Fighting the Funk

Do you sometimes feel like you are stuck in the doldrums? For many years I struggled in February. By that time I had had enough of winter. I had no energy, and I was basically unhappy with everything. Years ago I decided that I must suffer from SAD; Seasonal Affective Disorder. Once I realized that this might be the case, I made an effort to get outside more often. I bought a car with a sunroof so that I could experience more light on my way to and from work. (Later is was a convertible and the hours logged with the top down exceeded those with the top up - even in winter!) I walked to lunch when I was at work. I'd stay outside when I got home and play with the kids or the dogs. It did seem to work. My attitude was a bit better. 

From the Internet 

Currently I get a daily email called, "Start TODAY" that recaps segments of the TODAY Show. Sometimes I find interesting links. Thursday's message had a teaser link stating,  "two questions to ask yourself daily to feel joy  and feel more content.

The therapist (Niro Feliciano) in this synopsis of a recent TODAY show suggested that when people feel the way I often felt, they try to imagine the joy they will experience when they attain a goal in the future. Perhaps one of those ideas/goals you thought about at the first of the year! She described our lives as if we are living between the goal posts. I loved the imagery of that! But, she said that focusing on the big goals might not bring joy as that accomplishment may still be far off. 

What Niro suggested instead is to practice gratitude and be in the moment. She suggested a daily reflection where you celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and that will give you feelings of gratitude and contentment. To do this, the therapist recommended two questions to ask yourself daily:

• What are you proud of?
• What did you enjoy?

She explained that these can be very small moments of your day. For me, I might list making my bed as something I was proud of. I always feel better when the bedroom appears orderly, but a lot of mornings, I feel too rushed or too lazy to take the time (all about 2 minutes?!) And something I might have enjoyed is reading some posts of my blog friends. Niro suggests writing your answers to the two questions in a journal, or in an app....I just answered them in this blog post! It was suggested that you reflect on these questions daily. Hmmmm, maybe I'll add that at the end of my posts! There's an idea!

So, what about you? How are you feeling today? What are you proud of? What did you enjoy? Surely, there is something in each day that is the answer for you!