I don’t know about you all, but the chaos and just plain weirdness of pandemic life really started to get to me in early 2021. COVID-19 has been such a rollercoaster ride. I am extremely lucky that my family and I have stayed relatively healthy this past year and I know that is not the case for everyone.
While we have kept our physical health, I think the loneliness of quarantine, fear of the unknown, and frustration and sadness of plans gone awry over the past year plus have definitely taken a toll on everyones’ mental health. I felt alright most of 2020, but coming into the new year with no end in sight really hit me. I didn’t feel like my normal, motivated, go-getter self and I hated feeling like I was living in a funk. I’m no doctor or mental health professional, but here are some of the things I’ve re-prioritized in my life to help feel like myself! And just a disclaimer- talk to a therapist if you don’t feel right! You deserve to be the best version of yourself.
1. Get Outside
Vitamin D is lifegiving. I’ve spent so much time cooped up staring at a screen for work, only to stare at it anytime I want to connect with friends or family via facetime or work on my passion projects (um hello healthbyhaven!) By intentionally stepping outside for a sunshine break a few times a day and even making the time to go on a quick lunch walk most days has been a game changer. Billy and I walked A TON at the beginning of quarantine, and it has been really great for me to get back into that routine.
2. Move Your Body
This one goes hand in hand with my lunch walks. Moving your body will make you feel so much better if you’re ever in a funk. You probably won’t want to, but even 20-30 minutes of movement will turn your day around. In the wise words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”
3. Eat Something Healthy
Another suggestion you probably won’t feel like doing, but I PROMISE, fruits and veggies will help pull you out of your funk and processed, sugary, and fried foods will only make it worse. Enough said.
4. Have a Dance Party
Yes, I know dancing could be filed under #2 Move Your Body, but I strongly feel it needs to stand alone. This has been great for me at the end of the work day especially. Since I’m still working from home, it’s really hard to end my work day and truly be able to relax. Now, I turn on an upbeat song (highly recommend going back to some of your childhood and pre-teen faves) and dance it out for 3 minutes. It’s impossible to not be smiling by the end!
5. Watch a Funny Show
This is a great option if it’s rainy out and you can’t go on a walk. Or if you’ve had a super hard workout and you need a good laugh. Some of my favorite comedies are Friends, The Office, Parks and Rec, and New Girl. Guaranteed laughs in every episode.
6. Facetime a Friend or Family Member
I am a huge extrovert, so it’s been really hard for me to be working from home and not seeing friends much. I always, always feel better after a facetime with friends or family. Talking to someone (not on a work call) is a game changer.
7. Get Creative
Creativity is something most adults neglect, and honestly it’s so sad! Think back to your childhood- I’m sure you did a lot of arts and crafts and played a lot of imaginary games (I know I did!). While pretending to be at Hogwarts (a story for another day haha!) or scrapbooking with my friends are no longer my creative outlets of choice, I love to channel that creativity in the kitchen. I also love to pull out the coloring books every once in a while too! It’s surprisingly therapeutic and also super fun. Little kids have it figured out in my opinion haha!
Listen, we are still in totally crazy times. I feel hopeful that our world will return to some kind of normalcy soon (I just got my second COVID vaccine today! Yay science!), but it’s okay if you don’t feel “back to normal” yet. Some days are harder and weirder than others, but I hope these tips can help you get out of your funk on a bad day!
