Feeling Blue? 4 Tools to Get You Out of a Bad Mood

Today--January 16^th--is considered Blue Monday. Apparently, it’s the saddest day of the year. Who knew? After weeks of cold, dark weather-- and as post-Christmas credit card bills start rolling in--many people sink to a new low.

What can you do if you find yourself in a lull? Well, here’s 4 things you can do to help boost your spirit:

Bop with your Favourite Band. Music and movement have amazing benefits. They can reduce stress, change your mood and affect the brain just as much as medication can! So, turn on your UCB Radio and start dancing to those uplifting tunes! You may just find that not only the music but the encouraging lyrics lift your spirits and focus your brain on Jesus.

Push Those Podcasts. Jesus said that the truth will set you free. But in order to be transformed by truth, we need to be fed by it. God uses the Bible, sermons, devotionals, and even podcasts to speak to our soul and give us guidance afresh. If you’re looking for some truth to boost your mood while you’re cleaning house, making dinner or working out, you can find handy Christ-centred podcasts through UCB’s “Hope On Demand” portal. You never know what words of truth God will show you!

Abide in Appreciation. It’s easy to focus on the negative, but asking yourself “What is something that is going well?” and writing that down, no matter how small it is, helps you begin to “look” for the positive in life. Daily writing down a few things you’re grateful for each day, or making a point of complimenting someone else, can get your mind off yourself and your circumstances and on to the blessings of your life.

Pour out Your Prayers. There’s a reason talking with a friend feels good. It gets things off our chest and we entrust our woes with another. But imagine talking with a Friend who knows what’s best for you, who created you, who knows every detail of your life! So pour out your prayers to God, or if you find it hard to pray--or want extra prayer--send in a prayer request to UCB Canada. Sharing your heart may lighten your load and give you hope.

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Life is not always going to be happy. There will be tough times that plummet your mood and your ability to cope. But there are little things you can do, or tools you can try, to "up" your self-care and give you a fighting chance to walk through those low points. More importantly, there is a God who knows your struggles and promises to be with you through them.

You’ve got this. And so does God.