5 Ways to Cheer Up When You Feel Blue
Anyone who never feels blue needs to get in touch with reality.
You feel blue when:
- Responsibilities weigh on you. This type of sadness often reflects loneliness.
- You poured yourself into a project and succeeded. Mountain top experiences may be followed by valleys. Add guilt if you feel blue after winning.
- The “shoe drop” syndrome sets in. This happens when you live with nagging fear that something bad is going to happen.
- Overdoing it. Drinking and eating too much feels fun during and yucky after.
- Nagging problems feel like anchors. Working without making progress drains energy.
- Your inner critic goes on a rampage.
- “Spinning wheels” describe your current situation.
5 ways to cheer up when you feel blue:
#1. Lift up your head and throw back your shoulders.
Eight years ago I noticed that I look at the ground when I think. Apparently, thinking causes poor posture. The simple act of lifting my head changed my attitude.
Good posture feels better than face dragging.
#2. Take a few deep breaths.
I hesitate to make such simple suggestions. But if you’re blue, simple is all you can do. I’ve read research that suggests this really helps. It’s not the solution. It’s a help.
#3. Wrestle the bear.
Begin a tough conversation you’ve been putting off. Notice the word “begin”. A beginning lifts your spirits. Reject the idea that one conversation will completely solve a nagging issue.
Agree on the outcome you’d like to achieve and take a step to get there.
#4. Aim lower.
Settle for progress.
Solutions may be distant dreams. Progress IS the solution – at least for today.
#5. Ask a respected colleague if they ever feel blue.
When I’m blue, I enjoy hearing others talk about being blue.
How might leaders cheer up when they’re blue?
This is completely not a value add towards a rich conversation, so my apologies, but I have to know; Is that photo from Big Bend National Park? : )
Hi Alicia. No apologies needed. 🙂
The image is Santa Elena Canyon, United States. I’m currently getting my images from: https://unsplash.com/
Have a great week.
When I am feeling blue, the best cure for me is to think of the things I am grateful for. Expressing gratitude is not always easy when you are blue but it forces you to put your focus somewhere else.
Thanks Terry. Over and over, the power of gratitude comes to bear on leadership skills and issues.
The word “expressing” seems to be important.
Doing something kind and unexpected works for me. I give drink coupons away on a flight or pay for a friend’s dinner. Acting generous when I feel generally negative about the state of the world helps counteract hopelessness.
Love it, Amy. It seems like getting out of ourselves is useful.
Dan,
Excellent options, I remember my father saying “when your down and blue, and no one to tell your troubles too, remember me I’m the one who loves you”! That has stuck with me my entire lifetime,we had our conversations of “Pop Aesop” experienced advise over the years, and I’m ever so thankful, “may Dad rest in peace”.
I’m with “Terry”, thinking of things “I’m grateful for” does wonders for me, knowing there will be better days ahead or tougher days ahead is the reality of the world we live in! Don’t let things get you down, remember what gets us here and work on the positive.
Feel the sun on your face, wind in your hair, rain on your face,, the smell of fresh air, or just get out of the office for 5 minutes, turn on music that lifts your spirits (one of my crutches) works for me!
Remember why we do what we do, find your fulfillment.
Life is as good as we make it! 🙂
Isn’t it great to have someone in your corner! Phone a friend. 🙂
One thing I take from your comment is try to enjoy things.
Absolutely Dan, Life is too short!
Yes! I started a practice a while ago when I noticed myself dragging my feet, feeling sluggish, and feeling like the pains in my body were due to my getting older. I would straighten up, walk more briskly, and imagine I felt 20 years younger. Visualization is an amazingly powerful tool.
And generally, when I do that, I immediately feel quite a bit better and actually begin walking better. Thanks for this practical post.
Thanks Kathy… I hadn’t thought of imagining myself younger. Frankly, I find it hard to believe that I’m still not a kid. But, there are days when this would be useful. Cheers
I’ve had a winter of discontent after a year of multiple losses: death of my mother–year anniversary on 2/28/18, a series of job losses, and served with divorce papers–and my contested divorce continues to be nasty throughout this winter. My only solace for my deep sadness has been to create the Ancestry family trees of my parents, who are both gone, as a way to say goodbye and to tell their stories–I am now turning this into a book. As well, I work on my stress of the divorce through martial arts–I am now an Orange Belt on my way to Black. What I have learned this year is that it is OK to be sad, to want to be left alone–no social engagements or media for weeks to able to mourn the only way I can–and not feel guilty about it because people will think that people MUST be social all the time and at any time. I am a natural introvert anyway, and that is OK too. I have come to embrace myself and allow myself to be authentic even when it is not the popular thing to do, as if I ever cared about being popular.
Listen to Music!
When I feel blue I find great comfort and solace in the Psalms of the Bible. In my faith tradition we sing them.
Great comments and suggestions! Reading Scripture is very consoling. Writing down what we’re grateful for gives us a different view. Sometimes, calling a friend can help us talk it out and examine our feelings without judging ourselves for having those feelings. We can change body rhythms and energize by walking, hiking, jogging or engaging in whatever form of activity we like. Go outside! Sunshine adds vitamin D to our systems and can brighten our mood. If all else fails, I watch funny cat videos!
Great point Dan. Body posture influences how we feel. Looking down access emotions. Listening to motivational tapes can lift emotions while drawing inner strength to ride the storms.
Thanks for the post Dan. One other tip I use when I feel blue is to try to focus on what I can control. Sometimes in complicated projects or where there is a lot of ambiguity, it’s good to reset your thinking and realise that you can’t do, or control everything.
It can help to put things in perspective. I also loved your “Settle for progress” tip – this is valuable. As long as you’re moving forward, you’re getting somewhere even if it’s slow!
Thank you for these great suggestions! During the holiday season, many people, especially older adults, feel nostalgic and blue. Some of the warning signs to watch for are explained in this article: https://stayhomecare.com/warning-signs-of-senior-depression-and-how-to-help/