Practices for Defragmenting Your Inner Hard Drive

Write down bothersome thoughts. Release them by burning, tearing, trashing, or putting in a little jar of water (non-glass) in the freezer—put ’em on ice!

1. Take a shower and imagine chaos and concern washing out of and off of your body and mind and flowing down the drain.

2. Become a loving parent to yourself by giving the needy aspects of your personality what she or he longs for.

3. Say, write, or sing affirmations.

4. Lie on the floor with your feet against the wall, perpendicular to your body, for a few minutes.

5. Breathe deeply and slowly into your heart and belly. Exhale worries and cares, and inhale support and love.

Excerpted from How to Stay Upbeat in a Beat Down World by Sue Patton Thoele. Available on Amazon.