Written by Dr. Eric Perry, PhD
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ~Albert Einstein
We all have bad days. Have you ever had the kind of day that makes you think, “What is it all about?” We might start questioning our jobs and even our lives. Pretty soon we find ourselves spiraling into sadness. It is important not to get stuck in a whirlpool of negativity. Always keep moving forward because tomorrow will be a better day.
Here are 7 ways to uplift your mood:
1. Acknowledge your feelings
Start by asking yourself on a scale of one to ten how bad do you feel? Accept where you are emotionally. Don’t resist how you are feeling. Denying your feelings only keeps you in the current mental state. It might even make it worse. Think of denial as a dam that disrupts the flow of a river. In order to process how you feel you must remove the mental dam before you can move forward.
2. Don’t catastrophize
When we feel like we have done something wrong we may begin to imagine the worst possible outcome. For example, perceived rudeness by your employer can easily be catastrophized into thinking you are about to be fired. Take a moment to reframe your thinking. Acknowledge that perhaps your boss is having a bad day and his or her actions are not personally directed at you. Stay in the moment and don’t let your happiness be sabotaged by a need to predict the future.
3. Stop ruminating
It is important to avoid replaying negative images or scripts in your mind. It is pointless to keep telling yourself you should have acted differently or you shouldn’t have said this or that. You can not travel back in time to change the past so why dwell on what cannot be changed? Accept the day as it occurred and remember that you did your best. And, no matter what anyone says, your best is ALWAYS good enough. Again, stay in the moment. Life is full of lessons. Don’t beat yourself up over perceived missteps. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
4. Reach out to others
Don’t isolate yourself after a bad day. When we are having a tough time, we might want to close off and avoid people. It is important to know the difference between healthy alone time and complete isolation. Talk to someone that cares about you. It helps to get someone else’s point of view. By sharing with others what you are going through you can be reminded that you are not alone.
5. Make a list of what makes you happy
Take a moment and write down 5 things that make you happy. As you make the list, visualize the happiness you feel when you experience the things you are listing. You will be surprised how much better you feel when you get to the bottom of the list. If you decide to do this please feel free to share your list in the comments section below!
6. Treat yourself
After a hard day it is important to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself to something nice. This does not mean to go buy yourself some new material possession. Self-kindness can take many forms. It can be a long hot bath or a long walk. Do something nice for yourself!
7. Let’s hear from you
What would you like to add to this list? It is always nice to hear thoughts and reflections from my dear readers!
The thoughts expressed in this blog post are my own and are not meant to create a professional relationship with the reader. This blog does not replace or substitute the help of a medical professional. Please note, I am unable to answer your specific questions as I am not fully aware of all of the circumstances.
Kindly,
Dr. Perry
“I help ambitious and high achieving individuals manifest a life of success and fulfillment in order to achieve the life they truly desire.”
Dr. Eric Perry | drericperry.com
© 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I keep a list of soothing activities, and try to do them as often as I can. I highly recommend cooking classes and massages. 🙂
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Great recommendations and thank you for the comment! ✨
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I would like to add getting enough sleep. Sometimes, we are more likely to feel irritable and we get tired easily when we don’t get good sleep. I always feel more positive and energized when I get 7-8 hours of sleep. ☺
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I agree. My bad moods are normally tied to high stress, low sleep feeling exhausted.
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Thank you for sharing Nina! ✨
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You’re welcome! ☺
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That is spot on suggestion 🙂
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Thank you Nina!
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I particularly love the ‘reach out to others tip’. I however practice reaching out to others who need to be reached out to. By so doing, I realise that I am not alone in my situation and I feel better that someone has been blessed by my reaching out to them,
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Thank you for the comment Ochman! ✨
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Hello Eric. Great post. I struggle with number 3! I go over and over things in my head, if I feel I have made a wrong decision or have upset someone. I am a believer in that our feelings are never wrong or right -they are part of us…we feel what we feel because it’s natural – It is how we manage these feelings that counts…It’s just sometimes difficult to manage them in a way want to! I like the last line of number 3: Learn from your mistakes and move on.
