Have you ever noticed that when you feel upbeat and positive, you are much more likely to engage in positive behaviors? In those upbeat moods I can visualize my own success. I feel a sense of momentum, of being “on a roll,” and one good action just seems to lead to another! But when I am feeling down and unhappy with myself, or life in general, I am much more likely to do things I will regret later. In these “down” moods, I may feel so lethargic that I avoid movement and exercise altogether, or I may resort to comforting myself by binging on unhealthy foods — even though that behavior only makes me feel even worse afterwards. Can you relate?
Is there a way to avoid these black moods and the self-destructive behaviors that sometimes follow them? Whether it’s PMS, or the natural bio-rhythms of our bodies, or just dealing with the ups and downs of life, there’s really no way to avoid the “down” times — they happen to all of us. So how can we deal with them in a more positive way?
Sometimes life is like a storm at sea, and you just have to hold on tight until things calm down. Count to a thousand… Pray… Meditate… Turn on some soft music… Take a bubble-bath… Any positive action that brings peace and comfort. If you know that you have a tendency to binge on junk foods when you are feeling unhappy, tense or irritable, then you may want to go for a walk or send yourself to your room(!) or do something else that gets you away from a potential “crime scene” (your kitchen). Calling a friend may help, or sharing your troubles with your Oxy-friends – caring people who have “been there” are just a few clicks away at the OxyChat Message Room.
Or you might try writing an “emergency response” instruction sheet for yourself about how you will handle the situation. Do this when you are feeling upbeat and positive and then save it for when you need it. I have collected inspiring thoughts, letters from friends, thank you cards, special memories, poetry, and compliments from others in a folder I call my “Sunshine File.” Reading through these things always lifts my mood.
Another remedy that really works – IF you will do it! – is Oxycise! itself. I know it’s hard to make yourself do a workout when you are feeling crummy. So don’t think of it as doing a workout… think of it as “Emergency Breathing!”
The very next time you feel one of those moods coming on – whether it’s bad news, anxiety, stress, anger, or depression – just stop everything. Then sit down, close your eyes, and do nothing else but breathe. Try to tune out the world and focus on breathing in and out, deeply and slowly. After ten deep breaths, go ahead and do some real reps, if you feel like it…. or do ten more deep breaths. I think you will find that your stress level will diminish with each breath and you will discover renewed inner strength. Repeat as needed!
A friend told me that she gets the “blahs” almost every day, about mid-afternoon, and so she has made a point to schedule her Oxycise! workout specifically for that time of day. She says it has worked wonders as a natural mood-lifter.
We’d love to hear how Oxycise! has helped you in dealing with life’s ups and downs!
