10 Tips for Becoming Positive When You’re Down in the Dumps

By Heather Legg.

Being down in the dumps can become a cycle of sadness, so it’s important to get yourself out and feel positive again. When you’re down, it’s easy to look at the dark side of things, but remember that there is always a brighter one. Here are some tips for becoming positive when you’re feeling blue:

1. Take Your Dog for a Walk

If you have a pet, play with him. Take your dog for a walk; play with the cat. Animals have an innate ability to make us feel better. Even if you don’t have a pet, maybe some time spent around a friend’s pet or at the park watching dogs play will do wonders.

2. Help Someone

Regardless of your reason for feeling low, if you can help someone somehow, you will feel better. You’ll find joy in doing something for another and getting your mind off yourself.

3. Count Your Blessings

Everyone gets down sometimes, and everyone has a different reason for feeling the way that they feel. But remember, we all have blessings, too. Sure, some may be harder to find than others, but they are there, and once you can find and count them, your sorrow will begin to dissipate.

4. Practice Yoga

Even if you’re not a yogi, doing a brief session of gentle yoga can help get you out of the dumps. When you focus on the moment, you can get whatever has got you down out of your mind (at least for the time being), and the positive feeling may stick with you even when you’ve finished your practice. Remember, when you step on your mat, leave everything else off of it.

5. Exercise

Whether it’s yoga, a walk with your dog or alone, a bike ride, or an intense kickboxing class, make some time and get some exercise in. The endorphins released will physically help you feel better, and it may be just what you need to be ready to face the world.

6. Take a Bubble Bath

Sometimes the world just becomes too much. Take a few minutes to step away from it – light a candle, add some fragrant bubbles, and let yourself relax for a bit. You may come out of the bath refreshed and cleansed of that negativity.

7. Journal

If you like to write, take the time to express yourself. No one ever has to read it, but there is something therapeutic about getting your thoughts out. You can say anything you want, and no one will dispute or correct you or even try to fix it. Sometimes just getting it out in words is what you need to move on.

8. Treat Yourself

Maybe you’re down in the dumps because you feel like you’re in a rut. Do something kind for yourself, like getting your hair done, buying something new, or taking yourself out to a movie you’ve been wanting to see. Something out of the ordinary and just for you may be just the thing you need.

9. Finish a Project

Most of us have some sort of unfinished project lying around; you may even have something ready to start that you just haven’t gotten around to. Revisit it and finish it. The feeling of accomplishment and a finished project is very empowering.

10. Declutter

Clutter can cause a lot of unknown discomfort and stress, even depression. Take the time to get rid of some things you no longer use or that don’t bring you joy. A clean space is refreshing and enlightening. You’ll feel good doing it and feel good when it’s done. You may find some old treasures or be inspired to move your furniture around for a new, brighter outlook, both inside and out.

Everyone visits the dumps at some point or another, and no one wants to stay – you don’t have to. Try some of these tips to get yourself out of the dumps and feeling positive and bright again.