1. Before you go to bed, think of five things you are grateful for. It is so easy to focus on the negative, but reflecting on the good cancels out the bad in a matter of minutes.
2. Free yourself from negative people. I am not saying cut them out of your life, but don’t go out of your way to spend time with people who merely complain or remind you of your misdeeds. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Not only that, but surround yourself with people who remind you why you are special.
3. Show compassion. Work in a soup kitchen, or do something with Habitat for Humanity. Even better, actually talk to a homeless person. Don’t just look at them with a mixture of pity and disgust. It is so easy to look at the poor and feel nothing. It is so easy to tell yourself that he or she is a drug addict who lacks ambition. It is easy, but it’s not right. It hurts more to think about the fact that perhaps this person did not grow up with opportunity. Perhaps this person was set up for failure. Show him or her compassion. Kneel down, look him or her in the eyes and have a conversation. If they are hungry, bring them a meal.
4. If you are feeling pain, don’t push it away. Eventually, it will come right back to you. Instead, feel sad, and don’t let others diminish what you are going through. Suffering is universal, yes, but it is also a personal act, and no pain should be seen as greater than another.
5. Eat food that you are not supposed to -- in moderation. I am sick and tired of hearing about diets. Even if you’re on an organic-only diet, eat that cookie! It will taste good, and for a period of time, it will make you feel happy! Cookies will never let you down.
6. Listen to music. Studies have shown that even listening to sad music plays a role in well-being, as it provides consolation and regulates negative moods and emotions.
7. Depending on your preferences, find an outlet for any stress or anger you may be holding. While in school or at work, it’s often difficult to rationalize making time for mundane activities, but sometimes just going for a run or drawing a picture and letting your mind wander while doing so can be extremely therapeutic.
8. Laugh until you cry. I don’t care if you are watching a Will Ferrell movie or getting tickled to death, please laugh. Life is too short. More importantly, laughter is good for your health. It relaxes the whole body by releasing physical tension and stress, relaxing your muscles for 45 minutes post-laugh. It also boosts the immune system by decreasing stress hormones and increasing immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, overall improving your resistance to disease. Most importantly, it triggers the release of endorphins, creating an overall sense of well-being and temporarily relieving pain, and it protects the heart by improving the function of blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
