How to Take Care of Yourself When you’re Feeling Down

Rebecca Lewis April 14, 2016

We all feel down at some point in our life. Whether it’s a breakup, divorce, death of a loved one, or a physical illness - there are some situations that really take a toll on our mental health and leave us feeling down and vulnerable that taking care of ourselves becomes the last thing we want to do.

But psychologists and mental health experts agree that it is when we are feeling emotionally down should we love ourselves even more. Easier said than done, huh. The great news is there are simple self-care ideas that we can all do to lift our spirits up.

Let the tears flow.

It is okay to cry. Cry it out until you feel much better. The best way to deal with negative emotions is to acknowledge them. Feel them. Don’t conceal them. The more you ignore or deny such emotions, the longer they linger. The worse they become. A good cry alone or with a friend is always a great idea to relieve the painful feelings you’ve been keeping.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Breathing is a very simple yet powerful tool that we can turn to every single time we are not feeling at ease. Whether you are angry, irritable or anxious - practise deep breathing for 10 seconds or more. This way of slowing down helps you clear your mind and change your perspective which in turn calms you down and reduce your stress levels.

Turn the lights off.

Another powerful self-care idea when you are not feeling okay is to have a good rest and sleep. It is common for many people to have five hours or less sleep each night, which is causing detriment on their health. Many of us are guilty of not giving our bodies the right amount of stress on a day to day basis. But we should make it a priority always. Give yourself the gift of sleep especially in moments when you are most vulnerable. Your mind and body will thank you.

Meditate.

Meditation is a mind-body exercise that is scientifically proven to boost our emotional health and alleviate negative emotions. Getting aware of your body and your thinking patterns lets you find peace of mind.

Cook your food.

Don’t just eat. Prepare your own food. Cooking is a great activity that nourishes your mind and spirit. It is therapeutic too. You might be surprised to find out about your hidden talent!

Try something different.

Engage in a new hobby. It is a wonderful way to divert your attention. Take a new route to work. Dine at a different restaurant or order a new dish, go somewhere you haven’t been to before. Meet new faces. You might find a change in perspective by trying out different things.

Practising self-care is something we should do on a day to day basis, not just when we are feeling good. When we are taking good care of ourselves, we are less likely to be shaken by stressful situations that we encounter in life.