10 Ideas To Help Shake Away Anxiety or Depression, Because No Thank You

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. (via)

I’ve been wanting to share my ideas to shake away anxious or depressing moods for a few weeks, & I think it happened at the perfect time!  My list was recently tested since the big ol allergy attack & now I’m pretty confident in it.  At least one of the ideas below can get your spirits lifted, because there’s nothing uglier than a bad mood or ANXIETY.

DISTRACT, DISTRACT, DISTRACT.  That’s kind of the ultimate goal.  Distract your mind.  Typically, I’m trying to steer clear of sadness, anxiety, stress, or worry.

When I graduated college, I listened to gangster rap 24/7 – afraid of the other radio stations.  After receiving a college degree & barely getting an interview at Starbucks, I was having a rough time.  And gangster rap had it’s special way of keeping my mind in a “fuck you” spirit, which was better than sad pop or country songs pushing me closer & closer to a quarter life crisis.  My list has built since then.  Depending on where my mind is at, different things help on different days or through different phases.

I suggest, starting with one idea & moving to the next if it doesn’t work.  And when you find one that does work – milk it for awhile.

10 EASY WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR MOOD

1. Talk to Yourself:   A loving dialogue.  I learned this from Yoga.  Have you ever tried telling yourself nice things??  WAY more difficult than it sounds. Be nice to yourself, tell yourself kind things:  “I am happy.  I am brave.  I am strong.  I am healthy.  I’m doing the best I can.  I’m powerful. I am ok.”   Try it!
2. Podcasts:  Podcasts basically cured my anxiety.  I can 99% depend on them to relieve anxiety.  I listen to Joe Rogan when I need a distraction or Juicy Scoop when I need background noise & a quick laugh.  All of my Insta Stories at the park? I’m ALWAYS listening to a podcast.  I bring my headphones everywhere & pop them in w a podcast –  waiting rooms, shopping, when I’m getting ready, cleaning, working…
3. Music:   Even if you’re around other people – at work, next to your boyfriend, at the park.  Put your headphones in & find music that makes you feel good.  Try a few different genres, even if you’ve never heard of them.  i.e. Rap, when I need a confidence boost.  Country, when emotional.  Kygo Station when I have anxiety.  Pop, for a distraction.  Explore.
4. Shop:  I mean don’t get addicted here, but if you’re stressed – browse at the store or online.  Buy something that makes you happy or that you’ve been needing.  Even if it’s super small.  You’ll feel accomplished.  (Enter >> Amazon.)
5. Driving:  Take a break. Go for an easy/no traffic drive.  With music.
6. Run:  I run 50% for my dog, 25% because fat, and 25% for mental health (that equals 100% right?). There are few things better than listening to badass music & simply running.  If you’re new to running, you have to be patient.  Each day a wee bit longer, be consistent.  Good music is KEY.
7. Incense:  Trust me.
8. Organize:  And clean. Because if that doesn’t make you feel good… you’re a slob at heart.  Jk.  Even slobs WILL feel better when their living environment sparkles.  More than anything, cleaning is a great distraction.  Organizing? Even better.  I always know I had an anxious day when I sit down at night & notice everything is perfectly organized.  >>PERKS of being anxious.
9. Admit the TRUTH:  Because once you say what you’re stressed, sad, angry, anxious about you’ll feel better. I swear.  Sometimes you don’t even know why you’re feeling weird until you try to explain it, but you’ll always get there.  Obviously this is tough, you have to find someone to listen.  And you have to be brave & vulnerable.  But this works, so if you’re in a weird mood for a few days & can’t kick it – talk about it.
10. Light TV:  ENTER >> Grace & Frankie, New Girl, Baby Daddy, Friends, Young & Hungry.

Don’t have an UGLY mood & don’t suffer in a ANXIOUS one!  Even though all those ideas up there sound like common sense, remember to experiment with them.  Right?!  I can’t be the only one that has their pick me up’s.  What are yours?

Have an excellent week, go out & be a thoughtful person!

Xx