12 Suggestions for taking care of yourself

1. Learn to air your feelings.
Don't keep them bottled up inside you. Share yoursorrows and disappointments with someone youtrust. Remember, expressed feelings are changedfeelings.

2. Avoid comparing yourself with others by admiringtheir gifts and ignoring your gifts.
This kind of envy causes self-disgust. Put no one'shead higher than your own.

3. Form a small group of people you can call onfor emotional support.
Agree to 'be there' for each other. Offer adviceonly 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 justbecause it feels good. Remind yourself that youdeserve to take time to play.

5. Don't forget to laugh, especially at yourself.
Look for the humor in things around you. Letyour hair down more often. Do something sillyand totally unexpected from time to time.

6. Learn to relax.
You can find books, tapes, programs, classes,instructors and other materials to teach youhow to relax. Relaxation improves the mind,helps the body heal, and feels so much betterthan stress and tension.

7. Protect your right to be human.
Don't let others put you on a pedestal. Whenpeople put you on a pedestal, they expect youto be perfect and feel angry when you let them down.

8. Learn to say no.
As you become comfortable saying no to theunreasonable expectations, requests or demandsof others you will discover that you have morecompassion. When you do say yes to others, youwill feel better about yourself and the peopleyou're responding to.

9. Change jobs if you are miserable at work.
First, try to figure out if the job is wrong for youor if certain people are causing you to feelmiserable at work. Try paying more attentionto the things you enjoy about your job and lessattention to the things that annoy you.Remember that all jobs have some unpleasantaspects.

10. Stretch your muscles.
Break a sweat. Go for a walk. Ride a bike. Parkfarther from the door. Take the stairs. You don'tneed fancy clothes, club memberships orexpensive equipment to add exercise to yourdaily life.

11. Practice being a positive, encouraging person.
Each time you give others a word of encouragementyou 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 yourinner voice. Spend time thinking about the thingswhich bring peace, beauty and serenity to your life.Find the courage to follow your own spiritual path ifa traditional religion has not been helpful for you.