We all face challenges from time to time, from losing a home, a job, or a loved one, to dealing with narcissistic drama kings and queens. However, during our most challenging times, we can turn to a variety of tools and practices that give us a breathing space.
(This article originally appeared on my other Word Press blog, Locovore).
- Look for beauty
No matter our circumstances, life is still beautiful. Look around you and notice something that is beautiful in your immediate surroundings. Or go for a walk in nature and focus on the enchantment of the natural world.
2. Practice gratitude (or appreciation) for what is working.
As humans, we tend to look at the glass as half empty instead of half full. We would rather rehash a painful experience (we’re so profound), rather than find the blessings in that situation or the blessings in our current situation. Find the blessings and show appreciation for them.
3. Humor
If you can’t see any humor in your situation, then go find something funny on YouTube or watch a funny movie or read a funny book. Even in the midst of grieving over the death of a loved one, we can still find humor such as remembering a fun or funny time we had with that loved one. I’m not telling you to negate the grieving process, but to shine a light through humor upon it.
4. Follow a passion or favorite past time
Sometimes when I’m going through a stressful time, my mother will tell me to get my mind off my problems, which I find difficult to do. However, I find that when I read a favorite book, write, watch a movie, go for a walk or take photographs of the world, I am able to get my mind off my problems and this is healthier for my physical and emotional bodies.
5. Surround yourself with supportive people
Now, I’m not talking about finding someone to rehash your stories because no one, not even the kindest people appreciate that type of drama. What I mean by supportive people are those who help out in ways they are most comfortable. For instance, your best friend doesn’t want you to talk her ears off, but she shows up with a bag of groceries or a pot of soup. Let others decide how they want to help.
6. Listen to music
Scientific research has proven time and time again that music has healing power. We know that music heals emotions but it also heals us physically and opens us spiritually. However, don’t listen to jarring or loud music, find something that soothes the soul. If you require inspiration, then visit my blog Whole Music Experience where I go into detail about the healing power of music.
7. Find a coach or therapist
There is no shame in visiting a counselor who can give you new perspectives on your problems. Yet, so many people are too embarrassed to visit a therapist because they fear that people will think they’re crazy. Actually, it’s crazy not to seek professional help when you’re going through a life transition or grieving the death of a loved one. Forget that idea of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. That’s Capricorn nonsense.
8. Try animal therapy
This could even be hanging out with a friend’s cat or dog; or your own if you have a pet. Even watching fish swim in a tank or visiting the ducks at the local pond have a therapeutic effect. People also have therapy animals for extreme trauma or visit a place with therapy animals such as in horse therapy.
9. Deal with addictions
If you suspect or someone close to you suspects that you have an addiction, get professional help. Sure, the addiction offers a temporary escape, but in the end, the addiction only compounds the other problems. We are less able to help ourselves or honor ourselves when dealing with an addiction.
10. Try divination
Here I am speaking about addiction and I have to say that I rely heavily, maybe even too heavily on divination but a good Tarot or astrology reading does provide insights that we might have only experienced on a deep subconscious level. I know that card reading especially have given me hope for the future when I had none previously.
Of course, there are numerous other tools you can practice to help you through trauma. But these are the ones that have helped me through transition periods and hardships.
Visit my other Word Press blogs, Metaphysics 4 Everyday Living and Belle Author. Thank you for stopping by, following this blog, and
Metaphysics 4 Everyday Living 