We all have blah days. That’s a given in life, regardless of whether you’re working or not. Usually, when you take a step back and look at what you are doing, you can come out of them with some simple tweaks. But sometimes, those blah days, those blue funk days, become black funks. And those can be more difficult to come out of.
What is the difference between a blue funk and a black funk?
A blue funk is a blah day. You can usually pinpoint what the root problem is and do something to rectify the problem. They’re a function of too much routine, turning fun into work or a necessity. They may seem it, but they aren’t all consuming.
Black funks are a completely different animal. They may stem from a blah day – those blue funks, but they go much deeper and are harder to come out of. They are a feeling of complete listlessness, of not wanting to do anything, of almost being incapable of doing anything. In a word, they are depression.But just like those blah days, you can get out of them.
How to escape a black funk
According to the NHS (National Health Service of England), there are ways to cope with depression. And many of the ways are are similar to how to cope with a blah day. Which makes sense since a blah day is really just a small taste of depression.
- While you may have an overwhelming desire to retreat into yourself, don’t. Stay in touch with people. Socialize. This also gives you an opportunity to discuss or talk about what may be slipping you into a depression. Which leads to #2…
- Talk about what may be bothering you, what may be making you depressed. The person you talk to doesn’t need to be a doctor, it just needs to be someone who you know cares, will listen, and will give you honest, actionable feedback.
- We already know exercise has a lot of positive benefits. Mental health is one of them. Just 20 minutes each day can help you clear your mind and lift your mood. If you haven’t already started exercising, give it a try. Start simple. You don’t need to run a marathon, just get your muscles working and your endorphins pumping.
- Have a routine. Being too structured can have a negative impact, but make sure you are eating regular meals, getting a good night’s sleep, and doing what needs to be done on a day-to-day basis.
Everyone has blah days once in a while. It’s part of human nature. The trick is to not let those blah days turn into a black funk and, if they do, recognizing them as such. If you do fall into one, remember that everyone responds to them in a different way and the strategies that work for one person may not work for another. There is a ton of information out there on how to cope with depression – just do a Google search. The above is just a smattering of the strategies that may work. And if you’re really struggling, there is nothing wrong with seeking outside help. Always remember to do what you need to do for you, to keep yourself healthy.
