Feeling cold and gloomy?..You need my 10 minute rule!

When it's cold outside, it's easy to feel gloomy and dull.

It starts with a shiver in the cold wind, add to that a lack of sunshine, and before you know it - no amount of clothing is doing the trick in keeping you warm.

THAT'S when we have a choice:

1. Do we go down that slippery spiral of doom?

OR

2. Do we recognise whats going on, and decide to take some action. (Pronto!)?

Yeah, I know it's tough, because we kinda know what the right thing to do is, but heck - can we be bothered to pick ourselves up?

That's when I think about my '10 minute rule'.

Here's the deal - you are allowed (if you must) to wallow in your gloominess for 10 minutes.
Oh, yeah maximum.

After that, you're done. No more gloom. Pick yourself, using one of the tips below (or anything you want to get out of the doom pit).

1. Make yourself laugh.
    Read something funny, listen to something funny, do something funny.
    I know you feel silly - but so what? you need to change your state of mind, so no excuses.

2. Move your butt.
    Go for a (brisk) walk. Jump up and down a few times (go somewhere quiet if you don't want
     to be seen. Walk up and down the stairs a few times. Get to a gym if you can, or just move
     around more.

3. Think of something hot (steady...I'm talking about a place).
     Get a picture of  a Caribbean beach and stick it on or near your desk at work - or in the kitchen
     at home.
    Grab a few holiday brochures and start dreaming (it works!)....or even better, book a holiday.

4. Make a hot cuppa!
    This is the quick, easy and no excuse option - in fact don't just make one for yourself. Make
    one for everyone at work/home. This act of kindness/sociability will raise happiness levels.
    And go on..throw in a biscuit.

5. Thank your lucky stars....
     If you have a kettle to put on-
     Or friends/family to talk to -
     Or a coat/jumper on your back-
     Or a holiday to look forward to-
     In short - thinking about the good things in your life, will cheer you up. You probably have so much more than most people....so cheer up!



So WHY is 10 minutes your limit for feeling gloomy ?

Because after that, your negative emotional state - and negativity - will be felt by those around you.
You may well be dragging someone else down into your 'pit' with you.
And - the longer you are down there, the harder it is to get back up.

And Remember This - when you are feeling cold and gloomy, who would you rather be with -
Someone miserable who saps your energy, OR someone who cheers you up, makes you laugh and
brightens up your day?

You choose.      
(I'm off to make a cuppa..... )

Amana
Straightforward, straight talking coach.
www.amanawalker.com