10 Ways To Avoid The Psychiatrist Couch

I have noticed lately that many people, despite anticipation of a new presidential administration and the promise of an economic buoyancy, still seem to be laden with a serious case of the doldrums.

When the pressure gets to be too much for you, what do you do? Do you turn to addictions? Destructive behavior? Do you turn the behavior on yourself or someone else?

We all can feel like we are behind the eight ball from time to time but it doesn’t mean that we can’t get out of the way.

Following are ten ways that you can maintain sanity and avoid the psychiatrist couch.

1. Acknowledge what you are feeling and what has happened to make you feel that way. If you have been through emotional upheaval, go with it. Let all the feelings associated with it pass through you.

2. Take time to focus on your next step. Write down what you want to do and how you want to do it. Writing will help clarify your plans. Don’t keep rehashing what has happened. Let it go.

3. Take action. Move your body, mind and spirit. Refer to your list or be spontaneous. Just do something. The more good experiences you pile up, the more the unpleasant ones disappear.

4. Exercise good will, not just with strangers but with people you love. Random acts of kindness equals random acts of love. Not only are you touching others, but you are creating good karma that will be returned to you tenfold.

5. Take a walk in nature. Even big cities have parks where you can commune with nature. Listen to the sounds around you and observe how they make you feel.

6. Allow time for play. There is a reason that it is called recreation because you are recreating a time when you are not worried. Jump into a swimming pool, hit a tennis ball, catch a baseball, kick a football or play with a beach ball.

7. Spend time with friends doing fun activities. Go to a movie, concert, shopping, cook a meal together, attend the zoo, or an amusement park. Create good memories and they will never let you down.

8. Laugh and laugh some more. Laughter frees you from world matter. The longer you laugh, the more you are free. It is also a great way to exercise your heart.

9. Introspection is fuel to the Soul. Read a good book, listen to a good piece of music; both will capture and hold your senses. Then after you have rewarded yourself, be silent. Let the words fall out of your head. Rinse and repeat.

10. Love is all we are here for. Open your heart and love will flood it a thousand times. Keep giving it away and you will never be without it. It is here to stay. It is the answer to all of life’s questions. If you feel that you don’t have it, reach out. I am sending it to you now. Keep it flowing.