Very refreshing post. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Carly
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Thank you for reading Carly and I hope all is well ✨
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Number 3 is a big one for me. I actually did number 5 a few weeks ago and ended up creating a self-care box with things in that make me happy or smile looking through or engaging with them.
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That’s a wonderful idea! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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Great post Eric. Keep em coming.
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Thank you for reading and your feedback. I appreciate it!✨
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“Do something nice for yourself!” I Agree !
and also for number 4
Seven good tips !
Thank you !
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Thank you for reading and commenting✨
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I will like number 5 with the list of things that make me happy 🙂
1. Writing
2. Talking to people that I love
3. Spending time in prayer/Bible reading
4. Working out
5. Lying down doing absolutely nothing (it relaxes me)
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Wonderful thank you for sharing ✨
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These are the perfect additions to the list. I was going to add ‘pray with gratitude’ but these are all great reminders. I have prayed and completed two daily writing prompts. Now I am going to exercise and start my day.
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That’s awesome!
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These are really good tips you are giving!
Blessing to you.
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Thank you Rose!
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Understand that you are trying your best, and feel satisfaction in that!
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I agree! 🌟
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Great post. Step 4 is so important but we often shy away from doing it enough
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Thank you for reading and commenting✨
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Reblogged this on Just A Little Something and commented:
I am reblogging this post from ‘Make It Ultra’. It lists very helpful, practical, positive foreward movement for days when we struggle. And some days we do! Happy Thursday everyone! 😊
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Thank you!✨
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I do a BODYCOMBAT workout class and punch out all negative feelings. Exercise in general always does the trick for me. It’s just a matter of actually making it to the gym. But once I am there, my mood always gets better.
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Thank you for the comment Giovanna! I am a huge fan of kickboxing workouts too! ✨
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It’s important for me not to run away from the feeling. Observing it helps me not to get sucked in. I’m not the emotion, I’m just experiencing it. All 7 tips were excellent. The worse thing to do is kick yourself when you’re already down. Exercise helps too. Gets me out of my head.
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I couldn’t agree more ✨ thank you for the comment!
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Thanks for this. Helpful. Was feeling a bit down but this helps. 🙂
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My pleasure 💫
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Write a list of everything good that happened that day!
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Great tip! Thank you for sharing!
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Reblogged this on Just Brittany Moments and commented:
I am sharing this post by MakeItUltra about 7 Ways To Uplift Your Mood. Definitely a great read!
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Thanks for the tips! I just reblogged your post and will be sharing to my Facebook as well! Thank you for sharing. You are helping a lot of people! 👍🏾
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Thank you Brittany! I appreciate it✨✨✨
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Thank you! I needed this today 👏🏼👏🏼😊
~The Silent Wave Blog writer/Laina 🌟🌟
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Hi Laina, I am glad this helped! Have a wonderful day and thank you for reading ✨✨✨
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Thank you so kindly, my friend! 👍🏼😊❤️
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This post came just in time! Corporate life has had me down and it’s tough to stay focused on the happy sometimes. I’m a fan of writing and listening to some great, mellow music to uplift my spirits.
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I am glad this post was helpful Jamal ✨ Best wishes!
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All beautiful and such great reminders.
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on ladyleemanila and commented:
great tips from Eric 🙂
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Thank you!
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A workout never fails to lift my mood. There’s something satisfying about lifting heavy things and the endorphins are a plus 🙂
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I agree Ally! Thank you for commenting 😊
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Indeed. But sometimes it’s hard to fight with mind. I myself try to involve in more works, creativity and try to do exercise. I found myself when i am best in routine every day –
Creativity
Jobs done
Exercise
And healthy foods. But continue keeping balance or following as per schedule is tough job.
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Wishing you the best in maintaining your routines ✨ thank you for the comment!
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Thank you
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I want to Thank You. Today this is exactly what I needed. The confirmation of what I do that’s not beneficial to my progress. Ruminator, Isolation and making a List of things that make me Happy!!!
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I am so glad it helped and thank you for your comment! Have a great weekend and start your list😀✨✨✨✨
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In this world we live in we need all the help we can get to lift out mood . Great tips One thing I like to do is just remember if I have a bad day I know there is someone else that is having a worse one, so count your blessings because it could always be worse.
