How To Get Out Of A Funk

Remember how normal things were before the year 2020? Yeah, I don't either.

Like many this year, I have found myself in a bit of a funk from time to time.

These days, it seems that just when things begin to stabilize, another unforeseen event creates a new ocean of uncharted waters. 

The unforeseen creates turbulence that is disrupting our confidence in our plans like never before.

So, it is valid and understandable why so many of us get in a funk from time to time as worldly ways continue to throw us curveballs. Here are a few simple tricks to turn that frown upside down in just a matter of minutes.

If your circumstance is extreme, waste no time reaching out to resources like MentalHealth.gov or The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Here are a few tips we've found to be helpful to get out of a funk. Consider these if you are looking for inspiration to move you forward from a short season of funk.

Schedule It

With unprecedented times, comes uncertainty. 

Do you see anything exciting on your calendar in the near future? For most, the answer is no. Most destination trips, concerts, special events, etc. have been canceled or postponed indefinitely.

Before the CoronaVirus, our calendars looked like pieces of art with various colors highlighting numerous activities as well as the anticipated Paid Time Off for our destiny vacation.

Today, many social calendars look like a blank white canvas eager for a special event to take up space.

Often, joy and meaning is the hope we have for the future.

So, if we do not see anything exciting to look forward to in our future, we unknowingly will fall into a funk.

Schedule something exciting in your social calendar every couple of weeks to look forward to even if it is small.

Examples could be a hiking trip on Saturday with the kids, a drive-in movie, organizing digital pictures from all of your devices and installing on a digital frame for the family to enjoy, take a virtual trip with a friend, schedule a recurring time to learn a musical instrument, plan a mountain biking trip, schedule an online cooking course, schedule time to write a book, learn a new dance style, schedule an unplanned road trip, take time to train and spend time with your dog, and so much more. 

Get creative and schedule small things that will get you excited to look forward to soon and often!

Unplug

Online platforms are addicting! Studies have shown that social media leads people into depression and a funk.

Addiction to digital connections is also causing many to drift from healthy human interactions into an unhealthy funk.

We do not need statistics to tell us that we need to disconnect. But, we do need reminders about why it is important to disconnect.

Here are just a couple of reminders why it is essential to unplug for extended periods:

Today, social media feeds leave many people with thoughts of envy or jealousy from others posting what appears to be a more comfortable life. Leading us into a funk that our life is not exciting or good enough. In reality, most users are posting nothing more than kodak moments, and their life is typically more chaotic than ours.

Unplug from all news for a minimum of 1 month, and you will improve your health and feel better. If you have not figured it out by now, the news is not even close to what is happening in the real world. Consistently checking in on the news is detrimental to your mental and physical health. 

Digital distraction, if unrestricted, can make us numb. Numerous studies show that Internet addiction can be as addictive and harmful as cocaine, alcohol, and other dangerous substances. 

Just unplugging from these two alone will quickly get you out of a funk.

Spontaneity 

A common reason people get in a funk is boredom. When our surroundings do not change often, we get stuck in a rut leaving us in a funk.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to become hostages within their own homes for extended periods leaving very little room for spontaneity.

Others are in a funk because they are stuck in a relationship, a lousy job, or caring for an elderly loved one day-to-day, and their life has become mundane.

Structure in our life is good for personal development, but too much of the same thing every day can leave us unmotivated and uninspired. Change your routine. Many people do not like change, but change is inevitable to get out of a funk. 

Examples of spontaneity could be taking a different route to work, mow on Thursday evening rather than the usual Saturday morning, take an unplanned road trip, discover new music to listen to in the car, go for a walk, read a book by the lake, go on a nature walk at lunch instead of with co-workers, call a loved one you don't talk to often, try a different food you've never tried before, try something you are scared of, or try a new sporting event.

Get creative! Spontaneity activities vary from person to person. By doing something different today, tomorrow, and the following day's you will quickly find yourself inspired to add more spice to your life, and you'll be out of your funk in no time.

How to Get Out of a Funk

We all get in a rut from time to time, as it is a normal part of life. If you are in a funk, try one of the activities listed to change things up. Changing things up is often the key enough to getting us out of a funk.

Are you ready to explore other self-development strategies to succeed in business and life? Book a discovery call with Michael Morrison today.