When you are feeling blue it can be hard to get through the day without dragging your feet and lacking energy. The blues can occur for a variety of reasons, from having an unsettling experience which knocks your resolve to simple brain chemistry.

Kicking out mild depression and a feeling of grogginess can be tough, as it’s hard to give yourself a pep talk or see your way out of feeling unhappy when your mindset is negative. There are ways you can alter the way you’re thinking however, and doing so can help you see the brighter side of situations, or at least help you deal with them effectively.

Take a walk

Even if the last thing you want to do is make an effort, push yourself to get up and go out into the fresh air. Take a walk, and instead of reviewing what’s making you blue, concentrate on what’s going on around you.

This will serve by giving your mind a break, and helping you get back to reality. If your mind is constantly troubled, or you can’t stop thinking about how wretched you feel, your thoughts will remain negative until you are more emotionally grounded. Glancing at nature, and life going on around you, can help you put thoughts into perspective.

Listen to fast tempo music

Listening to the right music can be an uplifting experience. Sad slow melodies should be avoided when you’re down, unless you want to wallow. If you prefer to send the blues packing listen to music with an up beat tempo, and songs with a positive message to help you feel lighter and happier.

Eat feel good food

Eating food containing tryptophan can help you feel better. Tryptophan is associated with the feel good hormone serotonin, and can be found in turkey, chicken breast, lamb loin, tuna, salmon and yellowfin, as-well as certain other food.

Exercise

Jogging, cycling, swimming, aerobics, tennis, and a variety of other forms of exercise can help release more feel good hormones into your system and give you an emotional and physical boost.

Talk

Talking with a friend who can see the bright side of life can help you feel joyful. Spend time with a positive person you know from past experience can cheer you up and help you feel less negative and low.

Dance

Dancing, whether undertaken alone at home with the stereo blaring, or in a nightclub with friends, can help you release pent up negativity and alter your emotional state.

Do something different

If you’re feeling blue the worst thing you can do is remain static. Get up and do something different. Perhaps you usually curl up on the sofa and dwell on unhappy events when you’re blue, or let negative thoughts rush around your head repeatedly as you go about your day.

Make a change, even if it’s in the position you’re sitting in if that’s all you’re capable of. The more changes you make, however small, the more likely you’ll be able to banish the blues.