What do you do when you are down?

When I'm feeling down, I listen to Ace of Base. It gets me PUMPED.

i go and sleep. : ZZZ

and I talk to my wife about my problems.

Most of the time, talking about it makes the problems smaller or even disappear. =)

John

I will eat go out and get my favourite foods (that I don't eat often), like cheesecake, sashimi or stuff like that.

Then I will get a long night sleep...

and I will be charged up again in the next morning.

It depends. If I'm unsatisfied with expectations, I work harder. If I'm just not feeling up to it today I do one of two things:

1) Go to the gym
2) Take a break

That's the beauty of owning your own business. It allows you to take some time off and still earn money.

I've tried a lot of things through the years and I've found out that this is not according to taste but to a certain moods.

1. disappear for a day. More like playing hookie and have a walk in the mall, not necessarily doing any shopping, just sitting around watching people, having coffee, or ice cream (one pint please).
2. watch DVDs. preferably action movies or old classics.
3. go to a pizzeria, and order lasagna with a slice of pepperoni pizza.

There's this one assurance that this too shall pass. I've had a mild depression before, conquered it without drugs, but it was a struggle. The household support pulled me through. That helps a lot.

I just usually spend some time doing some breathing meditation or probably listening to relaxing music like sounds of waterfall. I also love to watch The Secret (man, has been watching that like 50 times). Walking in the garden or just sitting near a lake can also help a bit.

Btw, I just realize from GrantFreeman post that igorkheifets and Yanik Silver are actually twins! That's the most amazing thing I ever seen since I've got warning from Warrior Forum for posting a joke in Off Topic forum :-)

For me... I will take some time and think about my future...
Think of the outcomes after you have achieved the things that you want in your life.
If you want to be rich, then think of what is going to happen to you after you are rich.
This will definitely motivates you.

Audios and videos work well too.
You can also stay close with the nature. Go to your garden and have a walk there.
Let the fresh air 'clear' your mind and 'free' your mind.

Wow thanks everyone who helped to contribute their opinions, especially for macrobjd who has put together such a long and great post.

I realize that feeling down is not something we can avoid, the most important is how we deal with it and keep moving forward

Here is one more way you can get motivated in your life:

Doing CHARITY works.
Wehn you are down, maybe you can go to those old folks house and spend
some time doing charity work there.
Maybe you can even donate some money there.

This will make you feel that you are actually more luckier than a lot of people.

I guess this works.

I use EFT to release my negative thoughts. I review my goals and write a gratitude list. I assess where I am then move forward.

I try not to fight it and ride it out. If I try to do work it just creates a vicious cycle.

I will jst take a short sleep to refresh myself.
Then I will think of some motivational quote to help me get back my momentum.
Simple 2 steps works well for me.

-Nicholas Ho

I just do a few rounds of tapping with eft and I am back to my old self in a few minutes. This technique has worked wonders for me.

I usually get down if I DON"T do anything with my business that day, but sometimes I get down for other reasons. I know what you mean. One thing I DONT do is wallow in my decision to stop working or continue working. Once I make the decision I stick to it. If I decide to go lay down, or go work out etc. I don't feel guilty about that or regret that decision. We have to live in the now and guilt and worry are very distructive emotions. I guess we just have to make sure we don't stay down. "An object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to stay at rest." right?

Hey wellymulia

For me I guess it really depends on why I am feeling down. While trying not to go into a cerebral hemorrhage, I usually can tell what is getting me down, maybe it is because I am worried? Personally I talk to Abba and He usually has good advice or can give me help, but talking to a friend might be all you need.

If it is physical, it could be something I ate or drank-sometimes I have to stay away from the lattes. Perhaps I have not gotten enough rest, then I either take a nap, read a book watch a movie or go to bed early.

Sometimes it is lack of exercise and I have to get active.

Our body, soul and spirit is meant to live in moderation and when we get out of balance it rears its ugly head many times in our feelings.

meditate and unwind

Here's one way to strategize:

When I'm down, I'm usually in a poor state of mind to make decisions or to think of something to help me get back up again.

So, I started a written list. I worked on it at times when I was up, or on an even keel, not down. I made a list of all the specific, concrete things I knew would / could cheer me up.

(Later, after I got married, I had to change some of the items on my list, such as "Walk the mall, look at girls." And, "Talk to attractive sales clerks." But I also added to my list - things I could do WITH my bride; things that my wife could DO TO ME / FOR ME when she knew I was down - or I was getting on her nerves, such as: "Drag me outta the house whether I want to go or not and take me out for a cafe mocha / movie / pizza. Please don't take "NO" for an answer." or "MAKE me leave the house. Grab my arm, DRAG me to the door, open and push." "Fix homemade cheeseburgers and oven fries." or "If I'm not hearing you well enough, get in my face or whack me upside the head until I do. You have my total permission to do this!" And, "If I'm not giving you enough attention for some dumb reason, please grab me by the chin, look me in the eyes, and say, "listen buster . . . " [I repeatedly give my wife permission to get on my case if need be, to take me aside and tell me when I've blown it with one of the kids, or to comment on my driving if I'm doing something dopey, or not acting like I see a red light, etc. This has literally saved our bacon on a number of occasions. Two heads are better than one. Four eyes are better than two. And I ALWAYS make a point of sincerely thanking her when she does speak up about something I need to pay attention to.]) Sorry about that slight digression.

