Therapy Bits

1. Learn to air your feelings.

Don’t keep them bottled up inside you. Share your
sorrows and disappointments with someone you
trust. Remember, expressed feelings are changed
feelings.

2. Avoid comparing yourself with others by admiring
their gifts and ignoring your gifts.

This kind of envy causes self-disgust. Put no one’s
head higher than your own.

3. Form a small group of people you can call on
for emotional support.

Agree to ‘be there’ for each other. Offer advice
only when it is asked for. Listen without interrupting.
Take turns talking and listening.

4. Take time to play.

Remember that play is any activity that you do just
because it feels good. Remind yourself that you
deserve to take time to play.

5. Don’t forget to laugh, especially at yourself.

Look for the humor in things around you. Let
your hair down more often. Do something silly
and totally unexpected from time to time.

6. Learn to relax.

You can find books, tapes, programs, classes,
instructors and other materials to teach you
how to relax. Relaxation improves the mind,
helps the body heal, and feels so much better
than stress and tension.

7. Protect your right to be human.

Don’t let others put you on a pedestal. When
people put you on a pedestal, they expect you
to be perfect and feel angry when you let them down.

8. Learn to say no.

As you become comfortable saying no to the
unreasonable expectations, requests or demands
of others you will discover that you have more
compassion. When you do say yes to others, you
will feel better about yourself and the people
you’re responding to.

9. Change jobs if you are miserable at work.

First, try to figure out if the job is wrong for you
or if certain people are causing you to feel
miserable at work. Try paying more attention
to the things you enjoy about your job and less
attention to the things that annoy you.
Remember that all jobs have some unpleasant
aspects.

10. Stretch your muscles.

Break a sweat. Go for a walk. Ride a bike. Park
farther from the door. Take the stairs. You don’t
need fancy clothes, club memberships or
expensive equipment to add exercise to your
daily life.

11. Practice being a positive, encouraging person.

Each time you give others a word of encouragement
you not only feel better, but you build up your best self.

12. Pay attention to your spiritual life.

Slow down. Practice sitting quietly. Listen to your
inner voice. Spend time thinking about the things
which bring peace, beauty and serenity to your life.

~Thomas Wright, LMFT