Healing Journey Tips

1) Laugh More Often

There is a reason why they say laughter is the best medicine. A good deep belly laugh also gives you a little exercise, puts fresh air into your lungs and a smile on your face.

2) Take A Deep Breath

It takes less than 30 seconds. Take a long inhale through your nose, hold it for two counts and exhale through your mouth. You should feel more relaxed. If it doesn’t work, repeat as many times as you need.

3) Listen More, Talk Less

So often listening becomes waiting for our turn to talk rather than really listening to what the other person is saying. Try listening without thinking about what you’re going to say next. Listening can help bring perspective to your life and improve the quality of your relationships.

4) Be Your Own Best Salesperson

Believe in yourself as much as you wish other people would believe in you. If you project confidence, then everyone will believe that you are confident. Start by building a “little engine that could” mentality; “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!” You might also fulfill Healing Journey Tip 1 of laughing more while you’re at it!

5) Accept That You Will Make Mistakes

We don’t do things perfectly the first time. Forgive yourself if you make a mistake, it’s okay to start over or change your course. Don’t give up just because you make a mistake, mistakes can be our best learning opportunities.

6) Start Where You Are, Set Achievable Goals

Would you decide to climb Mount Everest if you had never gone mountain climbing? Maybe, but I hope not! Take the same approach to personal change and growth. Setting really high expectations only sets you up for failure. Start with something that is realistic for you. If you have a big goal, try to split it up into smaller steps and each small step becomes its own goal to achieve.

7) Celebrate Your Success

Einstein had it right, it is much easier to stay as we are than to change and grow. Celebrate all your successes whether they are small or large. A reward can be anything from a nap to a walk in the park to a massage. You did it! Be proud of yourself.

8) Don’t Be Ashamed to Cry

Just like the earth needs rain, sometimes we need to cry. That release of emotion is so healthy; holding it inside creates stress and health problems. Crying is not weak or something to be ashamed about. Just like the rainstorm that turns the earth green, crying allows us to grow and move through emotions.

9) Let Go of What You Can’t Control

There are lots of things in our lives that we can control and change but there are things that are beyond our control. Trying to change something that is outside of your control will only build frustration. Practice letting go of what is outside of your control and focus on what you can change.

10) Ask for Help

Our society focuses so much on the goal of being independent. This is a great goal to work towards, yet, no man is an island, and we all are dependent on others. It is okay to ask for help. It takes courage to ask for help. Think of yourself as being strong when you ask for help. It is not an act of weakness but an act of courage!