The other week, I was in a funk; A deep funk. Have you ever been there? The times when you feel like you can’t get out of bed, can’t do anything right, and there is a dark animated cloud raining on you wherever you walk?
Everyone at some time or another feels like that, even if it’s only for a brief moment; especially when you are in the high pressure position of being a business owner.
Our challenge as leaders in the business community is to get out of a funk as fast as possible, so we can get back to the task of leading people towards a shared vision.
Here are 8 tips to getting out a funk quickly and unscathed:
1. Exercise – Moving your body creates energy and raises your endorphin levels, which are thought to be connected to euphoric feelings. If you want an immediate boost to your attitude, just start moving!
2. Eat Well – If I want to fall asleep, I don’t take Unisom or Tylenol PM, I eat McDonalds! Foods that are high in fat and sugar affect our brain function, energy levels, and our ability to focus. If you want to get out a funk, eat nutrient and water rich foods like vegetables and fruits, and drink a ton of water.
3. Avoid Alcohol – Following a tough day, I’ve been known to say, “I need a stiff drink!” That’s exactly the opposite of what I need. What I need to feel refreshed is good nutrient rich food, meditation and journaling, and a bit of exercise. Alcohol robs your body of water and zaps your cells of energy. It is also a depressant – which makes you feel exactly the opposite of what you want to create when you’re in a funk.
4. Get Rest – Not getting out of bed when you don’t feel like it is not helpful to getting out of a funk, but consistently getting 6-8 hours of sleep is. Treat your body to a couple of nights of good rest, and just watch your mood improve.
As usual, I am a tease. I will give you the other 4 tips in my next blog. See you next week!
Jamar Cobb-Dennard is the Vice-President of Business Development for reachmore, which teaches small business owners how to build a business that runs without them. For more resources on business leadership, please visit http://blog.goreachmore.com.
