I’m in a funk. I just realized that I’ve been in a really negative today. So negative in fact that I am even annoying myself. I’m just grumpy for no reason, and have a crappy attitude.
I’m in a funk because the negative attitude is disproportionate to what’s going on in my life. I don’t have too much of a reason to be in a bad mood. I’ve had a great weekend. Been productive, got to sleep in, and had some good things happen. Yet I’m still crabby.
So here’s a list of things that can snap you out of the bad mood that mysteriously plops itself down in your path from time to time. (And no, it doesn’t say the usual: Go exercise. That one’s obvious, and for me it’s hard to motivate to exercise when I’m in a funk.)
1. Take a shower or a bath.
You never really feel worse after taking a shower. It makes you feel refreshed, more awake, which in turn brightens the mood. Or get a good book and soak in a hot bath. Force yourself to ease your tensions with a steamy shower.
2. Eat Chocolate.
Break out the chocolate bar and have a snack. It is proven to have anti-depressive effects, and simply tastes damn good.
3. Do your make up or do something to make yourself look better.
I feel better when I look better. When you are in a funk, you’re probably laying around the house in pajamas, being lazy. After you take a shower, put on make up. Even if you aren’t going anywhere, put on clean clothes and spruce up your appearance a bit.
4. Be around people that love you.
It’s hard to be negative around people that love you, and show it. You can try, but making yourself be with loved ones reminds you how lucky you are to have good family or friends.
5. Be around people that make you laugh.
I’m lucky that my family makes me laugh. During Easter, we were all cracking each other up so much that we were crying, and unable to eat. The food got cold because our silliness lasted so long. Last week I was laughing so hard at work that I snorted. It’s hard to be upset when you are snorting.
6. Write.
Sit down for 15 minutes and write about everything that is stressing you out or bringing you down. Get it out, feel it, and think about it. Then let it go. Sometimes we feel worse because something is wrong, but we keep going on and try to ignore it. Writing is so therapeutic, and makes you realize things that you never would have if you didn’t get it out out of your head and on to paper.
7. Go to bed early.
Just like it’s okay to be in a bad mood sometimes, it’s also okay to not be able to snap out of it. Accept that you are having a bad day and just go to bed early. Get some extra sleep, and remember that tomorrow will be better. Most of the time, I wake up in a great mood just as mysteriously as I slipped into a funk.
8. Be grateful.
Shift your negative focus. Write down five things that you are grateful for right now. Or make a list of as many as you can think of. Even if you aren’t in a positive mood, there is always something to be grateful for.
9. Make a play list of happy music.
Carol King just told me I’m beautiful. Playing this song on repeat works wonders. Make a play list of only upbeat music, and play it loud.
10. Clean up for 15 minutes.
Tidy up your surroundings. Set a timer for short period of time, and do a minimal clean up. Your house is always more depressing to be in when it’s messy or unorganized. It doesn’t take very long to do a little clean up, and has a big influence on mood.
In the past couple hours, I’ve taken a shower, and done my hair and make up. Carol King is telling me I’m beautiful and I’m munching on some chocolate. I’m about to get dressed and go out to dinner with some friends and family who love me and make me laugh. That should do the trick. 
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel like you just wrote out my go to list. Usually ice cream is also involved. But I wanted to comment here that even if you’re not into writing out your thoughts, just sitting with them and instead of getting upset that you’re in a funk, start answering every thought with “isn’t that interesting…I wonder why I’m thinking that.” It’s such a silly little phrase that completely changes your outlook on your mood and in most cases sheds light on something you’re avoiding thinking about. Most of the time I find I’m stressed out or in a funk because I’m scared of taking the next step on a project. I won’t know what the step after that one is! I won’t know how to solve the next problem! Better to sit in a funk. Better to not acknowledge that there is a problem at all.
When you take the judgement of being in a funk out of the equation, you’ve opened up brain power to actually explore the causes and, in my case, remind myself that no one knows all the answers to the problems they haven’t faced yet and I have plenty of time to figure it out when I get there!
Ahh, yes. I forgot the all important ice cream. That does the trick almost every time! That’s very true that if you allow yourself to detach from the funk, and take out the harsh judgement against yourself, it usually relieves a bit of the pressure.
I find that when I’m funk-y, cleaning tends to help me the most. I am not, by nature, the neatest of people, and seeing the difference between “cluttered kitchen” and “clean countertops” usually works wonders for me. At the very least, it makes me feel I have been productive instead of moping around all day (yes, in my pajamas, too). Anything like that (cleaning, working in the garden, etc.) where I can look back at the end of the day and point to something solid and concrete that I accomplished makes a huge difference.
Also, I would add “hold a (happy) baby,” if you have one accessible.
Thanks for the great words.
Ooohhh, the old go-to of “hold a happy baby”! You’re right about doing something that makes you feel accomplished, as well. Even if it’s something small, if you can make any sort of positive, noticeable change that definitley helps the funk,
I love the list, but then again i love anything that involves chocolate. I would also add exercise to the list, it always helps me shake the cobwebs louse.
Hi Quinn,
It’s true that exercise helps getting out a funk. I just didn’t want to include that one because I usually don’t feel like exercising when I’m feeling down. But I agree that getting your endorphins going is one of the best natural cures!
I kind of like combining 9 and 10. As much as I don’t really like cleaning, there is something therapeutic about it, and listening to good music helps it move along better. To add to just writing, I would say to do something creative. It helps to get your mind going and not focus on the neagativity that may have put you in a bad mood. Nice list!!
True, you can use good music to make the cleaning more effective! But then again, good music makes everything better.
You are so right, sometimes it’s okay to be down and in a bad mood, it’s when we stay down that we have to consider taking action and seeing a professional. You’ve provided such a great list on ways to get out of the funk. I especially find laughing to be a instant mood changer. Another one is simply smiling. It’s proven that smiling can be an instant mood changer. Even when you don’t feel like smiling it’s always helpful to do so.
Great article, thanks for sharing!!
Sleep for the Win! Good short list.
Definitely eat chocolate. I also like to read a self-help book. Always puts me in a much better mood; give me that go-getter attitude.
Another good tip — exercise! Exercising naturally releases endorphines in the brain which elevates one’s mood and increases happiness. Exercise is also a great way to blow off steam, work off any extra/pent up energy and perhaps feel less guilty about that chocolate indulgence
Glad to have found your great website. Will be bookmarking and reading again soon!
Yours,
Dave
Thank you.
Thank you