How To Get Out Of A Funk

Today's post is sponsored by last week's funk (my own), and a desperate desire to snap out of it quickly. The truth is, we all wake up feeling cranky or depressed for no apparent reason once in awhile, but not only can that case of the blahs overshadow an otherwise perfectly good day; it can actually spread negativity to the people around us, since bad moods have been shown to be contagious. I'd say that's a pretty compelling reason to try out a positive attitude, don't you?

In my own quest to get out of an unexplained funk, I thought it might be helpful to arm myself with a handful of coping mechanisms that I could pull out whenever I'm feeling "off."

Keep reading for 5 mood boosters that almost always work for me, and I'd love to hear yours in the comments!

image by kristen kilpatrick

image by hannah haston

1 – Take care of yourself.

So often, I get cranky when I haven't been taking good care of myself. And it can be a downward spiral, because when I'm in a negative mood, I'm more likely to eat emotionally (i.e. sugar and flour which make me feel worse) and skip my workout. Sometimes just forcing myself to do the things that Iknow make me feel my best is enough to snap out of it: eat clean, workout, and get enough sleep. Plus the natural endorphins that come from a sweat session have been shown to be as effective as anti-depressants for boosting your mood!

photo via hello fashion

2 – Direct your focus to others.

This is such a simple act, yet it's probably the #1 quickest way to get out of a funk. Get outside yourself and focus your attention on others. Smile and say hello to strangers at the coffee shop (I know, it's the last thing you feel like doing, but trust me), call a family member just to see how they're doing, and try having an entire conversation with someone where you ask them questions instead of talking about yourself. Bad mood? What bad mood?

image by kristen kilpatrick

3 – Talk to someone about it.

Sometimes, your really do need to talk through what's going on instead of just trying to "get over it." Sometimes Ithinkthat I'm in a funk for no reason, but when I really take some time to pinpoint what's nagging at my mind, I'm able to focus in on something that's got me anxious and worried. Often, simply identifying the problem is enough to help me reframe the situation in a more positive light, but talking through it with a trusted friend (who's a good listener) is usually the most fast-acting medicine to lift my spirits.

image by hannah haston

4 – Pull out your journal.

Kind of like the trusted friend solution above, writing down your feelings in a journal can help you process what's really going on. Complete honesty is a must here, so go ahead and purge your feelings onto the page, even if they seem stupid or irrational. By the end of a good journaling session, I find that I'm also jotting down problem-solving ideas, which helps me walk away feeling more energized and reminds me that I can choose how I respond to challenging circumstances. Seeing them on paper is one of the best ways to shift your perspective.

image by Kate LeSueur

5 – Unplug and go play.

Do you ever find yourself in a funky mood after scrolling through your social media feed? If so, a tech detox might be just the thing to cure what ails you. That nagging sense of negativity often comes out when we're playing the comparison game – and we can all fall prey when our social media feeds are bombarding us with beautiful people going to fabulous places wearing ridiculously good outfits.

Read my recent thoughts on taking a tech detox here, but the gist of it is: Disconnect, put away your phone, and go do something that feeds your soul.