Living Therapies
By
Cheryl Wright

Crises of one sort or another enter our lives. Some of them simply hit us, hard. Others throw us down while there are some crises that knock us down, turning our lives upside down. The secret to getting up and living again is to face our pain, grief and even burn out square in the face, allow ourselves to heal, and determine to come back shinning brighter than before. Simple living therapies can help you cope and make a strong comeback:

* Put yourself first. Allow yourself time and space to heal. Let go of commitments that bog you down and demand more time and energy than you are willing and able to give at this time.

Engage only in those projects that will eventually promote the healing process and improve your well-being. Chose to associate only with the people and participate in activities that refresh and nurture you in your time of emotional need.

If possible, get away from your regular routine. Take an early vacation or just check into a private guesthouse on the beach for a weekend.

* Start a journal. Chronicle your pain and your attempts to deal with it and recover. Write letters to a cherished friend you usually email.

Writing is therapeutic. It gives you the freedom to rid your mind of emotions. Moreover, seeing your life and feelings on paper helps you to view your life situations from a new perspective.

* Get creative. Psychologists say that a life crisis can sometimes actually heighten your creativity - not diminish it.

Pull out your crochet needle and thread, gardening tools, notebook or paint and easel. Reawaken your creative side. You could also sign up for a class in a subject you're interested in or go for broke in an effort to combat the blues and enroll for a subject you would never think of pursuing under normal circumstances. Throwing yourself into your hobbies will jolt your brain to focus away from your pain and on something interesting.

* Cut yourself a little slack. The last thing you need during a crisis is more pressure. Instead of forcing yourself to keep up appearances or trying to convince others that you can still function at the same level, acknowledge your need for time off from work, or help on large and multiple projects.

Explain to co-workers and business associates that fewer business and social obligations are helping you to overcome your pain.

* Work it out. If you continue on your regular schedule with your usual commitments, you could grow more depressed and your body could slowly decline. Any doctor would tell you that moderate physical exercise could help alleviate emotional and mental stress.

If exercise is not part of your usual routine, start with a simple schedule of morning walks. Swimming or riding a bike are two other activities that take you away from the four walls of your home or office. It may be the fresh air, warm sunshine and water involved that guarantee an improvement in your health and mental outlook.

While these exercises are superb, solitary activities don't discard the benefit of including someone. If you feel the need for company, choose someone with whom you feel comfortable enough to talk about anything, including your crisis.

* Put your crisis on hold. Sometimes your pain may have to play second fiddle to bigger and more urgent issues.

Let's say you're grieving the loss of a loved one and you child has a concert in two weeks. She may need you to drive her to and from rehearsal every day for the next ten days. Don't foist that responsibility on someone else. You need to put your feelings on hold for the couple of hours it will take to share the time with your child. Sitting through and concentrating on the practice session can be another form of living therapy for you.

The important thing to recognize is that a crisis won't last forever. In the meantime, caring for yourself, physically and emotionally will help you cope and come through it a stronger person.

BIO: Cheryl Wright is a fulltime freelance writer. She manages two columns a monthly decorating column and a weekly motivational column. Her work has appeared both in print and online since 1998.