free ways to feel just a little bit better
it’s been a hard start to the year for a lot of us. post-holiday malaise, seasonal affective disorder, climate catastrophes, political upheaval—having to trudge through daily life with all of those stressors in the background is no small feat, especially if you’re wrestling with any physical or mental illness on top of it all.
but you deserve to feel the tiniest bit better, even if the things bringing you down aren’t always within your control. there are still small areas of your life where you (or a caretaker, if you’re differently-abled and need support to take these steps) can take charge and make your wellbeing more of a priority.
to name a few:
1. take a shower.
when you’re already having a tough day, personal hygiene can feel like an absolute chore. it might seem easier to just change your clothes and add another layer of deodorant & dry shampoo, but that’s not always enough to make you feel as clean and comfortable in your own skin as you’d ideally like to be.
it doesn’t have to be an “everything shower”, by any means—just washing your hair & body, breathing in the steam, and letting the hot water ease some of the tension in your muscles can help to at least make you feel a little less physically stressed or drained.
here are a few other small steps you can take along those same lines:
wash your face (on low days, even a face wipe is better than nothing).
brush your teeth (floss if you have the energy. use mouthwash. hell, if you’re a tongue scraper user, have at it!).
drink a big glass of water.
if you have meds to take, TAKE YOUR MEDS. (@ me)
be gentle with yourself. it’s okay to have days where this is all you’re capable of. but in my experience, this is an area that often falls to the wayside during a low spell, so it’s always the area i try to address first as i begin to pull myself out of it.
2. take a screen break.
let’s face it: even with many of us changing our relationships with social media for the better this year, we’re all still on our phones, desktops, laptops, tablets, e-readers, et al WAY more than is healthy for anyone’s brain.
consider this full permission to step away mid-post. put your phone and computer in another room; don’t use your TV unless it’s to play music you love in the background. whether it’s for five minutes, an hour, or the whole day, direct your attention toward more analog activities, like:
writing out how you’re feeling by hand.
reading a physical book or listening to an audiobook (both of which you can access for free through your local library!).
crafting with whatever supplies you have on hand (knitting, scrapbooking, even just doodling on a piece of paper).
cooking or baking something comforting.
playing or cuddling with a pet.
practicing an instrument.
honestly? crying if you need to. let yourself feel it all and release the energy from your body.
3. talk to someone you love.
dealer’s choice as far as your preferred method of communication! meet up with a friend or family member in person, catch up over text (once you’ve taken that screen break, that is), or plan a longer phone call or video chat with them.
don’t be afraid to get more creative with it—ask a friend if they’d like to become pen pals and write them a letter. ask another if they’d be willing to body double with you sometime while you get work done or clean up around your living space.
alone time can be a necessity, but self isolation is rarely the right call if you’re actively struggling. community is a vital part of maintaining mental health—tap into your support system and let them play a role in helping you come back to yourself.
4. step outside.
sometimes you don’t even realize how long you’ve been cooped up in your home, especially when it’s winter and you may not be able to enjoyably spend much time outdoors.
even if it’s frigid, go outside for just a minute. let the fresh air hit your face. take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. shake out whatever stale energy lingers in your bones.
5. move your body (as much as you’re able).
i’ll be real: this is my least favorite piece of advice to receive when i’m in a low spell. it can feel so out of touch/borderline insensitive to have someone recommend exercising when you barely have the energy to get out of bed, but the frustrating truth is…they’re right.
this might not be the right day for a high-intensity workout, and that’s alright! but going on a walk in your neighborhood or stretching for five minutes is within reach. if you feel up to trying more, look up an at-home yoga, pilates, or dance class (my personal favorites are yoga with adriene and the fitness marshall) on youtube.
i’m sending you love and big virtual hugs. take good care of yourself. 🖤
Love this list, Bridget. We don't have to spend lots of money to get out of a funk!