How to Get Out of a Funk and Find Joy

Ordinary days drag us down, not to mention the unprecedented times we’ve been plunged into in 2020 and beyond. So how do you get out of a funk? How do you increase your day to day JOY and ditch the funky mood?

Consider these 18 suggestions as a jumping off point. Don’t dive in and do them all at once, but maybe try one today and see if it helps. If it does do it again tomorrow and maybe revisit this list and try a different one. If what you tried to get out of your funk fell flat then try a different one altogether tomorrow.

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I think the whole month of February feels like a funk. *Can I get an Amen?* It’s dreary and bleak. It’s cold and dark. It’s tiring. It’s fighting endless sickness. And it’s so easy to get stuck in a funk!

I definitely found myself in that place the winter and even though I have been using all the things to help with the winter blues I still needed more to bust out of my funk!

Funks can last from a few hours to a few days to a few weeks. Anything longer than that and I’d suggest seeing your care provider for help.

So how do you get out of a funk?

Finding small positive actions that create positive moods. Embracing joy in the little moments. Moving your body in healing and nourishing ways. Surrounding yourself with uplifting relationships. I actually created an entire Vibrance Reset Toolbox to help you get out of a funk and reset your vibrance in your everyday life.

Here are some vibrant ideas to help you break free of your funky attitude and re-find your energy, joy and purpose!

18 Ways to Get Out of A Funk and Find Joy

1. Make Your Bed

I am not by nature a bed-maker. But this small habit is often cited to increase productivity and feelings of happiness. This one positive, action can propel you to other positive actions throughout your day. I definitely have found this to be true.

Just by making my bed my mood is more relaxed and energized at the same time. My attitude goes from “might crawl back into bed at any moment to what should I conquer next!”

2. Get dressed to get out of your funk

I am a stay at home/work at home mom, so I rarely NEED to get dressed and my outfits are often pretty simple, but changing into actual clothes (not jammies or loungewear), showering, doing my hair and makeup so I’m ready to run errands or have a friend over and just generally don’t look like death when I look in the mirror helps everything feel less “funky” and more positive.

Also helps with literal funk. 😆

For some cute spring outfit ideas check out this post!

3. Open your blinds

Light makes things better. After making my bed and getting dressed (your welcome neighborhood), I open up the blinds and let a little light in!

Even on gray days it’s normally brighter outside than inside and it helps in the dead of winter not to feel so trapped in your house.

4. Seek God

The foundation of a life of joy is a life with Jesus! Start your day with devotions, spending time with God in prayer, reading the Bible, meditation and journaling.

5. Turn on some happy music

Next, turn on your favorite playlist of uplifting, fun songs. I have a long list of playlists that make me just feel happy!

Listening to positive and uplifting music was found to raise the mood of participants in this study. It’s science, ya’ll.

6. Listen to a motivational podcast

Sometimes I just need someone to amp me up and remind me that I can do it! I can be a good mom! I can achieve my goals! Here are some of my favorite motivational podcasts:

• The Rise Podcast with Rachel Hollis
• The Brendom Burchard Podcast
• The Purpose Show with Allie Cazazza
• That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs

7. Declutter or Clean

Improve your surroundings aka clean something or declutter or organize. I spent some time this morning deep cleaning and organizing in our bathroom and passing by it now it gives me a little jolt of joy.

I have this spring cleaning checklist if you are a list person and want to use it to get yourself going and have fun checking things off!

8. Get outside in nature is huge for getting out of a funky mood

Perhaps my very favorite way to get out of a funk is to spend some time outside. Whether that is taking a walk in the woods or a walk around the neighborhood or digging in the dirt preparing the yard for spring, getting outside is a proven mood booster!

9. Exercise

To quote Elle Woods, “Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”

Exercise is a great way to improve your mood. Walking and yoga are my two favorite exercises when I’m in a funk.

And even when the weather isn’t great you can still get moving! See some of my favorite fitness resources here!

To help myself exercise when I don’t feel like it, I basically lie to myself and say we are only going to exercise for 10 minutes and then once I do 10 minutes I can stop. Normally, after I get my body moving I am enjoying myself and feeling accomplished and I keep going and do a full workout!

10. Have sex

That’s it. That’s the tip.

Okay, clearly with someone you care about who cares about you and is in a committed relationship (for me that means marriage) with you.

11. Go on a date with your spouse or significant other or out with friends

Social interaction is so important. If you can’t go out on a literal date, get takeout and have an at home date night. Play board games or video games, talk, watch a movie together, anything you enjoy!

You can do virtual coffee dates with friends as well. Positive and intentional time together is huge!

12. Journal your feelings

Reflect on why you are feeling in a funk. Acknowledge and writing out your feelings is huge. I share more about my process for journaling stress and anxiety here. It’s OKAY to feel what you are feeling.

As you journal you may write out your own solutions or be surprised by what you find.

13. Essential oils can help you get out of a funk quickly

Certain smells can affect our mood. I love to use essential oils in a diffuser to help boost my mood or if you’re not an essential oil person lighting a candle provides that aromatherapy along with a comforting glow.

14. Adopt a positive affirmation

“The mind that is set on the flesh is death, but the mind that is set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

This verse was especially close to me this winter when I would start to spiral my thinking downward. I would just tell myself “No!” And repeat the verse to myself. Your positive affirmation could simply be “I choose joy today” or “I am thankful today” or “Things will get better.” Reading my Bible really helps me feel better, but any positive affirmation that aligns with you will help you!

15. Do something creative or productive

This goes along with cleaning, but doing anything that makes you feel productive and like an A+ person no matter how big or small helps me bust out of a funk.

If you are struggling to feel productive how about doing something creative like painting or coloring or creating music? Can you learn to cross stitch? Bake a loaf of sourdough bread? Move furniture around or decorate a small space?

Get your creative juices flowing or just doing ANYTHING you’re good at whether that’s creative or not can make you feel better.

16. Eat some chocolate: a tasty way to de-funk

Chocolate has been proven to raise dopamine and serotonin making you feel happier. It’s science and we can’t fight it.

I love this classic dark chocolate the most! But these little candies are a true delight as well.

Did I mention it’s science so we have to?

17. Be wise about time on social media.

Staring into someone else’s highlight reel can be a real hindrance to our own joy.

Sometimes it can spread positivity and happiness (hello memes!) and encouragement, but only you can know how much is too much or if it’s negatively or positively impacting your life.

SO. If you are starting to feel down because you’re not on a Hawaiian vacation like so and so or losing lots of time scrolling mindlessly, limit your time on social media.

Maybe you decide to only check in once or twice a day. Maybe you delete the apps from your phone so you aren’t tempted to pop on more often than you should.

I definitely think social media can boost your mood, but in the right doses and with the right people and accounts.

18. Be honest about your feelings with someone else.

Confide in a friend, counselor or other trusted person about how you are feeling. A good cry with a friend is healing medicine.

Don’t be afraid to seek professional therapy via traditional or telemedicine. We live in a world of amazing resources and thankfully mental health is de-stigmatizing more and more everyday.

I hope these tips help you feel more vibrant and get out of your funk! It’s okay to feel your feelings, but you don’t have to let your feelings “drive the car” of your life.

Positive choices create positive moods and funks don’t last forever, friends. If you want big breakthroughs broken down into daily decisions check out the Vibrance Reset Toolbox to help you get out of a funk and reset your vibrance in your everyday life.

What is ONE WAY you get out of a funk and start to feel happier?