Good Things To Do When You Need An Emotional Lift
When you are feeling too close to the edge or put through the ringer your emotional fortitude can dissolve. Pulling yourself up and out of the duldrums can seem like an impossible task, but it can be done. I put together a list of ten good things you can do to boost your spirits before you need a full on intervention by friends, family or your boss. They are practicle and inexpensive, but the rewards are elevating. Take ten minutes and peruse this article and try the steps at your leisure. With practice I promise you, even if the good times don't begin to roll again for a while, you will be able to handle things with the spirit of a Lion and the grace of a Gazelle.
#1. Put On A Happy Face: Smile. The very act of smiling helps the brain to react in positive ways. It reduces wrinkles and releases endorphines, Better yet it is contagious. If you want to feel better without much effort, watch a funny movie. Laugh despite it all!
#2. Give Thanks: Sometimes we wallow in self-pity, but remembering all that's right in your world can help to alleviate all that is wrong. Write a thank you letter to someone for an act of kindness in your favor. Write a list of things you are grateful for. Remember to SAY "thank you". Speaking aloud feelings of grattitude at times quickens us to be aware of our good fortunes.
#3. A Change Will Do you Good: Change your environment. Rearrange the furniture. Clear clutter or hang that picture you've been meaning to get to. Take a short trip to the country or chang the lighting in your house. Lighting affects our moods especially in Winter months.
#4. Phone A Friend: I love the fact that some game shows allows one to phone a friend when caught in a bind. Sometimes they have an answer and sometimes they don't, but the comfort comes in knowing they are willing to be there for you in a time of need. Use The Buddy System. Reconnect with a long lost pal or make new friends. Aks someone out for a romantic or platonic date. Write a love letter to your spouse. Stay connected to positive, happy people in your life you love.
#5. Activate Your Faith: Pray and Meditate. Think on the things that are good, honest, just, peaceful and calming. You body will follow your minds leading and so too will your emotiions. Believe in the power of goodness; have faith. This may surprise you, but I am also going to suggest you cry if you need to. Crying is cathartic when it allows us to release pent-up emotions. Hey, Jesus wept; it is a spriritual release, so go ahead and cry it out and move on.
#6 Give Back: Volunteer, mentor or just put in a good word for someone if it's within your power without them knowing. Goodwill towards others generates goodwill towards you.
#7. Let's Get Physical: The values of exercise are wonderous. Walk, run, climb, jump and play. You'll get a rush of adreneline. Let it whip; dance. Get up and move! Stretch out the tensions in your body and your soul. Rediscover the exuberance of youth by putting your body in motion.
#8. Pssst; It's Ok To Inhale: Aroma therapy can lift your spirits high. Some aromas can trigger good feelings like the scent of cinnamon, apples lemons and oranges. Bake cookies with someone or for someone you love. Many of the joyous occassions in life are filled with the aromatic spices of food. Your favorite scents can bring to mind loveable childhood memories or other special moments. I love to spritz on my favorite parfume or the scent of pine cones or log fires. It takes me away to far away places. Spice up your day with some aroma therapy.
#9. Make A Memory: Learn something new. Take up a hobby or reacquaint yourself with an old one. Read a book, visit a museum or learn a language. Stimulating the learning centers of the brain awakens the fires of your creativity especially working with the hands. Start tinkering, writing, drawing or whatever good things your hands find to do do it heartily. When you learn new things the synapses in the brain start firing warding off old age and depression.
#10. Let The Music Play: Music can be soothing and uplifting especially classical and inspirational songs. Indulge yourself in music at whatever level of musicality you possess. Remember the lesson we learned from Snow White's Dwarfs: whistle while you work. It makes the day go faster and a great deal more cheerier.
So there you have it, my list of ten easy, inexpensive good things you can do when you need an emotional lift. I wish for you joy and happiness.