Off the Beaten Path

Every now and then I find myself in a funk. I normally can tell what caused it, either I’ve consumed too much sugar the day before, I am overwhelmed by new schedules (my little one is rapidly changing and although I’m two years in, I’m doing all of this for the first time). While having these days I usually like to catch it before I spiral out of control and I like to catch it by doing these things, not in this order!

Get Dressed

Get dressed and I don’t mean just throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, although if that’s your thing, go for it! The days that I want to get out of funk I put in a little more effort than normal. If I’ve been wearing my hair up more, I’d wewar it down. If I’ve been wearing house dresses lately, I’ll throw on a real dress! I’m sure there are plenty of people who discuss the science behind how looking good makes you feel good and I am sure it is valid but for me it boils down to I become more productive. I simply get more done when I notice I put a little more effort in and I show up to the day ready to take it on. And I don’t know about you but when I am in a funk, I have two options, to go and grow through it or just fold and do nothing. There are very few times where I’d agree the latter is actually ok but 99% of the time doing nothing while I have a husband, a child, and a home to tend to would make me feel worst! There’s also something about the process of doing something when you are in a funk that makes you feel better. Even if that is just getting up to do the dishes or taking your little one outside.

I remember when I got my dog, 9 years ago(he just had a birthday and it’s a reminder that the days are long but the years are short), I was in a pretty bad depression. I got him for comfort but he came with responsibility. I didn’t appreciate the responsibility at first because having a dog that relied on me to use the bathroom, go for walks, and get out of the house was too much. I didn’t want to do anything, I just wanted to lay in bed some days, and with him I couldn’t. And he was the best gift from the Lord at the time because I may not have wanted to do anything but I needed to and it helped me greatly.

Move your Body & Get Outside

It’s no surprise that when you work out your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are your feel good hormone and I 100% agree because every single time I do a HIIT workout, I end up being noticeably happier. To take it a step further, if you can, try to workout outside or take a walk outside (if you can only work out indoors you will still feel better). It’s something about the fresh air and the vitamin D from the sun that does wonders for the soul and body. I’ve been finding out so much information about the need for sunlight (especially if you have more melanin or you’re a woman or child) and it is so fascinating! Most people are vitamin D deficient and so many use depression medicine here in the states. Honestly, after I found out just how deficient we are it makes me wonder if maybe the fact that we work or sit in doors all day, wear sunscreen while out, and then put on sunshades or hats when we do go out is the reason why. We’ve made the sun the enemy when I believe it’s a gift from the Lord.

I also believe that screens are a huge simulator and to counteract our over consumption of screens we need more sunlight. This is a whole separate topic, but I highly encourage you to limit your screen time and blue light exposure if you are feeling down! Which can be hard because on those days we may tend to scroll more or watch more tv, but it may be more beneficial to go outside or read a book instead! This is a win win if you have kids or its warm outside! Your kids will love you for it!

Talk to Someone

Talking to a good friend or your hubby helps, every time. I truly believe we are made for connection! If it’s during the week and your church has a service, go and talk to people! My church has a service every morning and it is a blessing! Worship and fellowship!

If not, call a friend. Meet up with a girlfriend and her kiddos at a park! Whatever it is, communicate with someone who you feel safe around as it helps us women feel better. Khris or Ebony, if you’re reading this, I am so grateful for you two! And on the contrary, avoid the people who bring out the worst in you, particularly while you are in a funk. Those moments are rarely edifying and may drag you down more.

Diet

If you haven’t tried to cut back on processed foods and high sugar, consider doing this for a few days or weeks and see just how much it changes your brain chemistry. It wasn’t until doing this did I realize my “normal” was not really normal. I thought certain symptoms were normal and that I should always feel tired in the morning or always feel a little puffy when I woke up and it’s not true! That was linked to processed food and sugar.

There is a link between depression and sugar consumption. Processed food has chemicals that alters our brain chemistry and is poisoning us, plain and simple. And the more we eat it the more damage we do and the less numb we become to it. Ever noticed why when you start eating healthier and you go back to eating junk you feel terrible? But a while ago you could eat junk all day and feel nothing? No coincidence, you are becoming aware to what your body likes!

Our gut is powerful and when we don’t feed it good things, bad bacteria can outgrow the good bacteria. Which will affect how we feel and our mood because the brain and gut connection is real. And while we are on this topic, if you are struggling and have been taking or took antibiotics please look into the link between antibiotics and depression. I won’t go into it but I took antibiotics in November and felt off for 2 weeks! And that was with me taking a probiotic. After digging, I found out serotonin is produced in our gut and antibiotics completely wipe out all bacteria(good and bad), and the good bacteria being wiped out matters when it comes to our mood or feeling off. I recommend eating probiotic rich foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled veggies, etc. and if you can’t, take a high quality probiotic!

Serve Someone

You may think that serving someone or doing something for someone else would have the opposite effect, adding more on your plate and making things worse. But it actually does the opposite. I think doing something nice for someone else, whether that is feeding the poor, cleaning a room for your spouse, making a complex dish for your husband, whatever it may be, the act of serving can make you feel a lot better. I personally believe we were meant to serve and it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves that we see just how happy we can be. I know so many people will say the opposite, and that self care is how you get out of a funk but I think too much self care, obsessing over myself, pouring only into me all the times makes things worse.

There was a time I can remember when I was not in the mood and went to the garage(where my husband works although he was gone that day), and I vacuumed the work benches, tools, and the floor. It was quite the workout which was a nice energy boost and when he came home, his face lit up and he gave me a big hug with a big smile on his face and said “thank you so much honey”. Those little moments are everything for me. And in that moment I saw how I shouldn’t let being in a funk keep me from serving others.

Worship

Saved the best for last. This one goes hand and hand with prayer and reading scripture. I said worship though because singing, at least for me does something else. I literally feel a shift in my body, mind, and soul when I worship. Almost like worshiping breaks the chains of depression and sadness. It is powerful. Also praying to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is literally like talking to the one who made you and knows everything about you. He is in the business of doing miracles. There were times I prayed to the Lord to help me see the good in what was troubling me at the time and he changed my whole mind and thought process. Like right after I prayed about it. There were times when I’ve gone to adoration and prayed and received an answer to my prayer and comfort all in an instant, it is that powerful. Prayer, worship, and reading the bible all helps if you are feeling down. We are taught to seek the kingdom first and all other things will be added. I wholeheartedly believe that includes a better mood or a change in our thoughts to help us to deal with hard days better.

There is also the possibility that you may go to the Holy book and you find that reading the scriptures doesn’t necessarily feel good. And I am the first one to say, I’ve been there and I am still there! I go to the scriptures and find out how much of a wretched sinner I truly am. But there is good news to praise the Lord even for those moments. Every time I’ve been shown my filth for what is it, it is always at that place where change begins to occur. And the change of heart that takes place from scripture, no matter how painful, trumps EVERYTHING ELSE. That change is a deep change, a more impactful change, and it will change your life!

Most importantly, if you are having a bad day and in a funk realize it’s just a bad moment and not a bad day. Or maybe it’s a bad day but not a bad life. And always remember

For His anger endureth but a moment, and in His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5