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The next time you are exchanging pleasantries, assess your emotions and give yourself permission to be authentic and vulnerable. You will feel better knowing you’ve opened yourself up and gained support from those around you.
Some days we feel off.
Whether it be an emotional hangover from life events or simply waking up on the wrong side of the bed, there are ways to give your psyche the boost it needs to conquer the day ( … or at least make it more tolerable).
Say it out loud
“Hi, Kelsey! How are you today?” You know where this is going.
Instead of the robotic, “I’m fine, how are you?” say how you are really feeling.
You may respond with, “I’m fine,” in hopes of not burdening others or feeling judged, but you end up invalidating your emotions and experiences. Now, I am not saying you should go into detail with the colleague you pass in the hallway or barista at the local coffee shop, but when you respond in a way that lets people know you are feeling off, you are acknowledging your feelings rather than suppressing them for an eruption later. Instead, maybe it sounds like, “I had an overwhelming weekend, so I am not my best today,” or, “traffic was insane this morning, so I am a little frazzled.”
So, the next time you are exchanging pleasantries, assess your emotions and give yourself permission to be authentic and vulnerable. You will feel better knowing you’ve opened yourself up and gained support from those around you.
Do something for your body
When we feel anxious, sad or overwhelmed, the first thing we reach for after a long day of battling emotions are comfort foods, our favorite show and that oversized sweatshirt that makes us feel cozy.
And that is okay! Some days the dishes can wait while we take a pause from our everyday routine.
However, prioritizing one healthy habit before hitting the couch will give your body the benefits it needs without feeling too overwhelming.
- Commit to a 20-minute walk with a buddy (two-legged or four-legged).
- Fill up your favorite water bottle and consume it before bed.
- Choose one fruit and one vegetable to add to your dinner plate (or takeout bag).
- Do something you’re good at — puzzles, sketching, reading, etc. Set aside time for it!
Get connected, socially
No, I do not mean you should scroll endlessly on social media, because we know how that makes us feel.
Instead, when you are feeling down, don’t isolate yourself. Although this can feel like a natural instinct when you aren’t operating at 100%, it can deepen negative feelings.
Reach out to someone who understands you. Whether that’s texting a parent or sibling, video chatting with a friend who can empathize or turning off the TV to chat with your significant other. You don’t have to go down the rabbit hole of what you are feeling unless you want to, but engaging in simple conversation to pull highlights from your life can help improve your mood.
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Organizations are in a constant state of change and the Kinetiq Health team supports them every step of the way. A unique formula of people, processes and technologies enables our team to keep an educated eye on the financial and clinical implications of data to move organizations toward improved financial health and employee well-being.