Positivity and Health, Together like PBJ!

….or like Ashley and  Torment.

Have you ever experienced a day filled with mishaps, bad news, accidents, awkwardness, and  was just plain   "blach!"   ?

You look up, because you are sure there is a dark cloud over your head.  Nope.  No  Cloud above you, but there is something going on.

When we have negative experiences, one after another, we tend to expect more...….  right?   Think about it.  Are you surprised that there were more mishaps, bad news and ...and ...and...?   We are actually Welcoming them in.  

We pull up the dark shades, and stop looking for the sunshine.  "What's the use, it's not shining for me anyway". Our mood drops, and it affects EVERYTHING.  - The way we look, the way we stand, walk, talk, right down to the sparkle in our eyes.   It disappears along with our feelings of hope.  We replace it with despair.  All of a sudden, we are connecting  that flat tire and  broken refrigerator to our self-worth.  

Right here.  Right now, is when we need to tough it up.  It's much easier to slouch than to stand straight if we slouch all the time.  It's harder to get out of bed and get in the shower than to pull the covers up and stay where it's warm and predictable.   It's harder to pull yourself up on that horse that just threw you off.  

In this great article, "YOUR BODY ON SADNESS"  you'll find how your sadness jumps from your brain into your body, and can cause some real health issues.   

Consider giving yourself the gift of mindful breathing and thinking every single day.     It might look like this:

Wake up:
Stretch,  inhale slowly and deeply.  Notice  your rib cage  expanding and your chest rising.  Think of one thing or person in your life that you are grateful for and bring your focus on that.   SMILE.    

Mid morning:  
Take a step out of whatever room you are in.  Or if that isn't possible, take a walk up or down stairs.  FOCUS on your walk, and put a tiny spring in your step!

Lunch:
Turn off the  devices.  This is a time to nourish yourself.  Lavish in the experience.  Savor each smell and texture and taste.  That happens when you focus on what you are doing, and not eating in a way that is automatic and without much thought. 

Intermittently:  
Stop to stretch and breath, and do this mindfully, with focus.   Each time you do, chose a part of your body to  quietly express gratitude for. 
"Hi feet!  Thank you for being here for me, every single day, 24/7. I am grateful for you."

For more ideas on helping yourself deal with  self-worth and sadness, connect with your local community resources such as Human Resource Centers, local churches, Senior Centers and Info Line, 211.

If you struggle with sadness every single day and  its affecting your  sleep,  your job, or your self-worth, its time to reach out to your doctor, to a friend or family member, or call a hotline for help.    They are there for you. 
You don't have to be jumping off of a bridge to ask for help.    
Here is a link if you live in Connecticut and also US and National Hotlines  -  http://www.suicidehotlines.com/connecticut.html

Ready to Exhale offers creative workshops that help to improve your mood and elevate your self-esteem.
Visit the website or search Ready To Exhale on  your social media.