How to Release Distress, Become Calm and Be at One with Yourself - Abecedarian-style

Accept and allow first, before moving forwards (read that again, as it’s the most important) -

Brush your arms and legs down gently, removing somatic, toxic debris,

Chant, or use affirmations for practising positive psychology,

Don’t wallow for days - give yourself ten minutes and then once it has,

Elapsed choose to laugh about how close-minded you were ten minutes

ago,

Focus on finding your people, but if you can’t then enjoy the ones you have!

Gently swirl your neck around, from side to side,

Hope is our tonic to self-soothe - what is it that you want? Set the intent and envision it,

Ideas - recall all those you once had & choose one to focus on: paint, dance, learn french, study philosophy, or join Vocal,

Joke with yourself - the more you learn to laugh at yourself - the greater your self-compassion,

Kiss your dog!

Laugh - even if you have to make yourself. You’ll invariably start laughing about laughing,

Massage the back of your neck with the palm of your hand,

Night-time rituals: aromatherapy, bathe, read, gratitude journal or whatever makes you feel good,

Ommmmmmmm - a time to meditate,

Plan a fun activity with a friend or family member who doesn’t drive you crazy,

Quest: go on your own inner hero’s quest & come back with unique knowledge to share,

Roam the great outdoors: walk, run, breathe in the fresh air,

Shake off all negative energy with some repetitive, slightly aggressive flicks of the wrists,

Tell yourself you are okay right now - this is just something you’re working through,

Use your voice any which way you can: shout, write, sigh & sing,

Vacation, go away, even if for a few days, or a day trip outside of yourself,

Wonder what life would be like if you did away with your evil inner-critic,

Xanadu - journey to your own mind’s dreamy & magical destinations,

Yoga poses & stretches to calm, strengthen and release tension,

Zen - find or rediscover yours & relish the serene with enthusiasm.

🌧 🧘🏽‍♂️ ⚔️ 🐕 ☀️

*Written for the Vocal Abecedarian poetry challenge, 2024.

Quick note: I obviously don’t have it all figured out I assure you, yet many of these have been helpful for me at various times. Unfortunately, my long lines didn’t transfer well into the vocal formatting, yet I know my alphabet, I swear! 😁 Cheers for reading!