How to Get Out of a Funk

It's normal to get into a funk in the middle of the winter. Then add a pandemic to that! Phew. This past week I was definitely in a funk. My husband even told me that I was in a bad mood all week, (thanks hunny). First, I want to point out that it's totally normal to feel like you're in a funk, or in a bad mood. Hopefully you'll notice it before your spouse does, though! I have found a few tips that help me kick the funk to the curb.

First, get some endorphins moving! According to https://www.healthline.com/health/endorphins, "They (endorphins) are produced by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland. Since endorphins act on the opiate receptors in our brains, they reduce pain and boost pleasure, resulting in a feeling of well-being." Have you ever heard of a "runner's high?" What is being referred to here is the release of endorphins after exercising. So, go for a walk or for a run. Do anything that gets you moving. I personally like to do Yoga because I find there's something really special in connecting movement to your breath. Zumba is another great option, especially when you pick some of your favorite songs (hello Mamma Mia Zumba!). There's nothing like rocking out to your favorite tunes and getting the sweat rolling. Exercising regularly naturally releases feelings of anxiety and depression. It is kind of like the built-in antidepressant for the human race. If you're not exercising at all... you should be! Make it joyful by asking a friend to go along or listen to your favorite songs. Today, I went snowshoeing with a friend and it was so much fun! I love the opportunity to talk with a friend, get a great workout in, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

An extremely important part of kicking the funk out of the house is VITAMINS. I am not a doctor, so please consult yours. However, I have had 3 of my doctors tell me that the majority of people who live in the north east are Vitamin D deficient, even in the summer! We simply just do not get enough sun here. I can feel drained of energy and motivation when the sun is not out. Since I began taking Vitamin D supplements, I feel so much better. I have energy all the time. Other vitamins I'd recommend you talk with your doctor about is Vitamin B6 and B12. They help boost my mood a ton, too. One miracle vitamin is Magnesium. According to Barry McDonagh, author of, DARE: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks, "To help reduce feelings of anxiety I suggest you take a good B complex vitamin along with Magnesium Citrate 3 times a day in powder form. You should also take omega-3 oils. Omega-3 is not only good for helping ease anxiety, but also has many other reported health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and possibly reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. These are good anxiety natural remedies." For me, when I'm feeling anxious, I'll take a Magnesium supplement, and I'll feel better throughout the day. I've also become a total advocate for CBD Oil. It has an instant calming effect.

Keep fresh flowers in the house and grow some plants. Yes, you can grow plants over the winter. I invested in a mini green house and a grow light, and have been growing plants all winter! Besides that, I have a hanging plant that is extremely healthy, and Jade plants that do great indoors. There are even plants that bloom in the winter. My Christmas Cactus is beginning to bloom right now. I joke around and call it my February Break Cactus. Each time I go to Aldi, I buy a couple bouquets of flowers and disperse them throughout my house. It brings a sense of freshness and new beginnings even in the cold months.

Light some candles! Candles are an immediate atmosphere & ambiance boost. Hello mood lighting! Bonus points if they're from my store (https://www.etsy.com/shop/lovelylivingwlaura).

Invest in a Light Therapy Lamp. This lamp is one of the best purchases I have ever made. I sit with it on while I get ready for the day, do my yoga and sometimes when I come home from work. It provides the benefits of the sun, without actually having the sun. It's amazing. I notice instant energy and a complete mood boost.

Get better sleep. What is your bedtime routine? Try to set up a routine of 5 things at night before you go to bed to train your brain into knowing when it's time to shut down. It's the same reason that we play with puppies before bed time. In order, I take a shower or a bath, change into my pajamas, unplug from my cell phone, make my lunch for the next day, have a cup of hot Chamomile Tea, read my book, put some essential oils on my temples, put lotion on my hands, and then go to bed. I know, it's a lot! But... I hardly ever have trouble sleeping. No lie there. Having a night time routine really works. Purchase a weighted blanket for nights where you really can't get to sleep.

I have trouble waking up when the sun is not out to greet me (the sun is my bff, if you haven't already noticed). I bought this nifty thing called a Sunrise Alarm Clock. You still set the time on the alarm, but it will gradually increase the amount of light starting about half an hour before your wake up time. When your alarm goes off (which you can set to a number of things; I wake up to beach noises), it will look like the sun is shining into your room. Most days, I wake up before the alarm because I think the sun is shining. I'm more awake through the day. It's crazy, but it really tricks your brain to think that you are waking up with the sun. Coolest. Thing. Ever.

