What makes you feel good?

When the weather’s cold… or you feel a little less than “up to par”… or didn’t sleep well… or just feel tired…

What helps you to feel better?

When the weather’s cold; you may not want to walk, or hike, what about making a date with yourself for later in the day after it’s warmer—and making sure your shoes and everything you need is ready to go—and setting a time for you to make it happen.  If you really want to feel better, that would be a great first step.

Things are tough right now, financially for a lot of people.  Sometimes things like that make us feel “deprived”, which really isn’t a good feeling.  I know if I feel deprived even of food I want, I usually want to eat everything!

But if you feel down, or “under the weather”, there are things you can do to feel better.  We can enjoy lots of things that don’t have much to do with money.  Think about trying one or two of these:

1.     Soak your hands in a bowl of warm Epsom salt water, then rub them with some kind of good oil or lotion that you have on hand.  Clip/file your nails like you want them.  If you polish your nails, rub the oil off your nails with a soft cloth and polish them.

2.     Soak your feet in a pan of warm Epsom salt water.  Same as your hands with oil or lotion, clipping nails, then polish if you like.  Nice!

3.     Find some decorations or flowers/candles you have somewhere, and think where they could look good around your house— especially as seasons change, or with holidays coming up.  Your imagination will probably come up with something you’ve never considered before.

4.     Smile, a little…

5.     Drink a half glass of water.

6.     Change or add a tablecloth or placemats.

7.     Think of some things you’d like to add to your life, and make goals for that.

8.     If you have a fireplace, and it’s cold outside, make a fire.

9.     Fix yourself a cup of tea, maybe with some honey, and see if you can figure out some quick comfort food for you to eat, that’s not too far off-limits for what you typically eat.  Decide to eat it, and enjoy it.

10. Rest a few minutes in a comfortable spot, while you drink your tea.

11. Look in your fridge for leftovers (roast, veggies, etc.) that could make a quick soup (keep chicken broth in your pantry, always, for these times).

12. Write out 5 or 10 things you are thankful for.  (The more you think of, the better you’ll feel). Motivational speaker Bob Proctor says you can make a list of 100 things; and he says he writes 10 new things every day.

13. Make a list of 2-3 people (or more) to send thank you cards to; and write them out.

14. Turn on some music.

At this time of year, I like to just gaze out the window as the leaves fall.  Watching them go to sleep for the winter.  I love it.

I like to bake.  And I do like to walk.  I don’t like to bundle-up to walk in the cold, but I’m cultivating the habit.  It’s my goal to walk outside every day.  I don’t reach that goal, but it helps me to walk a lot.  (Our bodies were made to move, you know!)

I like to work outside too, but have to work up my courage if it’s cold out.

I also like to make puzzles. 

I actually LOVE to make puzzles!  My mom used to keep a puzzle going all the time in the winter time.  And she knew I’d stay longer if she had a puzzle up, because I couldn’t resist it.

Of course, there’s reading, also.  I actually like to listen to books too, so I can be busy folding clothes, etc., while I’m listening. 

You might also think of someone you know who might be running slow, too.  They might like to hear from you.  And making them feel better might just help you to feel better.

One thing I really like to do is write goals.  It makes me feel better.  It encourages me.  It helps me see things in my future, which lifts me up.  Sometimes I save my list.  Sometimes I put the things in my calendar with steps to get things accomplished.  Sometimes I lose them.  Regardless, they 100% help me.

The holidays are right around the corner.  Times will probably be busy, busy!  Feel good about taking a little time to “take a break” before the big rush starts.  I’m doing that myself.  But at the same time, I’m thinking… how I can organize so I can better enjoy the actual holiday.

Planning could be the #1 thing that helps you to enjoy the holidays.  The more you have organized—lists of things you want done… when do you need to “start”, etc. to get that result.

I used to be very unorganized, and was always late everywhere I went.  I blamed it on having too much to do.  My daughter is the one who taught me about making lists—I think when she was in the 5th grade!  I’ve grown a lot since then in being organized, and now I depend on it.

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If you are baking some of your gifts this year, planning the dates you want to give them, if you organize the dates you’ll need to get things baked, it will help you get it done—without the frazzle.

If gifts are a worry for you, just maybe accept the fact that some people are doing less of that (I, for one), and just decide not to “go all-in” on gifts.  Make your gift list short.  Let your people know.  Know that it’s ok.  And the younger ones are fine with inexpensive gifts.

I love this time of year; seasons changing (well, in the mid-South, anyway), thinking of the holidays.

I realize not everyone loves this time of year.  I know lots of people struggle with the holiday season that we’re getting ready to enter.  I wish for you to feel the love from others, and for you to be able to find a bit of joy during your struggles—and I know these feelings can come from many directions.

It’s easy to feel lonely during this time.  If you are lonely during the holidays, do you want to overcome those feelings? 

If you do, try to nudge your heart to open up to some of the people who care for you, and let their lives help you.  Just think… and feel… You will know who… and when… and how.  Be patient with yourself.  But please, don’t be lonely for very long.

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If you’re not feeling up-to-par, I hope there are some helps here that you can use. 

If you are feeling Great, I’m so very happy for you!  Please share your spirit.  There are people who need some of your love and your joy.

Our lives were meant for us to live to the fullest.  We were meant to enjoy our time on this earth.

My goal is that you will do that—full of health and energy, and feeling good.

If you have specific issues you’d like to have help or support with, please do let me know.  I can help you.

Do the things you can, to enjoy your life!  Your health will follow.

And Thank you for reading!

Sharon

Isaiah 40:29

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

I Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor4 is not in vain.

Romans 15:13

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.