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Very true! Thank you so much for reading and for your comment! Have a great weekend ✨
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Thank you! I really appreciate how you make it easy to follow and utilize the steps you’ve found helpful in uplifting and Self-awareness ❤ . It's refreshing.
I particularly like your tip on stopping ruminating – that one really helps me, and it's a continual practice. A few other things that help me to uplift my mood:
Exercise (especially running)
Breathing – even just 3 deep breaths
Meditation
Having a good laugh.
Thanks again, and many blessings to you,
Debbie
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Thank you for the positive feedback and for sharing these helpful tips Debbie! ✨
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Number 3 – Great point! And Number 5 – my list of Smiles is always growing! Thank you for this post.
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Thank you for your positive feedback! ✨
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This is probably off topic but related, how do you overcome panic attacks? I’ve always had to hold onto another human being, physical contact a baited the attack quicker. What other solutions do you suggest?
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There are many approaches to panic attacks such as deep breathing, counting your breath or describing shapes and colors that are visible in your immediate area. All of these are intended to bring the mind back to the frontal lobe (the solution center of the brain) and away from the amygdala (the fight or flight center). I believe these strategies can be effective however this is still just symptom management. The Mind Map System that I use in my practice addresses and dismantles the ’cause’ of the panic attacks. From my experience as people begin to uncover the root cause of the panic attacks they experience them less. Think of symptom management of panic attacks similarly to using a bandaid. The Mind Map is like deep surgery.
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Thank you very much. I appreciate your answer. I rarely get panic attacks now, and it’s always related to being smothered as a child. I know this, can’t understand why it continues. Pretty sure I’ve resolved all the issues from then. Again, thank you so much. You seem very caring and warm. I appreciate that too.
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Great words of so much inspiration and truth in all your words. Life sure is like a bicycle moving as we want it to.
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Thank you for your kind words! ✨
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A really helpful post!
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Thank you! ✨
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Taking time out to walk in nature has always helped me. Also, taking control of my thoughts and turning the channel in my brain towards the positive has been necessary as well.
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Great insight! When I’m down, I try to find a song. It instantly takes my mind off of what I’m going through and sooner than later I find myself dancing. Who can be angry when dancing? 🙂
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So true! Thank you for commenting! ✨
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I need to bookmark this post. So helpful
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So much of this rings true with me. I spend a lot of my time both at work and as a volunteer ensuring that people and children feel included & valued. Over the past few weeks, I’ve realised it’s ok to invest in my own wellbeing as much as others’. Self acceptance and giving myself guilt-free time outs has done wonders for my physical and mental health.
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Great tips to remember, especially stop ruminating. We can’t change the past, but every day is a chance for a fresh start! 😊
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Very true! Thank you for commenting! ✨
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Thank you for your post – read this at just the right moment. Have spent all weekend ruminating about something that happened on Friday. What’s helped me? Doing the gardening – very calming. Exercise – always lifts my mood. And hugging the people who love me for who I am, not what I achieve. Very best to you.
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Great read and helpful! What really spoke to me is the point ‘Stop Ruminating.’ For me that is a very essential aspect. Thanks for sharing.
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Reblogged this on Perfectlyfadeddelusions.
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Great tips. I agree with a few other responders that it’s crucial to find something you really enjoy, such as being creative or working out. And then make yourself do it even if you’re not the in the mood! Always takes your mind off the rubbish stuff.
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Very true! Thank you for the comment! ✨
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Reblogged this on Hunt's Clubhouse and commented:
Some great tips! 🙂
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Thank you!
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Great suggestions to put in play.
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Smile Circulation and commented:
*Adds doing something nice for somebody else, even a small gesture can uplift the moods of both parties
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I am adopting most of those ideas with some level of success. Nice article!
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Glad this helps! And thank you so much for your comment✨
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Hi, really love this, going to start taking some of this onboard, can I reblog please?
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Yes of course and thank you!
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Great tips! I like the “don’t catastrophize”. That is such a good one. And thank you for adding “treat yourself” we( or maybe just me) do not do that often enough after a bad day.
