What To Do When You Feel "BLAH"

PROBLEM: I've been feeling "blah" all week. Missing workouts, sleeping late, not being super productive. When I talked to my workout besties, it turns out I'm not the only one.

SOLUTION: For this week's post, I did some research and compiled a list of things we can do to beat the "blahs" and get back on track. Here are a few of my faves...

1. GET HAPPY! Take it from Pharrell Williams, "Clap along if you know what happiness is to you." Do you know what makes you happy? Licensed Zumba instructor Steph O has been doing the #100happydays challenge where she posts a pic of something that makes her happy every single day for 100 days. She is currently at day 28, and she is still going strong. According to 100happydays.com, "the ability to appreciate the moment, the environment and yourself in it, is the base for the bridge towards long term happiness of any human being..." So what makes you happy? Recognize it, post it, share it - and fight back against the "blah."

2. TRY SOMETHING NEW! I recently watched a group of friends run the Spartan Race (my the inspiration for the "Post-Spartan Cheerleader Challenge."). They pushed themselves WAY out of their comfort zones. But why? According to Alex Lickerman, trying new things can prevent boredom, open up new interests and possibilities in life, and force us to grow for the better. It's easy to feel "blah" when we've stopped challenging ourselves to move forward. But it definitely takes courage to take that first step. After I issued the challenge above, I submitted my resume to the talent database at JPL Creative. And after I did, I was terrified to tell anyone (I almost didn't post about it). But I can honestly say that fear-inducing challenges like this one definitely put "blah" to bed. 

3. DO SOMETHING NICE! Lower blood pressure, longer lifespan, and greater happiness all from - you guessed it - helping others. According to Leslie Goldman, "...people who completed five small acts of kindness (like helping a friend, visiting a relative, or writing a thank-you note) one day a week for six weeks experienced a significant boost in overall feelings of well-being." It's hard to be "blah" when you realize the impact you can have on the joy of another person. 

4. ROCK A NEW PLAYLIST! Ok, this is a simple one, but it works! The hubs and I just watched "The Internship" with Vince Vaugh and Owen Wilson. During the movie, as Vince and Owen prep for an important sales meeting, they rock out to their "Get Psyched" playlist. So what's on your "Get Psyched" playlist? Make a list, burn a disc, sing your heart out, and say sayonara to "blah." My current faves?

• We are Young (Fun.)
• Party in the USA (Miley Cyrus)
• And Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)
• To Be With You (Mr. Big)
• Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti/Rocky Soundtrack)

5. KEEP IT SIMPLE! Whether it's your closets or your calendar, simplicity can do wonders for your mood. And by removing the clutter, the unnecessary "stuff" that we've collected, and even the unnecessary 'to-do's' that no longer align with our goals, we make room for happy. I love this quote from Mike Burns on becomingminimalist.com. He says, "Clutter is the stuff that interferes with the life we want to live. It slows us down from doing the things we value most. It’s that unnecessary stuff that we entertain, but doesn’t help us get where we want to go. And it needs to be removed." So true. And if you don't know where to start, check out the story of Colleen Madsen of 365 Less Things. She transformed her life by just reducing her "stuff" by one item each day.

Feeling better yet? What are your best tips to beat the "blahs?" Share them in the comments below!