If you're not feeling so great at the moment, there are ways you can help yourself. Here are my top four tips: 1) Notice the positives. Spend time thinking about it, listing the positives in your life. What's happened in the last week that has been a positive experience for you? If you haven't done so already, start working on your positivity jar. Each week for the remainder of the year, think of something you have enjoyed about the past week, write it on a slip of paper and pop it in the jar. On this day next year, you can take a look at all of the positives that took place this year! 2) Be kind to others. It doesn't take much to smile at someone or to reach out with a gesture of some kind. You never know what someone else is going through and a small gesture can change their day for the better! 3) Be kind to yourself. This is something we often shy away from, we can be very self-critical in so many different ways. So, think about whether you would say the same things to a close friend that you say to yourself. The likelihood is you wouldn't! So give yourself a break! Take some time for you today, whether that's going for a run, enjoying a coffee with a friend or just having some 'me' time away from the stresses of life! 4) Begin or develop a mindfulness practice! Find time in your life for this as it could, quite possibly, change your life for the better! There are many courses available so think about booking onto one near you or simply buy a mindfulness book (written by a credible author!) and follow the exercises outlined!
If you have had a constant low mood for some time, then please do consider getting some professional help for it. The Counselling Directory (www.counselling-directory.org.uk) holds a list of accredited practitioners who may be able to assist.