3 Tips for Getting Out of a Funk

Everyone, at some point, gets into a funk

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No matter how much you work on yourself, no matter how dedicated you are to all of the positive and uplifting behaviors that improve your life, you are still destined to hit a wall.

This can be a small plateau that you move past in a small amount of time, or it can be an intense and seemingly immovable place that is difficult to transition beyond. The more you focus on how much of a funk you are in, the more real and solid this down period seems to become.

Asking ourselves why we are in a down period emotionally can often be a self-defeating endeavor. Often, it's an unanswerable question, as our emotions can be difficult to define and pin down. Many times we enter a more depressed state for no apparent reason and asking why will never produce a satisfactory answer.

I have found that, regardless of the reason, it is best to accept the experience for what it is and to engage in activities that are likely to shift me out of this state. I believe using multiple strategies at once can be an effective way of getting out of a funk. With that in mind, here are a few strategies I've found to be helpful.

1. Exercise

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This won't be a ground-breaking revelation to most people. We're probably all aware that the benefits of physical activity stretch far beyond the physical aspects and can affect our emotional state as well.

This past summer, I was stuck in a rut and was feeling as though I needed to do something different. I began listening to Tony Robbins' talks on a variety of self-help subjects and one of the common threads throughout was the impact and importance of exercise on our brain.

The quote that really hit home for me was 'motion leads to emotion.' Emotions impact our posture and the way in which we move our bodies. A depressed person often moves slowly, with their head slumped down, as their body can mirror their inner sadness. In order to shift our emotional state, the way in which we move our bodies can literally change our emotional state.

Sure, we also get a boost of serotonin that helps our mood when we exercise, but working out goes beyond just the biochemical factors. When I began to run every day, the thoughts that were bouncing around my head lost their power, as my energy was being used to burn calories.

By going for a run each day, I was able to feel like I had accomplished something, which was a powerful antidote against the negative mindset that can overpower our emotional state. Over time, this also improved my overall energy which also helped overcome the funk I was in. A powerful upward cycle towards less funk-filled times.

2. Seek a creative outlet.

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One of the things that have been a huge benefit to getting out of funks for me has been writing, specifically on Steemit. By putting my complex emotional state into a semi-coherent narrative form I am able to process whatever I'm experiencing.

Creative outlets allow us to turn our emotional shitstorm into artistic gold. It won't always alleviate our suffering, but it might just produce something that reminds us of our worth, which can go a long way to pulling us out of the muck.

Regardless of if you write, play music, paint, draw, or do any other activity, creating something meaningful from a seemingly worthless and awful experience can allow us to turn any perceived down period into something that uplifts our spirit.

3. Get out of your house

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If you're in a funk and aren't sure of what to do, it's a good idea to leave the confines of your home and seek something outside of your normal routine. This can be going for a hike at a park you've never been to, attending a local open mic night, even simply going for a walk down a road you haven't been down.

You can't expect for things to change in your life if you don't do something significantly different. People are afraid to change their habits, especially those who are really stuck in a rut. But you are much more likely to experience something that shifts your perspective and mindset if you change your pattern.

Doing something small can make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things. Letting go of that persistent self-deprecating thought can allow you the space to make the decision to attend an event you normally wouldn't have, which may lead to meeting new friends or discovering what's possible within yourself.

We are the recipe of our genetics, thoughts, and behaviors. As of now, we can't consciously change our genetic code, so if we want to experience a different outcome in our life the only way to do so is to change our thoughts and behaviors.

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All uncredited pictures from pixabay.com or my personal account

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