Feeling Sad and Alone? 6 Ways to Uplift Yourself

‘Tis the season to feel sick, depressed, and lonely—cold weather and a lack of sunshine can adversely affect moods, so you’re not alone if you’re feeling the winter blues.  However, if this is an ongoing sadness that you can’t seem to shake, it may be time to stop blaming the winter and start trying to remedy the situation.  Life is too short to stay down—and Bauces are always on top.

It’s not easy to cure sadness or depression quickly—but taking small steps and any little bit of effort can go a long way into getting you back on track.  Here are some tips to get you going:

1.)   Breathe.  You would be amazed at how much you’ll feel better by breathing properly.  Take deep breaths and exhale slowly, and allow yourself to just relax your mind and body.

2.)   Meditate and reflect.   Meditation is one of the most underused tools for positive inner change.  Set aside just ten minutes out of your day, find a quiet place, and allow yourself to just relax and reflect on your life.  In the calm and quiet of your own mind, you may find what’s causing all the pain and perhaps even the solutions to your problems..

3.)   Perform acts of kindness.  According to motivational speaker Dale Carnegie, one of the best ways to cure depression is to perform service for others.  This doesn’t mean you have to uproot your whole life/ schedule and start volunteering at multiple soup kitchens and shelters (although that would be fantastic), but you can at least start by holding the door open for someone.  Smile at a stranger.  Help someone who is struggling with grocery bags.  Leave a 50-100% tip.  Anything that you can do to brighten someone’s day will undoubtedly brighten yours.

4.)   Indulge in fun, not substance.  I honestly believe the phrase “comfort food” is an oxymoron; food should never be associated with comfort.  You may be craving the inevitable deliciousness of doughnuts, cookies, chips, or mac and cheese, but 2 hours after you wake up from your food coma and you feel like a big ball of grease and are even worse than you were before.  Same goes with alcohol—it may feel great while you’re drunk, but when you wake up with that pounding headache and wave of nausea, you’re sure to feel even more depressed.  Indulge yourself in fun or pampering.  Take a bubblebath.  Get your nails done.  Go for a long walk or run.  Take a Zumba fitness class.  Read a book.  Browse  through the amazing articles of Bauce magazine.  Anything that gives you pleasure in a healthy way!

5.)   Start taking steps toward a goal.   Many people feel depressed because they simply feel like they are not achieving their goals.  Goals are always achievable; it just takes planning and effort.  The year is still very young–write down your goals for 2013 and act on at least one of them every single day.  Over time, you’ll feel the exhilarating satisfaction of being on track with your dreams.

6.)  Spend times with loved ones.  A simple and surefire way to help you feel better.  Cuddle up with your boo, go out dancing with friends, have a lovely home-cooked meal with the ‘rents.  It’s hard to be sad when you’re truly enjoying company.

Of course, none of these tips will truly cure your sadness—but they’re a start and can possibly help you identify and be motivated to take even bigger steps to end your depression, such as quitting your job you don’t like or finally throwing away all of the junk food in your house.   Remember that you deserve happiness! As Tupac once rapped, “keep your head up,  legs closed, and eyes open”.  It’s a new year, so it’s time a for a new you—and a new approach to life.