Tip#1088: How To Feel Good When You Feel Horrible, Part 2 - Ready Player One

The past few days have been brutal with continued symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) such as the loss of focus, concentration, drive, confidence and even a loss of hope. And I’m not the only one because I’ve talked to several friends and colleagues who experienced similar symptoms the past few months.

Thankfully my challenges over the years have taught me to be more aware of my tried and true methods for feeling good when I feel horrible.

The Crave Canada Florida Foodie Event

I recently attended a truly epic food lover’s event called The Crave Canada Florida Foodie Event where the guests were treated with a memorably delicious three-course meal with cocktail pairings by visiting chefs and a mixologist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I also met many friendly representatives from Florida as well as other social media bloggers. The added bonus was I also won a draw prize of a trip for two to Fort Lauderdale! All these factors led to a tremendous feel-good energy I felt that truly boosted my mood for days later. My SAD symptoms were gone for a while! See photos: The Crave Canada Florida Foodie Event 

See photos: The Crave Canada Florida Foodie Event  

Be Inspired by Other People’s Achievements

Inspiration and feeling good doesn’t just come from famous historical figures or successful individuals you hear on the news, they could also be friends and family like my cousin Nat aka Napolean Jinnies. He recently made history becoming one of two of NFL's first male cheerleaders for the LA Rams! I was so happy and proud of him when I saw Nat interviewed on Good Morning America: See interview here

That's my awesome cousin Nat aka Napoleon Jinnies in the middle!

There are many other re-energizing tools I’ve used over the past weeks like pet therapy with a close friend’s Jack Russell and tabby (see photo) as well as my daily walks, joy of cooking and taking long, hot showers. And yet cinema therapy is still profoundly one of the best revitalizing methods I recommend especially if it combines the power of nostalgia like Steven Spielberg’s latest movie!



Ready Player One (2018)

The science fiction adventure film, Ready Player One, is set in 2045 where gamers are competing in the ultimate virtual reality universe filled with countless pop culture characters and creatively challenging games. This highly entertaining movie is overflowing with exciting visual effects, CGI scenery and characters starring Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance. See: movie trailer

This movie was made for anyone in love with 80’s music and grew up loving science fiction and fantasy films! I’m not a gamer but it obviously will excite this huge audience as well. For me the sense of nostalgia was so rich and plentiful that I felt injected with constant hits of joy like seeing the DeLorean from Back to the Future or the Iron Giant from the Iron Giant film.

The Joy of Easter Eggs

I won’t give any more spoilers that aren’t already in the trailer but this is the ultimate Easter egg film that also celebrates cinematic Easter eggs! And for those of you not aware of this definition, Easter eggs in movies (or video games) are hidden little surprises, inside jokes, clues or messages for viewers to find that the filmmakers deliberately inserted into the story. This has become such a fun part of repeat movie watching!

The fun of Easter eggs in movies taps into our nostalgic memories of our own Easter egg hunts as kids. And tapping into happy childhood memories are just another method you can use to re-energize yourself whenever you are feeling horrible. It’s what cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) calls pleasurable activities. These activities help produce feel-good chemicals in the brain like serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. Read more of how CBT therapy helped me in my interview with The Toronto Star: Read here

You are already surrounded by a multitude of easy-to-apply ways of uplifting, inspiring and motivating yourself out of your low moods. You just need to increase your awareness that the things you love or love doing are your personal, therapeutic tools.

Whether it’s films, food, friends, pets, gaming, nostalgia or Easter eggs hunts remember to indulge in these activities. They are there to re-ignite your feel-good energy and your enthusiasm for life!

Related Tips:
Tip#473: How To Feel Good When You Feel Horrible - Horrible Bosses
Tip#1088: How To Feel Good When You Feel Horrible, Part 2 - Ready Player One
Tip#1023: The Uplifting Power of Nostalgia, Part 6 – Rocky Balboa & Creed - Double Feature



DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE DEALING WITH
DEPRESSION, S.A.D. OR DIFFICULT TIMES?
• READ: Top 10 Inspiring Movies for Managing Depression
• READ: Emmanuel & Depression featured in The Toronto Star
• LISTEN: Emmanuel's CBC Radio Interview on Movie Messages of Hope: The Fresh Air Show
• WATCH: Uplifting Movie Montage produced by Emmanuel Lopez!
• DISCOVER: 8 Creative Tools for Motivation & Depression

Remember How Movies Can Help You:
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Inspiration & Motivation

 

Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker
Discover How Movies Inspire, Motivate & Empower You!
See website: www.motivatorman.com
 
© Emmanuel Lopez 2018