Guest Author - Paula Petrie

When your neat and orderly system of living meets with the unexpected, you may be left feeling smothered in stress or jammed up by confusion. You need a game plan to keep connected and doing your thing. Advice for keeping it right.

1. Eat well! A flower will not thrive without proper nourishment. If you put some care into your diet, your skin will take on a radiant glow and your eyes will sparkle with the gratitude of your strengthened soul.

2. Do something physical to strengthen your whole mind/body self. All exercise, from stretching to a 5K run will improve the overall health of your body including your brain. Exercise is proven to help ward off the “baby blues” and is necessary to effectively treat depression. Doing something active that you enjoy is a self-kindness.

3. Challenge yourself, learn new things, and develop new skills or hobbies. The possibilities are huge. Striving helps to keep your mind and spirit healthy. In fact you “grow a brain.”

4. Put yourself out there. Develop strong relationships. Love fortifies the mind, body and soul.

5. Participate or volunteer in school and community activities. A great way to gain a good perspective is to spend less time worrying about you and contribute to something worthwhile.

6. Take a time out, to think or drift to get a clearer perspective. Sometimes giving yourself a peaceful moment is exactly what you need to find the puzzle pieces you are looking for.

7. Let it out; tell the sky or a breeze what’s bothering you. Once you’ve set your emotions free, it is easier to bring your true feelings and a resolution into focus.

8. Talk about your feelings, frustrations, and upsets to a good listener. Find friends who share your frustrations; possibly within a local play group. A friend just may have the experience to offer an insight or perspective you need.

9. Listen to music. Dance, or stretch and strengthen your body (yoga). Things often feel more manageable after a favorite song or two getting you back in the drivers seat.

10. Draw; paint (than crumble it up and toss it away, if you have to). The concentration and precision needed will absolutely sooth a troubled mind. Working on a hobby can also help you de-stress and reconnect with peace and perspective.

11. Write in a journal. Writing is one of the best ways to track your inner feelings. Don’t be critical of what comes out on paper; just let thoughts and emotions flow. Sometimes it’s good just to get things out, leaving the pages unread for a week, a month, or always. Writing helps you uncover buried feelings and desires if you find you‘re repeatedly mentioning them over time.

12. Life is a team sport. We all have our part to play; and we are playing together. Try for strong connections and a healthy team spirit. To soar is to believe that you have wings; to fall flat is to require a little more practice that’s all.