3 Proven Strategies for Breaking Out of a Gloomy Spell

Is there a message in your body?

Image by Silviu on the street from Pixabay

Got the blues?

And feel like they’re taking just a little more time than they should to shake off?

I’m not talking about clinical depression. That needs higher level attention — possibly therapy and medication.

But everyone gets the blues. And, sometimes — for myriad reasons — they can hang about, causing us to worry that we’re depressed, or spiralling somewhere unhealthy.

Often, we’re not. And we shouldn’t rush to “medicalise” or “label” very normal, very common feelings.

But, when the blues bite for prolonged periods, it’s good to have some go-to strategies in your pocket to turn yourself in a lighter, brighter direction.

Here are three evidence-based goodies.

Quit the fight

Got something you don’t want? Worn-out clothes, old furniture, a friendship that’s turned toxic? It’s a very human response to want to get rid of it.

So when we have thoughts and feelings we don’t want, the first thought (beyond “yuk, I feel bad”) is often “how can I get rid of these?” And getting rid of them becomes the mission.