Recite mantras to yourself. I've just recently begun to do this. My favorite is from Adriene Mishler, star of Yoga with Adriene. "The universe is for me, and so is everything else." This is so powerful. Every morning, I read a note card attached to my Buddha statue (see picture above). It says, "Every day, think to yourself as you wake up, today I am fortunate to have woken up. I am alive. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can." This is a quote from the XIV Dalai Lama. It sets my day on the right path. A few more are, "Where I am right now is exactly where I need to be," and, "I am strong, I am loved, I am safe."

The Dalai Lama quote card actually came with a purchase I made of these amazing glasses from a company called RainbowOPTX. They are mood boosting sun glasses, and they are AMAZING. I highly recommend getting the yellow glasses. They make everything look like the sun is out. I wear them driving, and it just makes me so much happier! The other pair that I would recommend is the rose color. When I need to feel a little love, I slip those on, and the world gets so much warmer. It works because our eyes are extremely connected to our brains. And, everyone could benefit by looking at the world through rose color glasses.

Call a friend, call your mom! My best friend, Kiersten is the most understanding, and best person to talk to when I want someone who is completely invested in me and my feelings. Having that person that just listens is one of life's greatest blessings. I love, you Kier. Another is to call your mom, dad or someone you love. I'm the luckiest person alive to have a mother who is so warm and charismatic every hour of the day. I can call her and talk about nothing and feel instantly better. If I'm really having a tough day, her hugs will just shred any ounce of anxiety or worry off of my shoulders. It usually makes me cry, but it's so therapeutic and so needed. Sometimes I need a hug from my mom when it's not possible - early in the morning, late at night, or at work. All I have to do is close my eyes for a minute, and picture my mom and give her a hug in my imagination, and that will be enough to feel her presence and calm me down. Now, because I am who I am, I will sit in meditation and hold her in a hug for what seems like hours. There's nothing better than a hug from my mommy. (Mom & Dad, if you're reading this, know I love you unconditionally!) I'll also do this with my dad. Dad hugs are just as good as mom hugs (hi Dad!) but are different. Mom hugs are warm and tender, but my dad's hugs come with a sense of strength and protection. When I'm needing guidance I'll imagine hugging my dad, and I'll feel his strength within me and know that I am protected. Or, I'll imagine what advice he would give, and I can instantly hear his voice in my ear. I also do this with loved ones who have crossed over. Sometimes, I just want words of encouragement from my grandma, so I'll just picture her during meditation, and I can see her as clearly as ever.

At the end of the day, journal about what you did, felt and thought throughout the day. Be grateful for the amazing day that you had on Earth. At the end of your entry, write a list of five things you're thankful for. This is a game changer! It's so powerful. I do it every night.

The last but probably most important thing, is to practice mindfulness in all things. My favorite thing though, is to stop in the middle of the day and appreciate what you have. Sometimes at work (I'm a fifth grade teacher), I'll hear the kids laughing and I will take a second to stop and listen to their laughs and appreciate the sound of their voices. On my walks I'll often see a family of deer. I'll stop and watch them for a few minutes. Today I pulled over and talked to some horses on my way to get groceries. My husband was a little annoyed (things like this happen a lot with me), but I was happy that I took the time to enjoy being fully present. When I'm with my family, or cuddling with my dogs, I'll just look around and think how lucky I am to have them in my life. Take time throughout the day to stop and 'smell the roses.' I dare you - try to stop and find something to be thankful for five times tomorrow. I guarantee you will have a wonderful day.

It can be tough to feel stuck. All of these strategies will help you to move that energy into a lighter one that works for you and supports you in having a life you desire. Do these things regularly, and I promise that you'll start living the life you deserve and always imagined; The loveliest life of all.

*I have to give a lot of credit to Chantel Lockwood, who taught me so many of the things I just shared with you. I'll be forever grateful to you for teaching me how to live a lovely life.

P.S. - If you like everything you've read, I promise I can help you to create the happy life you've alway imagined. Contact me @lovelylivingwithlaura@gmail.com for personal guided meditations, life advice, or to jumpstart your vibrant happy life through Consciously Awesome™.