Self Care When You Feel Off

On the days that you wake up and just aren’t feeling it, you need self care practices that will help you rediscover your joy. Depression can creep up on us when we least expect it. You might feel raw and vulnerable for reasons you can’t place your finger on, which might make you reluctant to embrace and experience the day. While there are times where staying in bed is the self care that we need, it is more likely that we need to step outside our bubble and find things that we can be passionate about, even if they appear mundane.

“I have to face life with a newly found passion. I must rediscover the irresistible will to learn, to live and to love.”

Andrea Bocelli

What do I do when I feel depressed?

Stepping outside our bubble is easier said than done. Working with depression requires resilience and strength. The depressed brain likes to say things like “What’s the point anyway?” Knowing why these different self care tools are beneficial is helpful in counteracting that. When you’re feeling particularly blue, you can do the following:

• Move through your emotions with exercise. It is incredibly healing to get in touch with the body through exercise. Sometimes, when we experience heavy emotions, they get stuck in our body, and cause us physical pain and keep us from moving forward. When you move your body, you release the stuck energy and are better equipped to deal with whatever else comes up throughout the day. That’s because exercise boosts the endorphins in your body, which is a natural way to alleviate depression. If you’re exercising in nature, you get the added benefit of appreciating the beauty of the world around you. This perspective is needed when you’re feeling off. You need to be able to find the things that help you remember your oneness with the universe. 
• Connect with other people. When we feel off, we can isolate ourselves from others. Maybe we believe that our presence will kill the vibe, or that others don’t actually want us around. This causes us to feel even more depressed. It’s important for us to remember our connectedness with other humans. In DBT, one of the building blocks to self-compassion is common humanity. Common humanity is the idea that everyone has struggled through something and felt the pain that we have felt. Even if they are not feeling it in the same way as we do, or have the exact same experience as we are having, they still have felt a similar pain, which is important to remember when we feel isolated and alone. 
• Sit in the sun and eat a banana. This sounds a little too simplistic. I’m having an existential crisis. Can sitting outside and eating a banana really solve my problems?? What it means is that you might be feeling off because you’re deficient in certain vitamins. Starting your day off sitting in the sun gives you vitamin D and boosts your energy. Bananas also have magnesium, which is calming for your nervous system. Sitting outside is also important because you’re giving your brain fresh oxygen. In order to take care of your mental health, you need to meet your basic needs. 

How can I find my passion again?

When we forget what we are passionate about, we start to feel off. Rediscovering your passion is like finding a missing puzzle piece; suddenly, the world clicks back into place and you feel a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. Here are some ways to reignite that spark:

• Embrace the power of play. Remember how much fun you had playing as a kid? Rediscover that joy! Adult coloring books, silly putty, building a blanket fort – anything that brings back a sense of lightheartedness can be therapeutic. Embracing the power of play can even be as simple as having a sense of wonder about the world around you, and using your imagination about the things that you see. Novelty and passion can be cultivated this way. 
• Become an explorer. Remember the thrill of discovering new things as a kid? You can rekindle that by becoming an explorer of the mundane. Explore local parks, museums you haven’t been to, or even a different neighborhood. Through playful exploration, you can spark passion through novelty and stepping out of your ordinary routine.
• Channel your creativity. Doodling, painting, writing – any form of creative expression can be a powerful tool for managing difficult emotions and rediscovering your passion. Let your imagination run wild, without judgment. You’ll surprise yourself with what your mind comes up with. If it feels like too much pressure to make something, enjoy the physical aspect of the paintbrush gliding down your canvas, or whatever medium you are using. 

 If you feel stuck on your healing journey, working with a therapist can help. Based on your needs, our intake specialist will help you get matched up with your perfect therapist. Click here to schedule a consultation.

Starting with a creative written voice and a BA in English from ASU, Alli Cravener has become so much more than Integrative Counsel’s voice! Not only is she a writer who is passionate about connecting concepts and content, Alli is also currently a grad student working towards her Master’s in Counseling. She is also the editor-in-chief, office manager, AND intake specialist at Integrative Counsel. When you call us, you’ll talk to Alli! Alli’s interests include painting, history, learning about other people, and wearing the color pink. She likens herself to a “mouse in a palm tree”, and she loves it that way.