Chat With Nat - In a funk and unable to find life's silver linings
Dear Nat,
I've been having trouble seeing the positive side of things lately. Finding the silver lining in situations usually comes so naturally to me, but between work, school and hardly having time for a decent social life, I've just been feeling bummed out. I'm not depressed, but I'm definitely in a funk. How can I start seeing the good in things again?
Debbie Downer
Dear Debbie Downer,
A positive outlook on life is one of the most important aspects when trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Whether you're faced with a ton of work, relationship problems, or shedding that stubborn 5 lbs after Thanksgiving weekend, seeing the good in every situation will make tackling tough days a breeze.
Put things in perspective: It's all about mind over matter! By simply taking a step back from your situation and analyzing it from a third-party point-of-view, you'll be separating yourself and your problems long enough to see things more clearly. Oftentimes, we immerse ourselves so heavily in our own dilemmas that we end up drowning in a pool of self-pity. It's up to you to throw yourself a ring buoy and swim to dry land! Furthermore, try the “if” and “then” approach when trying to find reassuring answers in your hectic life. For example: “If I fail my exam tomorrow, then I'll just have to study harder next time. If this exam flunked me from my course, then I'll have to face the consequences and talk to a guidance counsellor to get back on track!”
Take time for yourself: A lot of people are guilty of putting everything before themselves. Sure it's important to get our everyday todo lists out of the way, but starving yourself of anything else is going to leave you feeling like you've hardly accomplished anything. As philosopher Aristotle once said: “Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human.” To cut to the chase, even back in 384 BC, considering yourself too busy to socialize was considered a blasphemous trait. To an extent, the same can be thought of today, in that no one should consider themselves too busy to stop and smell the roses every once in a while.
Fake it till you make it: Even on the days where you feel absolutely exhausted, try to smile. Studies have shown that once our smiling muscles in our face are in motion, positive signals are sent to our brain to reinforce a feeling of joy throughout our body. Some say that, “smiling can stimulate our brain's reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a well-regarded pleasure-inducer, cannot match.” So skip the sweets and simply smile.
Never rob your body of the essentials: Sleep, exercise and proper nutrition will never steer you in the wrong direction. When practiced regularly, all three will contribute to you making more rational decisions, lowering your stress levels and feeling stronger overall. And if life has taught me anything, feeling and believing that you're physical and mentally fit will have you achieving more than you might have originally thought possible.
To reiterate, always put things in perspective (remember the “if” and “then” method), take time for yourself, smile even when you don't feel like it, and remember to never starve yourself of life's everyday essentials — you'll feel happier in no time.
If you've got a query for Quinlan, shoot her an email at chatwithnat.fsu@gmail.com. All published questions will be entered into monthly random draws to win a $10 FSU coupon for Oasis and Out Back Shack.
I've been having trouble seeing the positive side of things lately. Finding the silver lining in situations usually comes so naturally to me, but between work, school and hardly having time for a decent social life, I've just been feeling bummed out. I'm not depressed, but I'm definitely in a funk. How can I start seeing the good in things again?
Debbie Downer
Dear Debbie Downer,
A positive outlook on life is one of the most important aspects when trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle. Whether you're faced with a ton of work, relationship problems, or shedding that stubborn 5 lbs after Thanksgiving weekend, seeing the good in every situation will make tackling tough days a breeze.
Put things in perspective: It's all about mind over matter! By simply taking a step back from your situation and analyzing it from a third-party point-of-view, you'll be separating yourself and your problems long enough to see things more clearly. Oftentimes, we immerse ourselves so heavily in our own dilemmas that we end up drowning in a pool of self-pity. It's up to you to throw yourself a ring buoy and swim to dry land! Furthermore, try the “if” and “then” approach when trying to find reassuring answers in your hectic life. For example: “If I fail my exam tomorrow, then I'll just have to study harder next time. If this exam flunked me from my course, then I'll have to face the consequences and talk to a guidance counsellor to get back on track!”
Take time for yourself: A lot of people are guilty of putting everything before themselves. Sure it's important to get our everyday todo lists out of the way, but starving yourself of anything else is going to leave you feeling like you've hardly accomplished anything. As philosopher Aristotle once said: “Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human.” To cut to the chase, even back in 384 BC, considering yourself too busy to socialize was considered a blasphemous trait. To an extent, the same can be thought of today, in that no one should consider themselves too busy to stop and smell the roses every once in a while.
Fake it till you make it: Even on the days where you feel absolutely exhausted, try to smile. Studies have shown that once our smiling muscles in our face are in motion, positive signals are sent to our brain to reinforce a feeling of joy throughout our body. Some say that, “smiling can stimulate our brain's reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a well-regarded pleasure-inducer, cannot match.” So skip the sweets and simply smile.
Never rob your body of the essentials: Sleep, exercise and proper nutrition will never steer you in the wrong direction. When practiced regularly, all three will contribute to you making more rational decisions, lowering your stress levels and feeling stronger overall. And if life has taught me anything, feeling and believing that you're physical and mentally fit will have you achieving more than you might have originally thought possible.
To reiterate, always put things in perspective (remember the “if” and “then” method), take time for yourself, smile even when you don't feel like it, and remember to never starve yourself of life's everyday essentials — you'll feel happier in no time.
If you've got a query for Quinlan, shoot her an email at chatwithnat.fsu@gmail.com. All published questions will be entered into monthly random draws to win a $10 FSU coupon for Oasis and Out Back Shack.
