This list can also be called : 7 Things to Help You Through the Down Days
Even if you don’t have depression, we all have ups and
downs. It’s just life. There are warm summer days, and then there are the WHY
IS IT COLD OUTSIDE, ITS JULY days. Or my favorite “I’m a weightlifting tool-bag”
example, some days at the gym are great, and some days aren’t. Some days are beautiful, some days are not. You are gonna
get both.
Either on Pinterest, a
file on your computer, cut and paste it on a poster board to keep on your wall,
or all of the above! Life gets draining sometimes, and when those moment rear
their ugly heads, I just go to my Pinterest and peruse through it. I keep
quotes, things I find to be absolutely beautiful, things that just feel very
Sarah-y. For example, mine has vintage Dior ads, big 1960s hair, mermaids,
loads of Audrey Hepburn, my favorite flower (poeny) and favorite animals (foxes
and puppy corgis). I paint a great deal, so I also have a separate file of art
inspiration of how I want my style to be, and those help, as well. The great
thing about these boards is you can add to them constantly, keeping the flow of
inspiration going. Let the positivity pool in!
2. 2. Follow
positive and inspirational people and groups on Facebook, Twitter, etc
We are all guilty, we are on social medias too much.
I’m super guilty, growing up with some of my best friends in completely
different countries, it’s a great way to connect. But Facebook has actually
been proven to cause depression:
So something that I do to counter act that is I follow positive people on Facebook, so when I am mindlessly scrolling through my newsfeed, rather than hearing about someone getting a coke at 7/11 at 3 am, I find people chasing their dreams and telling me how they did it. And almost everyone I have ever known who are chasing their dreams want you to chase yours, too, and are extremely supportive for you. They don't sit there and say you can't, because you can, all you need to do is get up and do it. I want to be a writer, so I follow about a dozen writing and literary pages and every day I get advice, blogs, statistics, jobs, and opportunities posted on my Facebook. Much better than a soda run update, huh?
Communication is only about
7% words http://www.nonverbalgroup.com/2011/08/how-much-of-communication-is-really-nonverbal/.
That means 93% of the world is being ignored when you are texting or scrolling
away. (Plus it’s super rude to be with people and have your phone out). When
your phone is out, you are constantly connected to the social media (which as
pointed above, makes people feel alienated), why not get that other 93% of
communication you need? You don’t even have to talk, just the company is
relaxing. Sometimes I just like to sit in a coffee shop and people watch – not
to judge them or make fun of them which is sadly a trend, but to just observe. People
are fascinating, and life is very interesting. Even if you aren’t around
people, just look at nature. How the pigeon’s feathers gleam like stained
glass, or the shimmering of trees like falling emeralds. It’s beautiful
outside, don’t let it get past you.
4. 4. Treat
yourself
Things don’t always go
according to plan. That’s life. And on those days, I walk (yes, walk) about 5
blocks to get Starbucks and walk back. Without looking at my phone. The walk
itself is calming. I can just shut my brain off and think. Or I call up my dad
or best friend and just catch up. Just don’t get hit by a car, or a biker, or a
runner (I have these problems were I live). We are all only human, and when you
are feeling down, pick yourself up. As Audrey Hepburn once said,
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have
two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
You know what you love,
and the fact that you made yourself happy makes that coffee even sweeter.
Having that sort of independence is empowering, embrace it!
5. 5. Watch
a guilty pleasure movie.
Nobody needs to know,
this is when headphones are magical. Some movies are actually like a big hug. One
of my favorites is Castle in the Sky, which is a Hayao Miyazaki film about two
kids and a castle that floats in the sky. The story is wonderful, the scenery
is magical, the message is strong, and the characters are complex and funny.
One of my friends watches New Moon, because she says the movie feels like it’s
okay that you are down, and sits next to you until you are ready to get up,
which has always helped her get up before the movie is over. Then again, she
does have a huge crush on Taylor Lautner and he is shirtless in it, so that
might play a part in it. Once again, nobody needs to know what you are
watching. Do what makes you happy.
Oh, Taylor.
6. 6. Try
to relax at least 20 minutes a day
When we are stressed out, our body releases all sorts
of chemicals to help us with the Fight or Flight (or Freeze). One of these
chemicals is Cortisol. Cortisol “interferes with learning and memory, lower
immune function and bone density, increase weight gain, blood pressure,
cholesterol, heart disease,” and the list continues.
“Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels also
increase risk for depression, mental illness, and lower life expectancy.” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201301/cortisol-why-the-stress-hormone-is-public-enemy-no-1
(Trying not to scare you here) But 20 minutes of deep
relaxation will help reduce the levels of cortisol in the body, and it calms
the body down so it stops producing it for a little while.
7. 7. Write
out your goals of life and put them somewhere you will see them every day.
For me, my list is:
- Be a novelist,
- Become a professor
- Look like Paige Hathaway
- Be an elegant, graceful lady
- Be kind to all, trust few, do wrong to none.
Remember, we are all human. We all make mistakes, and
you need to forgive yourself for it. You are a strong, wonderful, capable human
being that has been through heartache, pain, tragedy, and trials. You can do
whatever it is you want to do, you just have to prove it to yourself.
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