Physical and Lifestyle Strategies

1. Find some good breathing and abdominal relaxation techniques, and practice them daily
2. Keep to a Low-stress diet
3. Regular exercise
4. Schedule downtime – have your own mental health days (put them in your calendar-every month)
5. Take mini-breaks during the day.Deliberate 5 to 10 minutes breaks where you consciously relax
6. 8 hours of sleep a night (see next post for stress free nights sleep)
7. Consider the B vitamins, (especially B12), and also Calcium and Magnesium supplement, last thing before sleep

Emotional Strategies

1. Build a support ‘team’ . Make friends, stay social. Do not shut yourself away.
2. When you feel you need help – have someone you can ask. Create a circle of confidants you trust.
3. Make sure you plan recreational activities for yourself on a regular basis (write them into your calendar)
4. Practice laughter. Seriously!

Cognitive Strategies

1. Practice positive thinking. Make it a concious habit. Depressing words produce depressing thoughts.
2. Read an uplifting book ten minutes before you sleep, every night. Don’t let stressful or negative thoughts take you to sleep.
3. Set a goal for yourself. Work or recreational. Create the goal, write it down, and place it where you can read it every day
4. Prayer or personal affirmations are tremendous tools to protect your emotions.
5. Practice acceptance and forgiveness, especially for you own actions.

Medical

1. If you have persistent stress or depression – check with a doctor. Chemical imbalances and other factors could be affecting you.

They say to have a satisfying life all you really need is : – something to do, something to hope for and someone to love.

It is hard to give love if you have no love of yourself.

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