When You Just Want to Cry
July 31, 2009 1 CommentYou know the feeling. When everything that can go wrong does, and it all seems to happen at once. You feel like going back to bed and either starting your day over or just sleeping until tomorrow because tomorrow is bound to be a better day than this. You have an overwhelming urge to just bawl your eyes out.
That’s not a fun feeling, so let’s talk about some ways to get around it.
1. Write down 10 things you are truly thankful for, or that you love about your life. When we focus on what’s going right and the good things we have, it can help the things we were so worked up about seem trivial.
2. Spend some time in the sun. Ten or fifteen minutes spent outside in the sun can work wonders for improving one’s mood. Sit, relax, and soak it in. Meditate on the 10 things you wrote on your Thankful list.
3. Call a good friend. A few minutes spent talking to a good friend can be extremely healing to one’s psyche. They can help you see the sun through the clouds. Even if you don’t feel like talking about what’s bugging you, hearing that familiar friendly voice can somehow make your day a little brighter.
4. Listen to some “happy” music. I guess everyone’s definition of happy music is different. Usually, something light and upbeat does the trick. Listen to something that is uplifting, that makes you tap your toes or dance a little jig.
5. Go for a brisk walk. It doesn’t have to be a long one. Even ten to fifteen minutes should get the blood flowing and those endorphins pumping!
6. Take a nap or go to bed early tonight. Sometimes all we need are a few extra “zzz’s”. We work ourselves into the ground and don’t give ourselves the proper amount of rest. We underestimate the power of quality sleep. Make it a priority to get good rest tonight and see how you feel tomorrow.
7. Do something nice for someone else. Whether it’s sending an “I’m thinking about you” card to a friend or telling a coworker they’re doing a good job, it’s amazing how good it feels to shift your focus onto someone else. When we make someone smile, it’s contagious. It’s bound to put one on your face too.
8. Write about it. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of journaling. Even if you don’t keep a consistent journal, write down everything about how you’re feeling. Somehow it helps, and you can even gain further insights into issues you were stumped about before. If you feel like tearing it up and throwing it away when you’re done, that’s ok. Just try it and see how you feel afterwards.
9. Let it all out! Hey – it’s ok to cry. Even if you’re a macho body-builder or a British guard. Allowing yourself to experience emotion is healthy and does a body good. Literally! There are actual health benefits from crying that include releasing stress hormones, so here’s a virtual Kleenex! Knock yourself out!
Hey, I’d like to hear from you. What have you found to be most helpful when you’re having a day like this? Please write your comments below.
Until next time, I leave you this quote: “When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this: When you die, will YOU be happy when everybody else is crying?” - Tony Campolo
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Attitude, Personal Development
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