Last Updated on April 28, 2023

If you own a case of the blahs, you might not feel like doing much of anything. Straightforward disposition-altering strategies can turn your blahs into rahs however, says life coach Steve Chandler, of Gilbert, Ariz., and the author of more than 30 books including 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself: Change Your Life Forever. Able to escape your funk? Try these five expert-approved melancholy-busters.

Depression Buster #

Feeling blue? “Do something with your body,” Chandler says. “People wait to be motivated to proceed, take a walk, go dancing, or do something that requires the usage of their body, but when the body moves and individuals do things like grin, laugh, sing, or dance, it shifts their mood drastically.”

Do not wait until you feel like singing, dancing, or smiling — this strategy works the other way around. Dance to it and put some music on, Chandler advises. In case you are feeling funny about hitting on the floor alone, go out to get a walk through a neighborhood that is favorite or try a fun action like indoor rock climbing.

Depression Buster #2: Keep Your Chosen Melodies on Pat

“Music has a way of really changing our disposition,” Chandler says. “Create a mixture of tunes that consistently makes you happy and excited — don’t just wait until you hear them on the radio.” Conduit in your playlist wherever you go, whether it is through your iPod or burning a CD that you can play in your car or truck along the way to work.

Depression Buster #3: Celebrate You!

“Go out and buy yourself something that you do not really need but think is cool to have,” Chandler says. It does not need to be expensive or excessive — it can be something as simple as a bunch of stickers that reminds you of your childhood or a tabloid magazine filled with rumor about your favourite reality TV stars. Set aside “me time” to enjoy your guilty pleasure.

Depression Buster #4: Reach Out and Touch Someone

All of us have individuals that are certain, whether old friends or family members, who only make us feel better. “Call one of them and say ‘Hi, I only wanted to see how you’re doing’ and pretty soon, you’ll be grinning and laughing,” says Chandler.

Melancholy Buster #5: Say the Favorable First

“Challenge yourself to state the favorable before the negative,” says Alan Manevitz, MD, a clinical associate professor at Payne Whitney-Weill Cornell Medical Center and an attending psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian and Lenox Hill Hospitals in New York City. As an example, instead of instantly saying how much you hate your job, try saying, “I have an excellent life. I am fortunate that I am working, but I hate my job.” Dwelling on the negative does not help anyone, but focusing on the positive can change the way you look at things.

Dr. Manevitz includes that healthful lifestyle alternatives or changes can also make a difference. This consists of getting the correct amount of sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and participating in regular exercise.

Be Sure to Check Your Pulse About Depression

Inspirational strategies and quotations might be helpful if you have mild depression, but you’re likely to need therapy, drug, or both, for those who have signs and symptoms of major depression.

Signals your instance of the blues might be more serious include:

• Depressed or empty feeling
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Significant fat loss or weight gain
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Trouble focusing
• Persistent thoughts of death or suicide

Contact your physician right away for an exhaustive evaluation should you see any of these changes in yourself.