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You are not alone Anne! Thank you for commenting 🙂
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Thank you!
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An exceptional blog: relevant and kind.
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Thank you Cheryl!
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This is very insightful read. 🙂 I don’t understand why I struggle with number 3 because although I stop ruminating, the unpleasant events just keep on reappearing—triggered by people who had been hard on me perhaps. 😦
On the other hand, I have read a part from Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places and the characters there like to write the wonderful things on paper then post it on the wall while they crumple the papers with negative things written on it.
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Great post, thank you! Some super helpful ideas there. We truly are our own worst enemy at times huh with our constantly self-critical thoughts. Funny humans!
Here’s my ‘5 things that make you happy’ list:
1) Singing, loudly to my Spotify playlists, not caring whether I hit the right notes or if someone can hear me.
2) Drawing and colouring using my lovely Staedtler triplus fineliners (this is not an advert!)
3) Spending time with my daughter, watching her draw and listening to her chats are mind blowingly refreshing when I let myself be in the moment with her.
4) Spending quality time with my partner, even if just for a minute or two. Again, just being in the moment, not thinking about the past or an imagined future, just enjoying each other’s company.
5) Eating delicious, nutritious food makes my body and me soooo happy. Simple things like warm toast, fresh nettle tea, a delicious green smoothie, mmmmmm, yum!
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Thank you for your comment and I love your list!
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I’ll definitely do these. Thanks for this!
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Great! Thank you so much for your comment✨
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What would I like to add to this list? Mindfulness. Over time I’ve established a 15 minute practice which I do most days, and one benefit is that it helps me identify what’s really bothering me when I feel down or annoyed or whatever. After a while, especially if one incorporates a quick ‘body scan’, one gets to know the feelings in the body, and if one comes near to them in a kindly manner, it’s surprising what one can learn. I just let them be, and become the ‘companion’ of those feelings, and sometimes in their own good time they express as emotions that manifest as words. Those emotions tell me what’s at the bottom of some of those ‘not-so-good’ day feelings. I hope that makes sense! People I know who can tend towards irritability when they’re down tell me that cultivating a mindfulness practice like this has helped them identify that sometimes they’re directing their irritation at something that’s not really at the root of their issue. ‘Thinking’ things through isn’t always the answer. ‘Listening’ to what the body and the emotions tell one in the moment can be quite a revelation… and it can stop one fixating on the wrong thing!
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Wow, this post really spoke to me. I know that I’ve struggled with negative thinking in the past. I will definitely work on applying the tips you suggested. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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I’m glad you liked it and thank you for your comment✨ how is law school coming along? What a great accomplishment 💪🏽
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Thanks! Well, I’ve already graduated, but now it’s just the adjusting to the hereafter. The job searching, the networking, geographic locations,… decisions decisions. It can get overwhelming, but that’s why it’s so important for me to read posts like this in order to stay motivated. It’s a tough world out there.
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I also find meditation helps immensely! As does listening to dhamma talks by spiritual teachers like Ajahn Brahm and reading books by Jack Kornfield 😊
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Great suggestions! Thank you🙏🏼✨
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I definitely needed to read this tonight! Great post thank you!
I’m really bad at isolating myself, when I’m hurting I tend to hide away.
Thank you for a great post!
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I nominated you for “The Versatile Blogger Award,” and hope you accept my nomination. The rules are in my most recent post: The Versatile Blogger Award – Eternal Waking Beauties
https://eternalwakingbeauties.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/the-versatile-blogger-award/
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Thank you so much🙏🏼✨
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Your work is beautiful. You deserve it!
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No worries!
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Great post. #5 is so helpful. We all need a reminder on the good things in our life and what truly makes us happy to appreciate life. For me, that helps uplift my mood.
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Great advice, I sometimes like to take a minute for myself, close my eyes and focus on my breathing. Just living in that peaceful moment gives me a feeling of warmth and contentment
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Great post! Very helpful advice. I might add that when I am feeling down I have to avoid the temptation to eat junk food and fix something healthy. The act of preparing a good meal usually helps cheer me up….doing the dishes..not so much.
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Hi Deborah, thank you! Good point !
