There are many reasons why you might feel down. Maybe you don’t love your job, or you might feel like you’re lacking creativity lately. There can be plenty of personal reasons that life isn’t going your way. Do you need an extra boost of inspiration in your life? Are you running a project or business but seem to be getting stuck and giving up? Try out these tips that might help you to get in the right mindset so that you can start performing your best.
1. Practice mindfulness - Stay in the present moment
What is mindfulness? According to Mindful.org, “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” Staying present and learning how to enjoy the moment instead of stressing about the past or future can be strengthened through practising meditation. It also helps you to get focused at the task at hand so you can be more productive when procrastinating.
Are you new to meditation? There are various meditation apps that can help you get started on your mindful journey. Apps like Headspace, Calm and Balance can give you a great intro to guided meditation. You can even read a book on Mindfulness, like The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment is a book by Eckhart Tolle to help you better understand this concept a bit better.
2. Go to your support circle - friends, family or anyone that can listen
Did you ever feel down and then vented to a friend and end up feeling better? Releasing your inner worries to those close to you can help you through tough times. Having a strong support group comes in various forms, but knowing that you can lean on someone when you are stressed or worried can do wonders.
Surround yourself with people that lift you up and make you feel good. Pay attention to your emotions and energy when you are around certain people. Sometimes you can’t put your finger on why you feel bad around a certain someone, but the fact that you repeatedly do might be a sign to distance yourself from them. Sometimes the people you hang out with the most reflect on who you are as a person. If you keep seeing people that are lost or depressed, it won’t be surprising if you feel the same. Try to surround yourself with those that make you feel better. We all have our ups and downs, but monitor yourself to become aware of how you really feel.
3. Get professional help - find a coach or therapist
Sometimes when the going gets tough, finding professional help can help. Having this type of support can help anyone, but it’s likely that people reach for a therapist when confronted by a tough situation or hitting a new low (not when everything is going well).
Long-term therapy often helps you see changes that you might miss. You can sometimes get through situations and cycle with time and experience, but professional help can often provide an extra boost and quicken healthy changes. Your therapist can also point out your progress when you’re mixed up in the middle of a mental battle. Just like having support from a friend, having professional guidance can provide immense support without a biased view from someone close to you.
Or you can try joining a support group therapy session if you don’t want a one-on-one meeting or have a tight budget. There are plenty of therapists that will do online sessions now more than ever given the pandemic.
4. Find your “why” - a purpose
Do you often feel lost and without a purpose? Sometimes you might feel demotivated because you don’t have an energetic pull in a certain direction. When you have a reason why you’re doing something and fully feel connected to it, it oftentimes organically adds inspiration and motivation. Simon Sinek wrote a few books on this topic, and he believes that you can create your “why,” which drives purpose. Knowing your “why” helps you to filter out decisions and even adds a strong sense of purpose to your life.
Simon Sinek has written two books, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action and Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team, which can help you get motivated if you are feeling lost. Finding purpose is of course quite beneficial, but finding out HOW to find purpose is another story. These books may help you find your “why.”
5. Embrace failure and build resilience during tough times
Life can’t always be so rosy. There are ups and downs, and the tough times teach us some important lessons. It’s hard to understand that when in the middle of something painful or negative. Sometimes our emotions get the best of us and we feel hopeless, but it’s our responsibility to act differently rather than react and feel like a victim. Of course, this doesn’t apply to everything, but many times our thinking habits can become a downward spiral that is hard to control, and before you know it, you’re down in the dumps. Learning how to calm down during a storm is an important tool. You can also refer to 1. Practice mindfulness for tough times.
Building resilience can greatly help when you’re feeling down. What does it mean to have resilience? According to the Mayo Clinic, “Resilience won’t make your problems go away — but resilience can give you the ability to see past them, find enjoyment in life and better handle stress.” Building resilience can be learned, just like meditation.
The Mayo Clinic suggests taking these measures to strengthen your resilience:
– Build strong relationships with others
– Making every day meaningful
– Learn from hard times and continue to improve your coping skills
– Stay hopeful for a brighter future
– Take proper care of yourself (and your mental health)
– Be proactive and actively change things instead of being reactive
How can you change your dread when everything seems to be falling apart? Take a moment to breathe, meditate, exercise, or do something you love to feel inspired. Spend time with loved ones, or find professional support if you feel like you need some extra support. All of the previously mentioned tips can help you to feel better again.
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