no one can always be happy and high on energy all the time - unless of course you're Ranvir Singh!

Experts claim that it is important to realise and process whatever ill-feelings you might have and move on. And if your symptoms persist, consult a mental health professional. But in the meantime, why not try to work things out on your own? As compiled from Ourfamilyworld.com, here are eight things you can do to uplift your mood whenever you feel down.

Let it in, then let it go

Try to beat denial… acknowledging your feelings helps make them better. Without this, you cannot comprehend why you are feeling the way you are feeling. You could be upset due to anything: poor sleep at night, a tough day at work, a fight with a spouse or an incident from the past that impacted you greatly.

Just remind yourself that things happen but life goes on. It won’t be easy but it’ll be worth it.



Get moving

Any kind of physical activity is likely to lighten your mood. You don’t need to spend hours at the gym – just 15 to 30 minutes will also suffice. This is because exercise produces endorphins in your brain – a hormone which is known to make one feel happy.

If exercise isn’t your thing, just take your dog for a walk or dance to your favourite songs at home. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as it gets you moving.

Let it out

If you’re feeling a strange sense of being trapped, chances are you need to express your frustrations. We’ve all been there - sometimes, a good scream or cry is all you need to get back to your happy selves. So don’t try to bottle things up.

Talk

A good way to let your emotions out is to talk about them. It could be with a family member, friend, spouse or a therapist but it’s a great way to sort through what might actually be bothering you.

Spend some time alone

Sometimes when you’re feeling down, the best thing you can do is take a step back, relax and just be all by yourself. Contrary to popular belief, alone time can be quite healing. and you don't need to be sulking under the sheets - watch a movie by yourself or go through your picture gallery!

Unplug

Guess what? Browsing through social media when you’re depressed can actually exacerbate your feelings. Many tend to get annoyed or jealous of all the things people post online. Others also tend to feel low when they don’t get enough ‘likes’ on their post.

Out and about

Getting some fresh air is very beneficial, regardless of whether you feel down or not. We’re not even asking you to do anything when you’re outdoors: just the exposure to daylight is enough to uplift your mood. Seems like a jog or brisk walk is all you need to smile again!

Get rid of toxicity

At times, there are things in your life that make you feel low on a regular basis. It could be a toxic relationship or lack of a relationship at all, a promotion you expected to get but didn’t or something else. Whatever it might be, best to steer clear of it while you’re in low spirits. Trust us, you’ll be glad you stayed away from all the drama that might be going on in your life.

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