Having the written list where it was easily available, and reminding myself of its value by skimming it every now and then, were vital. If I don't remember the list is there when I'm down, then it doesn't do me any good. I gave my wife her own copy, approximately titled, "What to do when David is acting like a mope or a jerk."

When down, it's too easy to just sit and stew. That's part of the problem, isn't it? So I look at the list, pick something, and JUST DO IT. Whether I "feel like it" or not.

Being "down" is typically about being "stuck" in negative "feeling mode." So waiting until I "feel like it" is a dead end.

For me, the trick is always taking some kind of conscious, intentional action. "Action puts fear to flight." It works for low moods, too. "Action" mode is very different from "feeling" made. And often, I'm in a funk because a CHANGE of action is what's needed.

Having said all that . . .

There ARE times when "down" is exactly where I need to be. (It depends on what kind of a "down" it is.) If I've been cranking hard for a long time, or doing a lot of "face" time with strangers, then "down" approximately equals "a need to switch gears for the sake of recuperation." Recoup and regroup. Sometimes my body is smarter than I am and I just need to listen to it.

One way I've found to make that recuperation very intentional and comprehensive is to give myself a complete "ESRO" day - Eat, Sleep, & Roll Over. From, say, dinner time one day, through about 36 hours, to morning on the 3rd day. Get up, eat, go back to bed, read a good book, take a nap, get up, munch, back to bed, etc. I don't shave, or shower, or get dressed. I don't answer the phone. I try not to talk to anybody at all. (But am careful not to do it unkindly.) I give myself total permission to be a total slug. (I've never needed or wanted to do that more than once or twice a year, if that.)

Enjoy.

I'll go for a run around the park at my home downstairs.

If not I'll pop in some of the monthly inspiration CDs I subscribe to and just listen. Works almost all the time.

If still doesn't work and I have the time, I'll visit Kinokuniya bookstore. Enjoy the music...look at the books available.

Somehow whenever i go there I'm just kinda SUCKED into this grand WORLD feeling...being surrounded by great literary works of great minds from all over the world.

Perks me up everytime.

I will buy myself a few boxes of chocolates, watching some of my favorite comedy. Chocolates are believed to make a person happier.

When I'm just in a generally bad state I often go exercise to improve my circulation. When I'm just getting frustrated with work then I turn on my favorite Miles Davis compilation cd and listen while I work. ---> stress gone



Music has a very powerful effect on state. But people often enjoy music that puts them in unresourceful states, for some reason. This one makes me mellow and meditative and focussed.

If I'm down I usually think about what is making me down and either try to deal with it or avoid it.

For example if its a lack of money I work harder on one of my projects to achieve a target which will bring some in even if its not as much as I need it still make sme fell better.

If its work thats getting me down and I feel I've done enough I take a break go and play some games with my kids or take them to the beach or if I'm alone listen to music usually dance and rock as the lovey dovey stuff tends to make me feel worse. The one other thing that I find stops me feeling down in the first place is exercise and if it still gets to me I have a go at the punch bag and yes I do mean a canvas bag full of sand and all sorts of other stuff to fill it up. I used to practice Karate so it just reminds me of when I was training.

Paul

Eat mackerel.

No, seriously I do! I'm not sure why it works but it usually does the trick after a day or two.

I also prioritise the work I have on at the time and if possible I just chill out and take some time off, go for a walk, watch TV whatever. It works for me.

T

Tony Robbins talk about this triangle.. With Physical at the Top Belife and focus the Language.

You can change your whole emotion by just changing those 3 things. So if you down. False yourself to situp back straight breath deep and smile. Then you have to believe that you can be happy and focus on that .. Futhremore yoour lanuage should be stong confident and determind..

I recommend you get personal power 2 or get the edge by tony rrobbins.. becoming successful is partly about mastering you emotions

Motivation is very important when a person is down.

Success is not a destination, it's a journey.

Dont give up,Refresh your mind and get started again.

Love what you do and do what you love.

Invest you time reading and looking for new ideas.

Everyone migt facing a problem and de-motivated sometie.
Normally i will think on some motivated story i read to motivate myself when i feel down.

I also learned this from Tony Robbins. In fact as soon as I read this, I sat up straighter. That's also why dancing to upbeat positive music can help. I would also write down ten gratitudes, or things I like about myself, or things I've accomplished, or look in the mirror and say ten positive things to myself.

I rarely feel down anymore. Believe it or not diet can also make a difference. I know of someone who healed their chronic depression through diet. Junk food is not the answer.

Feeling down is a biological requirement of us humans, and those who say they are 'never' down are simply deluding themselves. (Ulterior motives maybe??)

It's an old worn out philosophy I know, but we actually DO have 'Bio-Rythms'. There's nothing we can do about them, we just need to 'go with the flow'.

Realise it's a natural phenomenon, don't try and fight it and it will pass quicker with no obstructions.

By fighting your bio-rythms you are actually 'harming' yourself. A bit like taking prozac or having a 'drink' to brighten yourself up. Just relax, take the day/s off and wake up when ready, totally revitalised.

Have a happy day ALL.

Pete.

Exercise lifts the spirits and if you also put on uplifting music at the same time, the mind is focussed elsewhere and this helps.

Or just think of where you want to be in a year's time, and know in your very being that's it's achieveable. Dwell on it, feel and visualise what you will be doing.

Can really help take you out of yourself.

Roma

Take a rest. After a day rest, start taking action and when you take action, momentum will follow.

Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

Nice idea Bruce. Ever thought of being a life coach?

I have a new entry - I PM a fellow Warrior (friend too) and grumble. It really helps.

John