When life feels challenging cleaning and decluttering can be incredibly cathartic.

The simple act works on two levels: first, we consciously take control of our lives when we set things back in order.

We immediately see the direct results of our actions, which feels satisfying. Second, a clean, uncluttered environment is a more pleasing place to spend time.

I may be biased, but dance is one of the most therapeutic ways we can care for ourselves. We are born with the innate desire and ability to move to music. As adults, we sometimes forget this or find reasons to talk ourselves out of doing so.

Did you know that dancing makes us smarter? Studies have shown that students who danced regularly had higher test scores than those who didn’t.

Helping others helps us think about something besides ourselves and our problems.

Sometimes we get stuck in the habit of focusing on our problems, and the ways we feel our lives are lacking. The longer we do this, the worse we feel.

Helping someone else feels good, and helps us snap out of patterns of thought that are not serving us.

Happy distractions are another easy way to shift our mood and energy. Doing something we enjoy provides relief by shifting our focus away from negative thoughts.

Jot down a quick list of some of your favorite happy distractions so you can refer to it anytime.

Making art, going for a walk or calling a friend are a few examples. One of my current favorites is listening to music and coloring a mandala in my Zen coloring book.

Many years ago a friend said that no matter how old we are, there’s a part of us that is still six years old.

When we’re feeling tender or fragile, these are the times to treat ourselves gently and lovingly.

Imagine how you would care for a six year old if they were going through what you are going through now. What would you say to them? What would you do for them?

Ask yourself what is the most loving thing I can do for myself right now? Then do it.