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In the morning, on my way to work, I usually took a moment to appreciate the trees, the light.. even the wind on my face. In that way I’m teaching myself to start the day right.
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That’s a wonderful exercise!✨
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Thank you 🙂
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Thanks for sharing, it is a nice reminder and reaffirms things that we might already do or provide suggestions for things to try. Peace and blessings! 🙂
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Appreciating the small things helps – like the sunrise on my morning walk to the station, the flowers I pass, smiling at strangers and greeting them good morning…helps to create a positive modd for the day. Thanks for sharing your post!
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Fabulous blog. Just the reminder i needed not to catastrophize. My mind tries to do that to me a LOT. Eric your compassion really shines out in this post. Thank you.
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Thank you for such kind words ✨
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Very inspiring and motivating!
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Beautiful!!! I’m smiling as I read 😊
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This is interesting as I was reading something somewhat connected this morning. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we are not ‘perfect’ and that ‘yes we will mess up’, yes ‘we will face challenges,losses and many restarts’. Often times it is oh so much easier to ‘forgive’ others than self. We hold ourselves to a different set of standards, which is fantastic but it also makes it even more challenging to tell ourselves ‘it’s okay’ and actually move on. We then end up ruminating and thinking the very worst possible outcomes. So my note to self was ‘This is life, ‘shit’ i.e. errors,mistakes and failures will happen. It’s okay to make mistakes and have crappy days….it’s okay to fall…just remember to refuse to stay down, get up and move forward.’ As Garrison Keillor said “It’s a shallow life that doesn’t give a person a few scars”. So if you have a few scars, it’s a great reminder that you are ‘living’ and that many other ‘beautiful’ out there are proudly wearing scars that show them as awesome warriors!
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Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful reflection ✨
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Look into the face of someone who loves you and remember why they do. Then shower them with love back
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Hello
Very inspiring… thanks for directing towards positive path …
My opinion:
Determination and will power ” Yes ..i can do, it’s a just matter of time.. things will be in my favour at the end of the day” and keep reminding myself that,”i am architecture of my life… I want to enjoy every moment of it” helps in up lifting my mood
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When I have a bad day I use emotional therapy of talking to my friends and family members especially my mom. Recently I have noticed that when I am having a bad day or moment I tend to write something in my phone notepad. Some times it is only words for my new poetry. Doing this, helps me calm down and regain my balance.
Drinking water and chamomile tea also helps.
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Some great advice in here, really enjoyed reading. I’m a particular fan of number 1 and 4. Acknowledging how you feel is so important otherwise you end up with a head in the sand, all your worries building up scenario. And 4, reaching out to others is so important. I feel strongly that more people should talk about their anxiety and or depression but also know that’s difficult. But particularly with anxiety, part of the worry that builds up is that feeling of not feeling normal or trying to hide it from others to seem ‘normal’ but when you acknowledge and share it, and usually find people are actually quite understanding (most of the time!) that’s one less thing to worry about.
I’ve just started a tiny bit of blogging, sharing some of my anxious times from the last 6 months and hopefully tracking changes and sharing tips amongst other things, so it’s good to read others posts for inspiration 😊
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Really enjoyed this piece. I hit a pretty hard point earlier this week, and even just reading this lifted my mood a bit. Thank you!
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I am so glad this helped and that you are in a better place ✨
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Love this list! I think number 4 is such a huge problem for people today (myself included)! It’s too easy to turn on Netflix and ignore our problems. Turn to people who can help support and encourage! It’s so much more uplifting than binge watching some sit-com.
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I have a 5 senses basket. For example, I have dryer sheets. I can smell the pretty fragrance and touch the soft material. I have different types of balls with different textures. I have an old school cd that I can listen to. Recently I added a fidget spinner. My basket is soothing or a good distraction for a couple minutes and then I process my thoughts.
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Your “5 senses basket” is a wonderful idea!✨
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Thank you. I am in ‘this mode’ 😀Today. Good that I found ur article to pull me out. Sometimes just crying out till you can laugh also helps😉🤣
Going to rev log with yours, soon. Thanks again!
