Bad Day Remedies: Cheap and Easy Cures for the Blues
February 18, 2010 | Lauren Van Mullem
I’m feeling a bit blue today. I got rejected for a job this morning, my state taxes are taking all my money, and I feel fat. Basically, the reasons why I’m feeling down prevent me from cheering myself up in my favorite ways: shopping and eating. So what can I do to stop being depressed that won’t cost money or make me gain weight? Here are my sure-fire cures for the blues that don’t cost a cent or a calorie.
If you were dumped by your boyfriend or girlfriend, if you were rejected from your first choice college, if your friends, or family, or lack of money are stressing you out–then upload Sheryl Crow’s “Soak up the sun” to your iPod and cheer up with these cheap and easy remedies for bad days.
Step 1: Soak up the sun
Sheryl Crow was so right. Go outside in your bikini (SoCal is having a mid-February heat wave right now, so that’s what I’ll be doing), or at least go outside and sit in the sun. Sitting indoors in a dark room is depressing. But going outside in the fresh air and sunlight is uplifting, and even productive if you bring a book with you. My favorite books to read in the sun are the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris – a total guilty pleasure.
The Ultraviolet rays that get such bad press for causing skin cancer actually help release endorphins in your body. Endorphins make you feel good, relieve pain, and can cause sudden bursts of energy and pleasure. It’s what you feel after working out, getting a massage, or eating chocolate. An added benefit of sunlight is Vitamin D, which helps your body to use calcium to strengthen bones and supports your immune system so you can fight off the flu. However, sunscreen inhibits the production of Vitamin D and endorphins by blocking the UV rays – so instead of lying out for hours with sunscreen, try 20 minutes outside without it.
Step 2: Work out
Another way to get those endorphins going is to exercise. Working out is no fun for the first ten minutes, but after that your body will kick into gear and you will start feeling buff. But it’s not just about managing your brain chemistry; working out gives you a feeling of accomplishment and confidence that stays with you all day.
Step 3: At-home facial
A little pampering can do a lot for a girl. Here’s my recipe for a perfect at-home facial:
1. Pour boiling water in a large bowl with a few sprigs of rosemary, put a towel over your head, and lower your face into the steam. This will open up your pours, and the rosemary has antibacterial properties that may help acne (and it smells nice).
2. Rub a little sesame oil and sugar in the palm of your hand and use it as a facial scrub. The oil will soften your skin, and the sugar will exfoliate. Wash your face with soap to remove the oil and sugar.
3. Now cover your face with honey. Seriously. It doesn’t take much, maybe a teaspoon, and it is totally sticky, but the antibacterial properties of honey will help your complexion, and it makes your skin soft too.
Step 4: Make plans
While your face is covered in honey, use that time to email a couple of friends and make plans to see them. Nothing brings you out of a slump like looking forward to future fun.
Step 5: Do something that makes you proud
For me, writing this post fills the bill for doing something productive. But, finishing some homework, applying for a scholarship or new job, starting a creative project, or even cleaning your room will give you a sense of accomplishment.
What not to do:
1. Don’t stay inside all day. Even if the weather is terrible, at least venture out to a coffee shop. You may feel like spending the day in your PJs with a bowl of popcorn and a stack of DVDs, but that would be a mistake. If you get up, shower, dress, and look good, you will feel good too.
2. Don’t watch TV. Even if you have recorded your favorite shows and need to catch up on the last episode of Lost, save it for when you’re in a better mood. Watching TV is a short term fix – you’ll be happily distracted for 45 minutes and then you’ll be just as depressed as you were before.
3. Don’t whine to your friends or significant other about your problems. Misery loves company, and a little sympathy will make you feel better, but don’t talk about your problems so much that you wallow in them.
4. Don’t stay up late. Everything seems worse at night, so go to bed early and wake up with a fresh perspective.
5. Don’t drink. If you drink to make yourself feel better, then you will definitely not wake up with a fresh perspective in the morning. You’ll wake up with a hangover, and that won’t help!
This post was actually really helpful, especially the what not to do part. I was doing almost everything on the what not to do list, and it really doesn’t make you feel better. I just found out that I can’t go to the university I want to, even though I was conditionally accepted, because I won’t be able to meet one little deadline. Know I feel that everything I have done up to this point has been a waste of time. But reading this put me in a slightly better mood.
Thanks!