What to Do When You Are Feeling Low

Everyone feels low at some time in their lives. It can be caused by a variety of reasons such as an unsolved problem, having a bad day, feeling ill or simply tiredness. Having a spot of the blues is a natural part of our emotional make-up - it is only a problem when it develops into a state of depression and when that happens it is best to seek medical care.

For a simple of case of feeling low, there are lots of methods you can use to start to feel better again. For instance, if you know that you are feeling low due to your health, start to take better care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy foods. A constant diet of junk food or soda will quickly deplete your body of the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain balance and health - and that includes emotional and psychological health. It is also important to get some form of regular exercise every day. This doesn't have to be a burn-out session in the gym - it can be something as simple as a walk or yoga or gardening. Choose an activity that you enjoy so that you are more likely to stick to it.

A low mood is often made worse with alcohol consumption, so it's best to avoid drinking altogether when you feel low. Alcohol is, as most people know, a depressant so if you are feeling low to begin with, alcohol will make your mood even worse.

If a problem is causing your low mood, you need to start to work on solving the problem as soon as possible. That sounds obvious, but it is surprising how many people try to ignore their problems or make no effort to solve them and subsequently wind up depressed. If you have a problem it is important to try to take control. Talk to someone who can offer you advice or assistance. If stress is the cause of your low mood, look into stress management strategies. It is important to take positive action to lift your mood because the longer you remain feeling low the greater the chance that depression can sink in.

It is also very important to stay away from any additional negativity that may be present in your life, whether that is people or situations. Negativity itself can trigger low moods, so it goes without saying that it can make an existing low mood worse. There are certain people who relish others' problems and love to wallow in self-pity. For the sake of your well-being, these people are best avoided. Instead, seek out people who can actively help you and have a positive outlook on life. Don't allow yourself to be dragged by others (or yourself) into a spiral of negative thinking. Negative thought patterns are another fast track to feeling low. Whenever you begin to feel any negativity, start to focus on the good things in your life and be grateful for the many blessings you have. And remember that feeling low is, most of the time, a passing phase that happens to us all.