Combating the Gloomies
It was a gloomy few days for me over the weekend. I was sick, for one thing, so I spent most of it in bed. That is always a bit depressing all by itself. Then, there was the weather. The clouds were thick and overcast, and the sun had hidden its face for days. I am highly affected by the lack of sunshine. I always have been. Whenever life gets heavy, and the gray clouds take over the sky, I make a point to notice the outside forces that are adding to the way I feel, and I combat those with intention and focus.
I don’t allow myself to lie in bed for multiple days at a time. One day is fine. Everybody needs a break from life and a few hours of self‑care. Sometimes you just need to pull the covers over your head, and have a good cry while forgetting the rest of the world. After that, though, it is time to press through the darkness. What is my strategy? I choose to shower, put on “outside clothes,” go for a walk, or perhaps turn on some happy music—but I have to do something to help myself or those occasional gloomies will take over and move into full blown depression.
I learned years ago that life won’t stop moving because I feel sad, and if I give myself permission to drag out that disposition, it will take me to places that weigh me down in the mire. That stuff is hard to get out of, and believe me, once you’ve been there, you never want to go back. So I’ve learned to be proactive with my mental health.
The first thing I do, even while I am laying in the bed with the cover over my head is talk to Jesus. He knows my sorrow. He knows my frailty. The Bible tells me that He was tempted in all points, just as we are. That means that if I take Him at His word, He has dealt with the intense grief and sorrow just like I have. So what would Jesus have done with that? If you follow Him through Scripture, you’ll find that He went straight to the Father. This is where comfort and encouragement are found. He is always there and willing to hear my cries. He is the One who lifts my spirit and carries my burdens.
But after I have cried to the Father and rested for a bit, it is time to take control and send those gloomies out the door. That means encouraging myself with the things I know will help my mood. Taking a walk outside boosts serotonin, even when the clouds are still gray. Seratonin is a mood stabilizer, and it is an important tool for your arsenal. Laughter releases endorphins, so watching something you find funny can be genuinely helpful. Taking a multivitamin helps your body in ways you don’t even fully realize. B vitamins are important, too. They soothe your nerves and help you feel calmer. Clutter and things out of place can make it feel like the world is closing in on you, when in reality, it’s just your laundry. The point is that when you are going through a hard time, falling back on things that you know normally make you feel encouraged and invigorated can go long way to help pull you back to good head space.
What I’ve learned is that no one is coming to help me get a grip on my emotions—or even my life. People may try to be an encouragement for a moment, but at the end of the day, my mental health is often in my own hands. So, I have to be proactive. I have to choose to do things that lift my spirits. I have to encourage myself. I can’t wait for something or someone else to do the heavy lifting for me. The only other option is to lie in bed and wait for death to come take me, which would be a very long process, considering I have enough stored around my waist to keep me alive for quite some time.
If you are having a gloomy day—or even a gloomy week—remember that it will pass. It isn’t forever. There will come a day when the sun shines again and your soul is encouraged. For now, have a good cry if you need to, but after that, wash your face and get moving. You’ll feel better soon. Oh, and have a piece of chocolate. A little dopamine is just good medicine. 🍫