What can we do when we feel down or mentally disengaged?
I have come to the realization lately that there are certain things that keep me upbeat, positive, and in a good spot, mentally speaking. This isn’t a therapy session, so don’t discard this post. Have you ever replayed an issue repeatedly in your head, usually at 3AM? It seems that the issues that bother me come to haunt me in the early hours. I came to understand myself better as I realized that when I’m not engaged in things that energize me, I get down. I’m not talking about depression or devaluating others who deal with depression. This conversation should be about moments when we are not feeling upbeat or excited with our situation, and how to get back in the game of setting our mind right.
The original idea of this blog site was to share rich conversations surrounding personal development and leadership. Great conversations can uplift us, make us feel excited about the things we are involved in. It takes the right group of people who we trust with our ideas and thoughts. The same is true if you do have diagnosed depression; speak to someone. When we share information with friends, they share in your excitement. This fuels you to move forward and build enthusiasm. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have a group who currently I have great conversations with. We share our thoughts and ideas about leadership and change but most importantly we have fun doing it. These conversations build trust through vulnerability. I have said it multiple time, surround yourself with the right people, always.
Consistent consumption of positive material is so valuable. I have discovered this recently. I found that missing time with certain material gave me the feeling I was off and not focused or excited about things. We all have books, podcasts, vlogs, or social media platforms that we consume to give us enlightenment and energize our souls. We must continue to engage in the reviewing of these things in a consistent manner. If it builds us up, we need to make it a priority by scheduling time to stay engage with these things.
Avoid the negative material and if need be, people. I have watched very little news lately. Everything has a negative spin, and don’t even get me started on the interactions of people on social media. We must tune out the negative or we will catch ourselves absorbing things not healthy for our minds. It may seem impolite to ignore negative people, but we should redirect as much negative conversations as possible. Some people can just drag us down. Sometimes its gossip or just that individual’s mindset. Take these interactions as opportunities to help someone. Redirect negative conversations by pointing out the good and show people a different way. There is no doubt that being the person who redirects others, is hard. Soon, these negative conversations will change because you show your unwillingness to engage in negativity and you model a positive way.
Get some perspective in the way the best fits your life. If you’re the religious type, pray and give your problems to a higher power. Maybe meditation is your thing. Get in tune with your inner self. Time to reflect or just thing is helpful for some too. Exercise has been an outlet for many and its good for our physical health as well as our mental health. Whatever works for you, embrace it, and use it to gain perspective on your life or situation.
What group of friends could you be having rich conversations with?
What material are you consuming that keep you positively energized?
What negatives should you be avoiding?
What outlets will give you some perspective and set your mind right?
We all have moments in which we have lost our way or not fully engaged in life. The good news is, we have control and can bounce back if we choose to. The ideas expressed in this post are some I have chosen to use from time to time. When we feel a bit off or just negative for some reason, we must intentionally address it. This means, act and do something to set your mind right. I have taken steps this week to get myself right and if you’re struggling, I hope you find what you need to get back in the game. Have an awesome week, and thanks for checking in on this post.
Steven C. Bucks- Leading Conversations