It’s hard to feel better when you've been feeling stuck for so long. If you could use some inspiration today, read this. There are so many ways to feel better, and you don't have to deny how you feel to get there. All of your feelings are guides.

“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” – Christine Caine

3 Ways to Feel Better Without Denying How You Feel

1. Pay attention to someone’s story.

Whether it’s reading a book, listening to an audio book, playing a video game, talking to someone else about their day or struggles, listening to a podcast, or reading a heartfelt message online, get involved with someone else other than yourself.

This isn't about ignoring how you feel.

Sometimes it's too hard to dwell in your own feelings right now, when you don’t feel strong enough to endure them.

If you feel so low that you can’t even force a smile, try to get involved in another story, real or fictional. It can get you out of your own head and remember that there’s always another way to look at things.

When you're not sure how you'll make it through, reach out and touch the story of another.

2. Reach for the closest better-feeling thought that’s available to you.

Focusing on a thought that feels just a TINY bit better than the last one helps. Not every “high-vibe” thought is available to us, but there’s a higher thought we can reach for — it’s the one that feels just a tiny bit better.

If you’re feeling depressed or powerless, or you’re grieving, reach for jealousy, rage, or worry. They're all, believe it or not, better-feeling thoughts. Don’t force yourself to feel grateful or passionate; you don’t need to.

Do what you can from this place.

The “Emotional Guidance Scale” is from Ask and It Is Given, an Abraham-Hicks book.

According to the book, a scale of our emotions might look something like this:

1. Joy/Knowledge/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation
2. Passion
3. Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness
4. Positive Expectation/Belief
5. Optimism
6. Hopefulness
7. Contentment
8. Boredom
9. Pessimism
10. Frustration/Irritation/Impatience
11. “Overwhelment”
12. Disappointment
13. Doubt
14. Worry
15. Blame
16. Discouragement
17. Anger
18. Revenge
19. Hatred/Rage
20. Jealousy
21. Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness
22. Fear/Grief/Depression/Despair/Powerlessness

You can’t leapfrog from depression to joy, but you can move your way up the scale, one at a time.

3. Pet a pet.

There’s plenty of research to show that dogs (and other pets) offer humans a gateway to healing.

Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and improve psychological well-being and self-esteem. Your furry friend could be considered an anti-depressive and anti-anxiety agent, and pure therapy.

“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” - Anthony Douglas Williams

. . .

Tell me:

Which of these thoughts did you need to read today?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I'd love to know.

With love,

Jen

P.S. Need a little more help at night? Get my book Sleep Rituals for 100 at-home practices that help you not just sleep better, but heal better. You might even fall in love with being alive again.