Conquering Fourth Quarter Blues!

The first set is the hardest because it’s the warmup. My first set of bench presses is 50 reps, the second is 40, the third is 30 reps. The weight including the bar is about 135lb and I separate each set with 20 bicep curls. But I’m usually not in the gym on Mondays, especially a commercial gym. But I felt “down” for some reason and knew I needed to get more blood and oxygen to the brain; exercising on a day I usually read, write, and work all day was the best solution.

I was “blue” and didn’t know why. I had a good breakfast, had no stress outside the drive to get a lot done, and was well rested. I was in a mental fog and feeling emotionally low but had checked all the “gauges”. Then I figured it out; it was usually dark in the morning when I wake up at 5am but it was not still dark at 7am or getting dark at 7pm. The change in sunlight really does make a difference and the “body clock” adjustment was taking its toll. Figuring out the cause is 80% of having a solution. For me, it was forcing myself to “get out” of my office and go to the gym, whether I felt like it or not…and I didn’t feel like it.

That’s where the topic of today’s post came from. I’ve found the quickest way to change a negative mindset to positive is to think about how I can help someone else. It also gives me time to pause to consider those enduring serious depression and gloominess they wish they could just snap out of. It allows me to be compassionate because I remember the days of being deeply depressed from enduring a traumatic life event that took years to correct. So, here are three things to do when the blues pay us a visit.

First, check your gauges. How’s your diet and hydration? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you allowing the attitude and actions of others to mentally linger? Are you socializing with people that have your best interests? Is it temporary blues or constant gloominess that could indicate a deeper imbalance? How would you know? If it’s temporary, you can answer these questions, if not, it’s more serious than the blues.

Second, make a gratitude list. Enumerate everything you can be thankful for. Yes, this seems simple, but that’s how happiness, contentment, and mental clarity work. It’s your ability to change your “state” that creates the shift we need as Tony Robbins has taught for over four decades, and that spiritual law has dictated for over six thousand years of human existence.

Third, engage in some physical activity. Get out the house, take a walk in the sun, go to the gym, call a friend to check up on them, do something that makes you move. Sure, we may not “feel” like it, which is the reason it has to be done. I promise you your state will change, and you’ll feel better.

Fourth quarter is here, but you’re ready to take advantage of it!

Wish you all the blessings and success you deserve!

Floyd

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