We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t feel down from time to time. It’s unnatural and unrealistic to feel good all the time.

It’s also really okay to sit with negative emotions when they show up, to simply feel them, without trying to change them.

So why do we even talk about upshifting energetically if feeling down is normal?

It depends how long we spend feeling down.

Feeling down is normal, as long as it doesn’t become a default, an autopilot, a comfort zone. Feeling down does not mean that you need to get depressed. Feeling down does not mean choosing to suffer.

Feeling down serves you when you deliberately choose:

• how long to stay there
• when to begin spiraling up

We, the Beacons of Change, are meant to bring light into the world.

We (Beacons, empaths, and Highly Sensitive People) have a sacred responsibility.

A responsibility to uplift ourselves, uplift others, uplift the world. Every time we upshift, we contribute to the well-being in the world.

There is enough negativity in the world, especially these days, and we are being called to rise and shine. (Practice #10 of the 12 Practices for Living at Full Power). Download a colorful copy here.

Here are 9 ways to upshift when you’re feeling down.

1. Ground yourself.
   Be intentional about growing roots and grounding yourself with the earth, as well as growing branches and grounding yourself with the divine. Watch and read the Grounding Tree Visualization and add it to your Beacon’s toolbox.
2. Move your body.
   Walk. Run. Sing. Dance. Shake things up. You don’t have to work hard at the gym (although that might be a good idea as well…) Move your body in the simplest way. The physical movement will get you started on a spiral upward. 
3. Think outside your color box.
   Some people call colors the “natural anti-depressant.” Whether you use them in your living space, wear them on your body, or add them to your food, welcome more colors into your life and notice their effects.
4. Reframe
   The next time you get anxious, pause. Take a paper and a pen and start writing down the thought. What’s the negative voice inside you? What does it say? What creates the feeling of anxiety? When you get to the core of the thought—really to what triggered the negative feeling—stop. First of all, celebrate the fact that you got this awareness. Then ask yourself, “What’s a more supportive thought that I can create right now?” By creating this more positive thought, you can start reversing your trajectory.
5. Light a candle.
   The simple ritual of lighting a candle and taking a few minutes to become mindful and intentional is a powerful energy-shifter. Say a little prayer while lighting a candle or say three things you are thankful for. In this article I talk more about developing a candle-lighting ritual.
6. Lift yourself up with music.
   Listening (or moving to the beat) to ABBA, the Beatles, and Pink is my favorite way to uplift my spirit. It can be a fun process to create a “happy” playlist for yourself, or you can even listen to one of the pre-made playlists on Spotify.
7. Ask yourself the “fun” question.
   Feeling down at home or having a bad moment at work? Tired from juggling all the responsibilities of life? Ask yourself the “fun” question at least 8 times throughout your day: “how much fun can I have right this moment?” Just the act of asking yourself will make you invite more fun into your day, and you’ll begin to vibrate from a higher level.
8. Add visible reminders to your space.
   Make your upshifting tools visible so you remember them: weekly signs, images on the fridge, sticky notes, bathroom mirror, screen saver, a bracelet or a ring, and any other creative reminder to upshift.
9. Give Reiki to yourself for 5-10 minutes.
   I have given myself Reiki every day since 1996. I do it when I’m lying in bed in the morning, before I fall asleep at night, or when I’m sitting in a waiting room, at the movies, or on the train.

    

   Please believe me that what I’m about to say comes straight from my heart: Learning to give Reiki to yourself might be the best gift you can give yourself.

   Millions of people worldwide practice Reiki. It’s easy. It’s practical. It only takes one day to learn to give it to yourself, and then Reiki becomes a lifelong tool for shifting your own energy. You can use it alone or integrate it with other modalities, such as yoga or meditation. Reiki helps you raise your vibration, and that’s why it is beneficial in a variety of situations, including anxiety.

   You can join me from anywhere in the world. Learn more about Reiki.

Deliberately shifting to a higher level of energy is the name of the transformation game. But It is not always in your favor to shift. Sometimes you need to wait and embrace the low point for the moment.

If you had a long day at work, and people need you at home, give yourself a break. Honor the way you feel. Shift later. Or tomorrow.

Next time you’re feeling down, pause. Evaluate if it’s time to stay where you are or if it’s time to shift. If it’s time to shift, use one of the tools that I shared with you today.