There are a lot of reasons why you might not feel like yourself. It’s common to feel different after a breakup or the loss of a loved one. Many people feel unlike themselves after losing a job or an accident, like a car crash or slip and fall. Even positive life changes, like an approaching wedding or having a baby, can make you feel a little strange.
The trouble is, not feeling like yourself can be uncomfortable, especially if the feeling persists. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do right away to feel a little bit more like your old self again right now.
Move Your Body
One of the best things you can do when you’re feeling a little strange is move your body. Exercise has been shown to be wonderful for your mental health.
Exercise not only affects your body, but it affects your brain by increasing blood supply which supports neuron signaling, growth, and connections. It can help regulate emotions, increase learning, and it can help you think through a problem with clarity of mind.
Don’t have time to go to the gym? No problem! Any way you can move your body can help. Go for a long walk, do a little stretching, or go for a bike ride. It can all make you feel better.
Read a Book
It’s true that thinking through your thoughts and feelings is important, but there comes a point when you just need to stop. There are many ways to do this, but one of the best is to read a book.
Fiction books can transport you to another world that makes you completely forget about the world you live in, but non-fiction books can be helpful too. For example, a biography about a famous person can inspire you to keep moving forward.
If you want to work on the way you think about the world, there are books for that too! These kinds of books can help you tackle your thoughts and feelings in new ways, leaving you with a better way to view the world that feels more authentic and empowering.
Do Something You Love
We often feel less like ourselves when we’re stuck doing things that we don’t enjoy. It’s easy to get caught up in going to work, doing the dishes, and folding the laundry, which can make life seem dull and depressing.
Shake things up by doing something you love! If it has been a while, think back to hobbies you used to enjoy and pick one up again. It will help you get back in touch with yourself.
Feeling stuck? A few things to try include:
- Cook a new recipe
- Paint or draw
- Knit or sew
- Start a new scrapbook
- Go outside and take pictures
- Redecorate your home
Create a Routine You Want to Stick To
Although routines can make life a little dull, they can also provide you with wonderful benefits. Having a routine can reduce stress and it can eliminate the uncertainty of making decisions, no matter how minor. The trick is to create a routine that you actually want to stick to. No one wants to get stuck with a routine they feel like they don’t have any control over!
For example, create a bedtime routine that involves taking a bath, reading a book, and stretching, if those are things that make you feel good. If not, maybe you want to watch a movie or write in a journal. It doesn’t matter what the routine is, as long as it’s something you look forward to doing every day.
Talk to Someone
If you aren’t feeling like yourself, you should reach out. Friends and family often make us feel most like ourselves when they’re around, so plan a time to get together. Even if you don’t talk about what’s troubling you, you’re likely to walk away feeling a little more like your old self again.
You may also want to consider seeing a therapist or counselor. Even if you don’t have a diagnosable disorder, talk therapy can provide you with many benefits that will help you live your life the way you want.
You aren’t alone if you don’t feel like yourself. It’s normal to feel a little off kilter every once in a while, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel that way forever. There are plenty of things you can do to feel better right away.