Healthy Chicks

I have a confession: As happy-g0-lucky-kinda-girl that I am, I sometimes feel a little “off” inside, as I know many who can relate. That “Off”-ness can mean many things to many different people, whether it’s feeling torn, confused, scared, or even having a little less confidence in yourself than usual.

It’s a difficult thing to put a finger on because the feeling comes from within, and you are the owner of it. It’s not something a mani-pedi, glass of red wine, or five hour conversation with your best friend can fix. I’ve come to realize that when you are not feeling your best, 100% self, only you can give yourself the strength and courage to bounce back.

So how do you bounce back? How do you bring yourself to the mental state of assurance, happiness, and “OK”? That’s something we all struggle with from time to time, but here’s a few ways to start:

• Play your favorite, inspirational song over and over and over again. Currently I like anything by Adele or Ingrid Michaelson.
• Make a happy list. Yes, composed of everything in your life right now that fills your little soul with happiness.
• Live in the present, and take every day as a new day. When you wake up, you should start fresh, so let go of those grudges and mishaps from yesterday. Today is new.
• Practice yoga, and setting purposes for each and every class such as love, compassion and faith. (I learned this one from my friend Jen)
• Eat healthful food that fuels your body with energy and strength. Whole grains, fresh watermelon, homemade baked salmon with a lemon-dill yogurt sauce, to name a few.
• Focus on you, and don’t lose sight of that focus.
• Love yourself, and treat yourself with unconditional, 100% love.
• Take a long walk for clarity (not to burn calories). Seriously, walks can work wonders for your mind.
• RELAX. Realize nothing is really as bad as it seems and many things are not worth getting worked up over. (I learned this one from my boy…)
• Do something for yourself that makes you feel absolutely fabulous, whether  it’s buying some new sexy lingerie or cooking a three-course meal for you and your girls and throwing in some Sex and the City ‘sodes.
• Know that you are beautiful, amazing, and enough just the way you are, and if you want to improve only you can do so. Always tell yourself that.

Do you ever find yourself feeling “off?” Where do these feelings come from? What do you do to bounce back?