Create a Long List of Ways for You to Feel Good

In Awaken the Giant Within, Anthony Robbins asks the following question: “Do you have a set of specific and empowering ways to make yourself feel good at a moment’s notice?” He suggests that everyone should sit down and create a list of things they can do to change how they feel.

He adds that to break out instantly from a limiting state and into a resourceful one, he exercises on his Stairmaster with music playing loudly, he sings along with his favorite CDs, he watches a comedy film, he reads his journal and vividly remembers a great experience he’s had recently, and he finds something instructional and informative to read that he can immediately apply to his life, among other things.

SARK advices in Succulent Wild Woman that we keep a “healing book”, filled with activities we can resort to when we need healing.  Some of the things in her healing book are the following:

• Long solitary hikes
• Burning rituals (love letters from an ended relationship, job rejection letters, and so on)
• Writing poems
• Making collages
• Meditating
• Crying
• Visiting an inspiring person
• Going to the movies in the daytime, by herself
• Prayer

In Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, Sarah Ban Breathnach shares the idea of outfitting a comfort drawer “for those nights when you feel as if you’d like to pull the covers over your head and never come out.”  Some of the things in her comfort drawer are British decorating magazines, old love letters tied with a silk ribbon, rose scented talc, and an assortment of unusual teas.  She also suggests you plan an excursion to a stationery and gift shop and stock up on “toys” you can play with when you’re feeling down.

Follow Tony’s, SARK’s, and Sarah’s advice and think of ways to switch instantly from negative, unproductive states of mind, to positive, creative states of mind. Here are twelve more ideas:

1. Watch your favorite classic films:

• Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the Moroccan City of Casa Blanca during World War II.
• Private Detective Sam Spade in “The Maltese Falcon”.
• Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind”.
• Holly (Audrey Hepburn)  gazing into Tiffany’s display window in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.
• “Singing in the Rain”, one of the best musicals ever made.

2.  Stock up on your favorite “indulgence foods” but keep them hidden for a rainy day: berry bonbons, Godiva chocolates, rich fudge, chocolate truffles . . .

3. Instead of purchasing sweet indulgences, apply cooking therapy and make Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey desserts yourself.

4. Do something that makes you feel like you’re contributing.  Sometimes the best thing you can do when you’re feeling down is to take the focus off of yourself and be of service to others.  For ideas, get the books The Difference a Day Makes: 365 Ways to Change Your World in Just 24 Hours and 1001 Ways to Save the Earth.

5. Jigsaw puzzles quiet the mind and induce the alpha level brain frequency, creating a state of wakeful meditation.

6. Laughter releases endorphins, the feel-good hormone, and is one of the best ways of elevating our mood.  Start a collection of funny YouTube videos, books, audiotapes of your favorite stand-up comedians, DVDs of movies that make you laugh, and so on.  Refer to said collection when you need a pick-me-up.

7. Create mandalas. Mandala is the ancient Sanskrit word for circle, and mandalas are used by Tibetans, native Americans, and other cultures in healing rituals and as a tool for meditation.  You can begin with The Mandala Healing Kit: Using Sacred Symbols for Spiritual And Emotional Healing.

8. Sudoku puzzles are a great way to shift your focus away from whatever is troubling you and help get you back into problem solving mode.

9.  Dance your troubles away to the rhythmic sound of drums in an African Healing Dance.

10. Try Bach Rescue Remedy. It’s a combination of five flower essences that helps balance the emotions and relieves stress.

11. Take a warm bath and add your favorite luxurious scented bubble bath.

12. Juggle; the concentration needed for juggling will divert your attention from whatever is bothering you.  Don’t know how to juggle?  Try the book Juggling for the Complete Klutz.

The idea is to come up with a long list of things you can do to get yourself quickly out of a funk and back to being your usual creative, joyous, vibrant self!

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