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Monday, January 14, 2013

10 ways to defunkify your day

After some discussion on the 4th Frog Facebook page, it seems that several people had a case of the Mondays going on today, where they were just feeling in a funk.

Some days are like that, aren't they? I know I've been there. So I started thinking about what I do to defunkify my day. Here are some things that work for me:

  1. Have a good cry. You know, one of those ugly cries like Meg Ryan had in "When Harry Met Sally" when Sally found out that her former boyfriend was getting married. Or an even uglier cry, like Julia Roberts had in Truvy's beauty salon in "Steel Magnolias."
  2. Watch a favorite movie. It doesn't have to be a funny movie, necessarily. Just one that is so familiar to you, it feels like putting on a cozy sweater. For me, it's "The Holiday" or one of the two noted in #1.
  3. Eat ice cream. Not the relatively healthy soft-serve stuff. I'm talking the Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby or Jerry Garcia.
  4. Go for a walk/run/bike ride. I know, it's totally counter to #3, but the truth of the matter is, sometimes exchanging mass quantities of oxygen and carbon dioxide in my lungs makes the rest of me feel better, too.
  5. Color. Pick up the crayons and a coloring book and color. Markers won't do it. Colored pencils, maybe. And it has to be a coloring book. Drawing my own pictures is too much pressure when I'm in a funk.
  6. Phone a friend. It probably won't net you a million dollars, but it will likely help lift the funk.
  7. Pump up the jams. (That's listen to music for those of you not quite as hip as me...insert totally embarrassed teenager here...) My choice to break out of a funk is either show tunes or praise & worship music. But if Florence & the Machine or Led Zeppelin work for you, go for it.
  8. Treat yourself -- a mani/pedi, a trip to Target or the Hallmark store all by your lonesome, a new pair of shoes. Don't break the bank to do it, but if there is any way you can give yourself a little retail therapy, it can help.
  9. Take a long hot bath or shower and wash the day away. Something about stepping out of the shower all clean and warm gives me a little lift.
  10. Pray. I know, it should probably #1 on the list. I'm working on that. Pray. Out loud. Silently. With a friend. In a church. In your car. Memorized prayers. Whatever is on your heart. I can't promise it will work as instantly as ice cream, but it will probably stick with you longer. 
Oh, and if you've been in a funk for a while and none of the above seem to work, then please consider this last one:

11. Pop a pill. I'm not advocating illegal self-medication. Sometimes what we think might just be a funk is really true depression, which is not weakness. It's a real, medical condition that has real, medical options for treatment. After trying to white-knuckle my way through the past three months or so, I finally waved the white flag of sanity and am back to taking an antidepressant. It doesn't take away those things that were putting me in a never ending funk, but it does allow me to cope with them better. 

Is there something I missed that is a good way to break the fog of a funk? Please, share what works for you.

9 comments:

Eternal Lizdom said...

There with you but going a different route. I've not dealt with depression before but it was way more than a fun so I knew I needed help - http://eternallizdom.blogspot.com/2013/01/fighting-back.html

I am working with my doctor and with EAP at work and with a ministry at church for support.

kimybeee said...

i am all about 11 - with a whole lot of 10 thrown in!!!! the weather and the people around me really affect my mood. that is why i love my critters so - they love me no matter what and nothing is happier than a warm fuzzy!!

Eileen said...

I always forget how uplifting music can be until I find myself in the car, radio on, and suddenly in a better mood.

Michelle said...

I read it when you first posted it to facebook and just put it in my "stuff to save" mail folder when it came through email. Awesome list. Thanks.

Brenda H said...

Those are awesome tips!! I have given up the ice cream for the walk, but love picking up the phone and just talking it out. Sometimes crying is the option I go with on a REALLY bad day.

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Unknown said...

Great ideas! I've had the week, weeks of well way down south of Hades! Guess there is only one way left to go right? Thanks for the smile!

Nate's Mom said...

This is a great post. I love your tips, right down to #11. Been there, done that. I hope you feel better.

Nate's Mom said...

I love your tips, right down to #11. Been there, done that.I hope you feel better my friend.