Fighting The Funk (click to comment)

Have you ever been in a funk? If you’re not sure, here’s how to tell.
– If you find yourself loading your laundry into the dishwasher, you may be in a funk.
– If you purchased a cheesecake last night and finished the whole thing in your car, you my friend are in a funk.
– If you are ironing pants with your coffee machine, you are definitely in a funk.
– If you are having your most meaningful conversations with houseplants, you are in a funk.
Symptoms may include, but not be limited to: forgetfulness, exhaustion, staring at walls, wearing your clothing inside out, binge eating and compulsively shouting out the names of former high school teachers. Believe it or not, I am no stranger to the blues. The winter months are especially tough. But here are a few things that help me fight the funk.

1) The posture exercise. Let’s do this together. Ready? Slouch down in your chair like your teachers told you not to. Round your shoulders. Take shallow breaths. Close your eyes. Frown and sigh. This is not helping, is it? In fact, I have started daydreaming about cheesecake. Scientists study this stuff and find that a simple frown triggers the grumpy centers in your brain. But it works the other way too. So try this: Stand and stretch, try to touch the ceiling. Jump up and down a few times, even if your vertical has gone horizontal. Take deep breaths and smile. If you work in an office, try this exercise every half hour. Sit with good posture and grin. If you still have a job at 5 PM, congratulations. You’ll be feeling better.
2) Move your body. If ever I catch myself talking to houseplants, I call a friend then drive to our local exercise facility and climb on the gerbil machine. Staying physically active is one of the best things you can do to fend off the funk.
3) Give thanks. Instead of talking with houseplants, talk to God. Give thanks for what you do have, and tell Him what you need. He loves giving good gifts to His kids when they ask.
4) Be Real. You may not have in all together, but the truth is that Jesus came to give you abundant life. Through faith in Jesus, you’re a new creation, a child of God. You’re free. God is working everything out for your good. His Spirit lives in you and is producing His character inside of you. Every day you look more like Him, and nothing can separate you from God’s love.

Would you fill your mind with those truths today? Don’t be afraid to move your body, grin, laugh out loud, give thanks, focus on things that are good, pure, and admirable, then remove that laundry from the dishwasher and serve yourself a single slice of cheesecake. And feel free to share with us, what is helping you fight the funk this winter?