Ramadan’s come and gone, and the Eid holidays are finally ending, so sleep cycles are out of whack. The weather’s been alternating between wet and sweltering, and Chikunguniya’s already done at least two rounds through the city. Things being the way they are, it’s only natural to feel a little off. Here are five steps to shaking it off and getting back into your groove.
CHECK IT OFFIf going through the motions of the day feels overwhelming, do what you would to a big project anyway; make a to-do list, and tick off the things you need to do as you do them. As long as you’re always focusing only on the next item on the list, you’ll get by just fine. And the sense of accomplishment you get from crossing off each item will give you a little boost to help you get to the next one.
SWEAT IT OUTNothing jogs (pun intended) mind and body than a bit of exercise. When you’re down, it might seem like too much effort to even get out of bed, but if you do that, and then go a little further with a light workout, brain releases feel-good chemicals that should make you feel more energised and ready to cope with the rest of the day. If you can make working out a habit, the feel good benefits will only increase in the long term.
FUN IN THE SUNIf this sounds like a cliché, it’s probably because it’s true. Spending time outdoors is a great pick-me-up. And right now, with the streets still relatively traffic free, is the best time to do it. If getting out of the house is not on the agenda, at least take a moment to sit out in the veranda, or go out to the roof. A little fresh air will do you a world of good and make you feel much better.
CREATIVE PURSUITSDo something creative. Whether it’s drawing a little doodle, playing a little tune, baking something, or even just writing a blog post, science has shown that engaging in a creative activity stimulates the brain, creates avenues for self expression, and helps combat depression. So even if it’s something as basic as sitting down to do a full face of makeup, you’re going to feel a little perkier afterwards.
SWITCH OFFIf you’re already in a bad mood, taking a break from social media might help you fix it, instead of going the other way. Numerous studies have shown that constantly being bombarded with social media messages can add stress, which leads to a buildup of social fatigue. Do yourself a favour and do something IRL instead of feeling the FOMO on Facebook.
CHECK IT OFFIf going through the motions of the day feels overwhelming, do what you would to a big project anyway; make a to-do list, and tick off the things you need to do as you do them. As long as you’re always focusing only on the next item on the list, you’ll get by just fine. And the sense of accomplishment you get from crossing off each item will give you a little boost to help you get to the next one.
SWEAT IT OUTNothing jogs (pun intended) mind and body than a bit of exercise. When you’re down, it might seem like too much effort to even get out of bed, but if you do that, and then go a little further with a light workout, brain releases feel-good chemicals that should make you feel more energised and ready to cope with the rest of the day. If you can make working out a habit, the feel good benefits will only increase in the long term.
FUN IN THE SUNIf this sounds like a cliché, it’s probably because it’s true. Spending time outdoors is a great pick-me-up. And right now, with the streets still relatively traffic free, is the best time to do it. If getting out of the house is not on the agenda, at least take a moment to sit out in the veranda, or go out to the roof. A little fresh air will do you a world of good and make you feel much better.
CREATIVE PURSUITSDo something creative. Whether it’s drawing a little doodle, playing a little tune, baking something, or even just writing a blog post, science has shown that engaging in a creative activity stimulates the brain, creates avenues for self expression, and helps combat depression. So even if it’s something as basic as sitting down to do a full face of makeup, you’re going to feel a little perkier afterwards.
SWITCH OFFIf you’re already in a bad mood, taking a break from social media might help you fix it, instead of going the other way. Numerous studies have shown that constantly being bombarded with social media messages can add stress, which leads to a buildup of social fatigue. Do yourself a favour and do something IRL instead of feeling the FOMO on Facebook.