remedies for rotten days--part 1

having a not-so-great day? how about trying some of these. more to come...on another day...
(Good Housekeeping July 2005)

1. do a love inventory
take a few moments right now to think about all the times you have been loved in your life. the affection may not have come in the way you expected or imagined; it may not have lasted as ong as you wished. but you have been loved!

2. overtip
a small act of generosity not only brings a spot of pleasure into a hard-working person's life, it also floods your body with feel-good hormones. no matter what amount you choose, overtipping is a wonderful way to lift your spirits and assure continued good service.

3. haul out the photo albums
the older the better. look at yourself and your friends and family with those funny clothes and haircuts. remember that shack you used to live in? that old VW Beetle you used to drive? how incredibly cute your 3-year-old daughter was in her first tutu? you'll soon be smiling. ***ETA just for Chele: these would be EXAMPLES of POSSIBLE memories...not actual ones i was suggesting you remember. =P LOL!!***

4. trash it
write down each problem on a separate piece of paper. make a stack. read the sheet on top of the stack. spend a few minutes thinking about how to solve the problem and then throw the paper in the trash can. repeat until the whole pile is gone. now focus on something else.

5. belt it out
so many of us have cut ourselves off from this natural joy maker--mostly out of embarrassment out of our voices or lack of vocal talent. it's too bad , because singing lifts our spirits and opens our hearts. and making music has been shown to lower blood pressure and alleviate depression and sleep disorders. so sing today, even one short silly song. if you find singing in public too intimidating, wait until you are your only audience and sing in the shower or the car.