When life feels heavy, try these…

When I wrote my book, Feeling Good, I intentionally kept the methods easy to do. They’re methods that are effective when you’re feeling down and lacking in energy, time, and/or money. That’s when we need these methods for feeling good the most.

Easy, so that when you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can still do them.

Easy, so that when the world feels out of control, you can still do them.

Easy, so that when you’re pressed for time, you can still do them.

Easy, so that when you can’t think straight, you can still do them.

As a motivational speaker connecting with thousands of people on the topic of mental health, I have the privilege of strangers sharing with me how they need hope right now. Maybe you do too.

As a therapist working closely with people through grief, loss, difficult life transitions, and emotional struggles, I have the privilege of supporting people through emotional pain, and knowing what works.

Life is beautiful, and life is painful. When we’re feeling fully, we’re living fully.

But sometimes life is so painful that it can feel like there’s no way to feel better. These methods won’t make your problems go away, but they will help you to feel better, after you have allowed yourself to feel emotional pain.

Feeling fully, including feeling emotional pain, is living fully. We just don’t want to get “stuck” in that emotional pain.

I combed through my book, and I picked out a few methods that elevate mood and lift your spirits that you can do on your most difficult days. Many people right now are feeling overwhelmed, like the world is out of control, pressed for time, and can’t think straight.

You are not alone if you’re struggling too. Here are some methods that consistently help me. They helped me when I was little, they helped me after my fiancé died and father died, and they continue to help me on difficult days.

1. Get outside in nature. (Ch 2)
2. Move your body (Ch. 3)
3. Compliment others, including strangers (Ch. 9)
4. Reach out to someone you love (Ch. 52)
5. Listen to music (Ch. 6)
6. Engage in an act of kindness (Ch. 12)

You may refer to the explanation of each method’s power, real life examples, research, and suggestions for putting the idea into action in the book, Feeling Good, or click HERE for your complimentary copy of each chapter.

If you’d like additional support for Feeling Good, including videos, downloadable handouts, and resources, you’ll find that in the online companion to the book, Feeling Good with Dr. Peggy.

I’m delighted that a local book club chose to read Feeling Good, and that I’ll be joining them as a guest this week! And a middle school has chosen Feeling Good for their parent book club. If you’re interested in choosing either of my books for your book club, and would like to have me as a facilitator with discussion questions, both in person and online, click HERE for more! I love supporting people with mental health and feeling good.

Here’s to feeling good, even through difficult times. It is possible to experience joy and feel better, even on your worst of days.