Posted on Monday, 15th February 2010 by Catherine
One of the things I have come to realize is that if we embrace the newness of each day that does not mean that each new day won’t have its own struggle or that the struggles from yesterday will be gone.
We wake up around here and Mason still has treatment for cancer, we still have astronomical medical bills and insurance challenges. My mom is still gone; I won’t get to talk to her. Our struggles are still there day after day.
Let’s be honest, many times days are hard and they come one after another. It may seem like these hard days are never ending. That is when we have to dig deep and find inner strength.
May times we have to make it through lots of hard days in order to get to the easier days. How? How do we not get sucked into negativity? Is there a way to be happy even during adversity? What if it is not just one struggle but multiple hardships that are plaguing us?
I have a few suggestions (shocking I know) that I have practiced for occasions such as this. I recently had to revisit these ideas in order to reach my “easier” days and in to manage multiple stresses at the same time.
- Focus on what you can control. For many of us the lack of control we have over our stressful situations makes it very hard to deal with. Instead of worrying about the things that can’t be controlled pick something (even if it is what is for dinner) and do something about it. Take on one thing that you CAN control and do it. It will make you feel better
- Change your scenery. Get outside and take a walk or a run. Even in the winter a change of scenery is essential for stress management. Take a nature walk with your kids. Be outside enjoying God’s gift of nature. It slows your mind; turns your focus to simpler things and will help in the trenches of hard days.
- Document your blessings. Write a list of all the things you are thankful for. All the things that make you smile. Sounds corny I know but when was the last time you made a big giant listing of things you are happy about? Things you are looking forward to? Include your kids in this exercise. Nothing turns our outlook like the excitement of a child.
- Get lost in the music. I know I have said it a million times but music is such great therapy. Make a play-list on your ipod that are your all time favorite “crank it up” songs. The ones that no matter what make you think of happier times. The songs that you just can’t help but want to get up and dance to. The songs that only sound good played REALLY loud. You know the ones – use them when you need a mental break from your hard days.
For today’s Mental Music Monday Tuesday I choose one of my favorite songs for perking me up!
I hope you enjoy it and I want to know, what is one of your all time favorite mood buster songs?
