Whether it’s the blues, or something is bothering you, the result is the same: you do not feel good. And, when you do not feel good, it’s always almost impossible to do what you need to do (whether it’s work or personal tasks).
Different strokes for different folks, of course, but here are some proven ways that will help you to quickly chase the blues away. Or at least calm you down so that you can go about your business.
1. Listen to feel-good music.
Music is the language of the soul, and while we all have different tastes in music, there will certainly be that one song (or artist) that makes you feel better no matter what. I’d like to share one song by U2 that has been my default feel-good music for more than a decade now. Maybe you’ll like it, too.
2. Look at beautiful pieces of art.
Art is another thing that soothes the soul. This is one good reason to have an inspiring image at work. Whenever you feel irritated, overwhelmed, or simply down, gazing for some minutes (or as long as you need) at an inspiring image can bring back the balance you need.
That’s why I suggest investing in pieces of art that you can hang up – at work or at home. You may be thinking how expensive this can be, but this should not be the case. There are many original artists that have amazing works that do not break the bank. For example, you can check here at Saatchi Art for some really interesting original art.
3. Watch short videos that inspire you.
Whether it’s a humorous YouTube video, an inspirational TED talk, or a Pixar short – it doesn’t matter. There are so many videos online, and in truth, they can serve as distractions, but in case you need to chase those blues away quickly, have a list of shorts that you can refer to as your default pick-me-upper. Here’s one that never fails to cheer me up.
http://youtu.be/9IYRC7g2ICg
4. Send a message to a friend.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up. – Mark Twain
That’s all that should be said, yeah? You’re feeling down? Send a nice or encouraging message to a friend. It doesn’t have to be long – even a simple “I’m thinking of you, and I hope you’re doing well” can make a world of difference, both for you and your friend.
5. Go out and take a short walk.
A change of scenery always does you good. If you’re stuck inside four walls, and you’re feeling really down, the chances are that outside air will help. Even if it’s city air.
Take a walk for 5-15 minutes, and see how much better you’ll feel when you get back.
6. Work with your hands.
Sometimes, manual labor is the answer to edginess and restlessness. Since I work from home, I have a lot of options when it comes to these. I have found that sweeping, mopping, and polishing the floor chase the blues away like nothing else. If I still need more time, I do the dishes or clean the cupboard.
At the end of the day, there are so many things you can do to chase the blues away, but it all starts with you wanting to do so.
Originally posted on April 9, 2014 @ 7:00 am