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These are all great tips! I know I definitely have issues with having a negative mind, but I’ve been trying to work on it. These will definitely help! A good suggestion I have is I try to end my night by doing some yoga for 15-25 minutes. It helps calm me down and relax my body and mind. I may not be great at it but I sometimes get a laugh out of myself while doing it when I fail.
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Reblogged this on MIU Hacks.
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Love this! Especially #4. I find that to be so important!
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Such a helpful post. Loved it.
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Great read! Yesterday was a particularly difficult day. I’ve learned not to run from these feelings. I consider them an indicator and will lean in and figure out what is happening.
I spend too much time alone ( relocated to a small town)
Things that help me are laughing, so I have some shows I watch that will help with that, going outside to do anything; Walk, mow the lawn, play with the dog. etc. listening to classical music, make sure I’ve eaten, call my mom.
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I am so guilty of #2! Very good tips that I will begin following next time I find myself in a rut
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I like this and I really like that you took the time to answer all these people. Good on you! 😊
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Very good article, esp. 1., 2., 3., 4. number.
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Great post! I would like to add: starting the following day with a positive declaration. I find when I wake up and say (actually say aloud to myself or to my husband), “Today is going to be a great day” I do have a great day. It seems small and insignificant, but it works for me!
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No4. The reminder not to isolate is very important. Thx for the supportive post for many. We as ppl must do our best to stay afloat and floating …. 🦄😊
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Lovely list! 🌼
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Thank you for the valuable tips Dr Perry 🙂
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You are most welcome✨
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The only thing I would add to the list is meditation; taking a few minutes just to breath deeply, acknowledge but not dwell on your thoughts and gradually calm your body and mind. Works pretty well for me when I’m feeling down:O) Other than that the list is pretty much perfect!
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Thank you! Wonderful addition✨
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Definitely all helps in rejuvenating one’s mood !! Wonderfully expressed each and every point
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Thank you! Have a wonderful day✨
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You are welcome and wish you the same
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Such a great post and very timely. I had a bad day today and spiralled downwards. I used many of your suggestions, writing, remembering what I’m grateful for and I contacted a friend. Uplifting music also helped. Thanks for all the reminders.
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Talking to others is a huge help for me on those negative days. I also like to do some sort of exercise or meditation.
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Hi,
Easing your mind is so important, at the right time and stage you can prevent so much potential trouble.
Hope everyone has a great happy day!
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Indeed! Have a great day✨
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Well done!!
Giving flowers to someone else for no reason at all. Being quiet and feeling a breeze on my skin. Baking cookies and eating them warm from the oven, maybe even for dinner! Then giving some away. Music 🎶
Thank you Dr. Perry, have a lovely day 🎶
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Thank you! Have a wonderful day Ellie✨
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This post was actually for fitting for something that happened last night. I suddenly doubted everything around me and clamped up into a really cold nasty person. I did not want to talk to anyone. Communication is obviously key, and not many people have patience long enough to walk you through your coldness into warm comforting arms. I suppose my defense mechanism is to cut off all emotion so I don’t cause myself further pain or anyone else. In the long run though, I end up hurting a lot of people. Im trying to break the dam and figure out how to talk out my feelings instead of shutting up.
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Thanks again for this post!!
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Making a mental checklist of all the good things in my life often helps me get through rough times. Thank you for this post I’ll consider this list next time sadness pays me its inevitable visit.
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1. God 2. Time with my hubby. 3. Encouraging others 4. Reading/Learning 5. Writing.
Enjoyed your post by the way. Lots of great advice there. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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I find that I’m usually about a ten-minute walk from a better mood.
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These are great! I enjoy prayer, going to a park where there is water. I find that water is very healing to my soul, exercise, crying and spending time with my feelings. Between 2013 and 2016, I was hospitalized about 6 or 7 times for depression/schizo-affective disorder. Some of those were quite scary too! But since, I’ve been hospital free for 2017 and 2018. I’m doing so much better and I’m so grateful for that.
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Hi Dottie, I am happy you are doing well! Thank you for your comment and I am glad you liked this post. Have a wonderful day✨
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Browsing through bookstores. Crawling into bed after a long day. Eating mac n’ cheese. Weekends at the beach. Talking to my mom.
