How do you get out of a funk?

depresssion is complicated; usually the first step is to force "you" to take to family physician, who will ask you some questions and suggest some treatment. That is usually a combo of meds. (most often temporary, but not always) and someone w. whom "you" feel compatible for talk therapy.

*talk. You break the cycle by taking one baby step - towards some help.

Also should mention from personal experience that finding the right anti-depressant is an art, not a science. I had to try 5 before I found one that suited...no longer on it, I might add. I now have a different attitude and use walking or treadmill as med. of choice. (Also took some mind-body classes, yoga, tai chi etc.)

I'm all for spending some time outside in the sun. Do you have a garden? A neighborhood you could walk around? I think even just sitting outside for half an hour, looking at trees or grass, or people-watching in a park, helps with a funk.

Also, sometimes I like to make a list in a journal or just write out on a piece of paper about the funk. Even if there's nothing specific causing it, sometimes writing about the ickiness leads to a realization of what's really behind it, and/or helps me get perspective on the mood and think of a good first step to getting out of it.

Also, you can just wait. Depression is almost always time-limited, and your mood will generally improve on its own with time. (Not really proactive, but sort of comforting).

i appreciate all the seriousness, but maybe i didn't phrase my question well. for anyone on the list that knows me, i'm quite the anti-lethargy or hardcore depressive --- but i, my boyfriend, my best friend (and i'm guessing all energetic and optimistic people in the world) all get grumpy and lazy sometimes, and i was asking for new ideas to perk someone up (yourself or another). i was expecting answers along the lines of 'this comedy skit on google video always makes me smile' 'my favorite eclair and a walk around the block usually does it for me' 'when i get cranky i call my best friend and she gives me perspective' 'a tickle fight' 'look at pictures of baby animals' 'draw a picture of your dream house/world/etc' '50 jumping jacks, even if you don't feel like it' ...... some of these are a little ridiculous, but maybe it gets the idea across. like the sitting outside in the sun and taking a walk around the neighborhood - i did both of those things yesterday (before posting the question) and was just thinking how great those are. i don't mean DEPRESSION so much as just waking up on the wrong side of the bed. a rotten mood that can be turned around in an hour or two. i just thought (particularly with so many depressing things in the world) people must all have their little things they do to keep their spirits/energy up when they run out of steam.

To combat funk I: Listening to this American Life podcasts particularly one when David Sedaris is on.

Ooops hit return before done. For a funk: I also try something I've never done before (a crazy art project, cooking something you never have, different athletic activity, etc..) that engages your mind enough it gets you focused on doing the activity instead of the thoughts that are keeping you in the funk. I also sometimes own it and say to people if they ask how i am " know what - I am in the worst mood today" and by admitting it, and saying why, it helps break out of it. (but then move onto another subject and not focus in on the bad mood.)

I was in a similar funk, not depressed, just more subject to up and down moods and sometimes irked by reading the news, similar to what you are describing. Everyone kept telling me to excercise, but I just ignored them. finally I gave in and I joined a gym where I had to go regularly because i got a bunch of free sessions with a trainer when i joined (24hour fitness). after a few weeks of regular excercise I really found that my moods were more regulated. I was much less moody, much more even-keeled, and i felt a lot better. It actually worked. Another really silly suggestion, that actually works, is to skip. I mean it. Skip like a fifth grader when you are walking down the street. You will automatically start to smile. You just can't be in a bad mood when you are skipping!

It's taken me years to be able to distinguish between being in a funk and being depressed. The former is sooooo easy to deal with, in comparison. My usual remedy, especially when experienced as getting out on the wrong side of the bed: go back to bed. For me, funk=not enough sleep. Also, a variation: hide under the covers. And then go for a long walk listening to my favorite music on the ipod. Works at least half the time.

"you just rather lay in bed and watch a movie (ALL THE TIME)" I am delighted that you are just in a funk. That sentence I quoted sounded more alarming...Laughing always works for me. Last night I saw for the umpteenth time Victor Borge on PBS..I was on the floor. Also never complain to casual acquaintances. When they ask how you are, just say, "Fine, thanks" and smile a ,huge toothy grin.

If you are generally as proactive as you say, you probably need your funky days to balance out all that false cheer. No joke.

My grandmother used to talk about how friends of hers might be "enjoying ill health" on a given day. Worked for them. Let it work for you. You deserve time-outs just like the old ladies on their porches in Virginia (including my very own Gran).

p.s. sorry I said "false" cheer. If it were me - I'm a grumpy person, by choice - it would be false. Maybe for you it's real. Didn't mean to project.

i know this is an old post, but i think blasting music and dancing around like a crazy person is pretty fun! if you feel "depressed" for a longer period of time, i recommend taking omega 3s that are specially formulated to deal with mood. ive been doing that about 4 months now and i feel awesome!

The things that have helped me are as follows:

Prozac, and any kind of upper...Provigial, Adderol etc.

I surf the Internet if I can, or play a favorite video game. Sometimes, I just have to rant and rave at whoever will listen to me, and they realize that I need cheering up, so they do that. My friends have got me pretty figured out, as far as moodiness goes.