View Full Version : Strategies for getting yourself back in the groove?
I've had several weeks of all-around stress/general malaise that have put me in a funk. I don't like it, or me very much when I'm bogged down in it. Going to try to turn it around in May.
Step 1 -- good workout this afternoon. I will try to work out at least every other day for the rest of the month, if not more.
Step 2 will be getting my diet back under control and getting my weight moving back in the right direction. I also need to get back on my vitamin routine.
Step 3 -- Do a mind dump for both personal and work-related stuff. Stop stressing about things I can't control (much of my stress has been anxiety related while I wait to hear back on things that I can't take further action).
I think those are pretty good ways to start getting back in the groove, but would love to hear other people's suggestions/strategies. I don't want the rest of this year to be like the first 1/3 of it has been!
You've listed most of what I do. Another thing that helps me is just to have a really productive day. I make a list of things that have been nagging at me and I get them done.. Usually I really have to make myself do them - but I always feel better afterwards -- just like for getting back on the diet wagon. I feel so much better when I'm just eating good foods and not having to make all those decisions or thinking about how I shouldn't be eating something.
Good topic. I'm having a difficult time waking up from my long winter's nap because it's been so cold for so long this year. Even though I usually walk daily all year 'round, I just got tired of bundling up everyday simply to go outside. My method for change has always been to prepare my head for a few days before my 'start' date by visualizing the new me. With the break in the weather, getting outside in the sunshine and working dormant muscles has helped in the past few days. Feeling tired and sore is incentive for me to get with it again.
It really works for me to get a couple of quick "wins" in a row -- get a couple of items off the to-do list (they don't even have to be big things), come to a decison on some long-standing question/decision,... That really helps get me thinking I can keep on and do what I need to do.
Your Step 2 is my Step 1 :)
When things get busy/stressful I am less mindful about cooking and what I'm eating.
Remembering to put good energy in gives me better energy output.
I have to start with a list of gratitudes, at least 10, to get my head sorted out and then start planning and making a list of todo's that can be checked off, large and small.
As others have suggested, a couple of quick successes really helps.
The mind dump is my stumbling block. I just have a hard time shutting off the stressful things. Still working on it. I've never been one to meditate, but considering it now because my past few months have been about like yours lhamo.
Time spent in nature really recharges my batteries - walking in the woods, working in the garden.
Lhamo: you live and work in the city, right? I don't know if you've mentioned whether you have ready access to parks or other good outdoor-experience type places?
Good luck with getting out of your funk!
I can do many things, I think the first thing is to really trust my intuition about what I need to do. Then to be careful because a really strong down or stressed period makes that difficult to listen to. But here are a list of the things I commonly do
* meditate
* clean something really well
* do one thing hanging over my head
* take a walk
* don't worry about weight but do worry about the quality of food I am eating, everything needs to have nutrients.
* watch a stupid movie
I definitely start having problems if I don't exercise and don't spend enough time in wilderness. I have to have both, too-urban runs/walks or pool swimming is good but I still miss the wilderness if I don't get that.
Repeatedly telling myself that I can't do anything more until X happens, and preparing for if/when X happens also helps. Doing some meditative type stuff before bed helps me fall asleep faster and stay asleep, which also helps. Good luck!
Thanks for all the suggestions, both here and privately -- very helpful!
Today felt like the universe had totally shifted or something. The funky fog lifted and I had an AWESOME productive day today. I think there were several key factors:
1) I had a good run yesterday. Amazing how much that helps me -- really boosts my endorphins or something, and also helps me sleep more soundly. I had forgotten, actually, how different I feel when I've been working out. Had another great run just now, too.
2) Eating healthy foods and taking my vitamins. I did have some potatoes at dinner, which was more carbs than I probably should have, but I'm going to try not to obsess too much about that and just do my best to eat more protein and veggies while keeping an eye on how the starches I do eat affect me in terms of cravings
3) Went back to caffinated coffee this morning. Wow. Totally different in terms of energy level. I only have one cup before work, then green tea when I get to work, but I totally lost that morning slump I had been in the past few weeks. I had switched to decaf when I was experimenting with Atkins a couple months ago, and liked that I wasn't jittery, but really the only time I get jitters from my morning coffee is when I have 2-3 cups of it, and that's only on the weekends. So for weekdays I'll go back to regular coffee, and I'll use the decaf if I want to have second or third cups on the weekend.
4) Some stuff that I had been waiting on to resolve at work got resolved which meant there was a whole bunch of backed up, anxiety provoking work that I could plow through today. I had an AMAZINGLY productive day and am feeling much better about where things stand workwise.
Great end to the week, which was much needed.
Thankfully an event I had planned to go to but wasn't very thrilled about has been cancelled, so my weekend won't be as stressful as I was anticipating, either.
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