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Reading this was very timely! I felt low this week which is unusual for me, and I realise reading your list that I had cut myself off a bit – some of in unintentionally as I was recovering from surgery. For some reason feeling physically weakened got me down, but you’ve got a good lost there and although it takes strength to bounce up and be around people again, there are a few other things I can do until then.
Sometimes you just need to hear a bit of common sense to give you a shove in the right direction.
This was that 😉
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One thing to also do is to stop trying to control everything. There’s only so much we have control over. Don’t stress it. Worry changes nothing.
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It’s a truly uplifting post ! I’d like to add treat yourself with a small piece of cake ! ☺ Thank you so much for sharing this !
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It was a really good one for me..
Never sleep to hide your problems. sleep is not a solution.
I always write my problems and find solutions. when i try to inplement the solutions then i would tare of the problem paper and discard it like how I solve my problems.
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In these uncertain times I find myself using this extra free time off work to connect with myself and my creative projects. I went for a long run last week and stopped by the swing set to indulge my inner child’s love for the swings. It was so glorious to sit on a swing, pump my legs and stare into the sunshine as I went higher and higher. Keeping my focus on my heart and radiating love from the inside out while allowing other feelings to flow through. Not getting stuck upon any one, remaining in the love vibration. Having extra time to meditate more, just sitting with me. Looking on the bright side of all of this is where I find myself.
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Some things to add to the list could be:
8. Get the body moving. Exercise, walk, yoga, swimming. All good to shake off a mood.
9. Watch your favorite comedy show. Laughter is also good medicine.
10. Doing a crossword puzzle.
☺️✨
Top 5 things that make me happy :
1. Listening to the wind blowing between the trees.
2. Cleaning the house while listening to music.
3. Reading a good book.
4. Sitting in a coffee shop and writing.
5. Playing with my dog.
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Burn Bootcamp helps me with anxiety and the ruminating. I wish I had as much energy as my brain does! 😛 Doing crafts and putting on makeup help lower my stress levels (could possibly be in the self care category). Thanks for your post!
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To get out in nature and get some exercise is always good! Unless the weather is horrible … ⛈
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The best cure for my mild depression was to cut “social media” out of my life. I only have this blog to read well thought out ideas, and keep in touch with others who’s hobbies interest with mine; LinkedIn for possible jobs down the line; and Strava to track my athletic progress.
The other thing I do is daily journal my thoughts.
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I meditate and pray. It’s peaceful time with myself that helps me recollect.
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1.Meditation with a running spirtual theme
2.Filling someone’s cup- helping others
3. Exercising
4.Reading
5. Writing
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I needed this today! With the virus social-distancing and being at home with a newborn, my mental health has been taking a hit. Five things that make me happy: Reading, writing (blogs, journaling, working on my novel..anything!), yoga, spending time with my husband and daughter, taking a long bath. I plan on doing all these things today! Thanks for the lovely post.
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Thanks for your great post, it was what I needed to hear right now. Nick
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Making a list of what brings happiness…very crucial one.
Thanks for sharing with us. Amazing list!
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This is insightful. Thank you so much for sharing
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Your work is very positive and uplifting
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I tend to listen to classical music. 🙂
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Something I need to work on – career (toxic people in the workplace) and personal (family). Thanks for the insight.
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I appreciate the analogy of processing your feelings because unprocessed emotions build up like a dam preventing the river to move freely. I find myself practicing processing ‘all’ emotions (not just the pleasant ones) for the first time in my life and it has been so helpful. 💛
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Great tips Dr Eric. I listened to a motivational speaker this week who said “Make your bed every morning. It’s easy and it gives you a sense of accomplishment to start the day on a positive note.” I thought to myself, how simple is that.
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Thank you, Dr. Perry, for these tips. It’s already been a weird January, and I will take these and write them down.
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This is a Great Post! Thanks a lot!
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I love this, I’d like to add something. Spending time with nature and listening to a good music would be helpful. They work best for me and hopefully to you and others. Thank you, Dr. Perry.
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I am normally in a good mood surrounded by good things and good people…I try to remember my blessings when things become negative.
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