Because there is no light without shadownor love without fear of losing it, nor is there life in which good and bad moments do not arise.

By Inma Martínez M.

Apathy or sadness are emotions as natural as vitality or joy. And it’s up to us to learn to accept these feelings to channel them in the best possible wayso that neither one nor the other destabilizes us or slows down our personal development.

Difficulties are an inherent part of life. What is often not thought about is that losses, breakups and failures often open doors and unexplored possibilitieswhether to know ourselves better internally or to redefine our course towards a fuller existence.

All you have to do is look back. Haven’t we overcome numerous potholes? Doesn’t accumulated experience bring us closer to what we want than to what we don’t?

This may help to see that, in the present, calm and serenity They must be the main allies.

Little by little, they will find each other solutions to fears and problems. It’s a matter of facing them. That is, to live them. Hence also the meaning of this article.

We all, at times, feel tired, jaded or not very encouraged. But instead of leaving yourself at the mercy of these emotions, you can try decipher the hidden message. What are they trying to tell us?

Mood is a valuable detector of how the organism is doingon a physical and spiritual level. It is as if it warns us that we have overlooked primary needs and objectives.

Given this the mission is to look for alternatives: Assess what you are doing wrong to change it and try to recover with new tactics and strategies.

These don’t have to be complicated or radical; it is simply about listen to and adapt to your most intimate desires.

Most of the time a small gesture can work wonderssuch as seeking relaxation when the body or mind asks for it, or reflecting on the reasons for our actions and attitudes if we feel dissatisfied…

Well-being is determined by oneself day by day. And since each person knows themselves best, what better expert to give themselves the care they deserve and that suits them so well.

We propose some attitudes and gestures that can promote good times.

1. Face things

Problems are situations that must be resolved; Otherwise, they become authentic energy vampireswhich devitalize both physically and mentally.

If there is something that disturbs us –a feeling, a concrete fact, a confrontation with a person–, it is advisable to stop along the way to reflect.

Why do we feel this way? Are there other factors that could be influencing it? Do we need to ask for help or advice? What is the best solution?

After a small «round table» with oneself, or with someone close, one discovers that worries, when faced with serenity and maturity, They lose a good part of their gravity.

Not turning your back on them helps you grow. The intelligence It is a great tool for managing setbacks when they arise, without the need for the world to come crashing down.

2. Dress for success

When you feel sad or tired, you tend to put on the first thing you find in the closet. The mind is so clouded that the mere fact of having to Getting dressed is a mountain for us.

The result, however, does not improve the situation much, since the disheveled image in the mirror only plunge us deeper into misery.

On the other hand, when you are happy, or simply comfortable with yourself, each garment is chosen conscientiouslyaccessories and fragrance included.

The attention paid to physical appearance is closely linked to state of mind. And in the same way it happens the other way around.

With a little effort, a nice outfit can be a real injection of positivism that should not be wasted. It is even possible that you will receive some compliments throughout the day!

3. Bathe in light

He weekend or non-working days allow you to wake up later, when the sun has already risen. Take advantage of these occasions to Exposing yourself to sunlight is excellent for recharging your batteries.

It will be enough to raise the blinds at home or sit by a sunny window while you enjoy breakfast, although you can take a short walk and get some exercise.

Likewise, the good spring weather is ideal for taking the first outdoor sunbathing: a wonderful source of natural energy that improves the mood and tones the nervous system.

4. Help others

It is well known the personal gratification that report altruistic acts. Who doesn’t feel better after lending a hand to someone in need?

Helping others can be a way to help yourself.

Focusing attention on the needs of others makes own problems seem smaller and gives the true measure of the importance of things.

Both, raises self-esteem and reinforces the sense of autonomy and competence.

Numerous studies have shown that people who do some social work have less likely to abuse alcohol or drugs and they even sleep better.

Whether through an organization or spontaneously, altruistic behavior always makes you feel good.

5. Relax your neck

The accumulated tensions and poor posture that are adopted during the day take their toll on the cervical spine. In addition, the base of the skull It is the area that most suffers from everyday pressure and effort.

To relax, practice the following exercise:

• Find a quiet place and sit at a right angle with back straight and head raised. Breathe deeply for a few minutes.
• Next, inhale through your nose while tilting your head to the right, until it is aligned with the shoulder. You should notice how neck muscles stretchbut without forcing them.
• Very slowly, exhale and return to the center. Repeat the same movement to the other sidesynchronizing it with breathing.
• Now, place your bowl-shaped right hand behind the neck, apply light pressure, inhale and puts his head back; then exhale and carry it forward. Repeat with your left hand.
• To finish, make a circle with your head, slow and smooth. Inhale as you go up and exhale as you go down, turning twice to the right and twice to the left.

6. Breathe deeply

A lot of tension can be released by deep, relaxed abdominal breathing.

Due to stress, the body restricts breathing and places it on the chest, instead of the abdomen, what causes anxiety.

On the other hand, when the body relaxes and breathing calmsyou gain energy and improve performance and concentration. The breath, then, descends from the thorax to the belly. Take the test:

• Sit down and put your feet on the floor, close your eyes and focus only on the air coming in and out of the body.
• Gently place the left hand on the chest and the right on the belly. Breathe in and out slowly.
• If the left hand moves, it means You breathe with your chest, a symptom of stress.
• Therefore, focus on fill the belly with air when inhaling through the nose, and emptying it little by little when exhaling through the mouth.
• In a few minutes breathing becomes slower and deeperreturning the lost tranquility.

7. Create space

Sometimes things that are not used accumulate (useless objects, old clothes, broken appliances…) and, without realizing it, they are allowed to occupy precious space, complicating the proper functioning of the home.

Disorder is often the straw that breaks the camel’s backespecially in times of stress or discouragement. It feels like an obstacle.

Can start little by littleFor example, going through that drawer full of papers. This simple gesture already contributes a good dose of energy.

Organization and order make life infinitely more comfortable and, consequently, promote balance.

Likewise, getting rid of unnecessary things is a symbolic way of creating space for open to new experiences and evolutions.

8. Live the rain

With the arrival of autumnit is easy for rain to surprise us on more than one occasion.

And, although at first it may be seen as a nuisance, rain is a beautiful spectacle that invites reflection and reflection.

Furthermore, once the downpour passed, everything shines and the sun shines with more enthusiasm.

If we always complain about not having time to restthe rain is the ideal excuse to do it. You can find a window or a covered place outdoors and relax enjoying the refreshing atmosphere.

The sound and flow of water are a very effective anti-stress remedyas it helps you feel relaxed and calm.

Likewise, rainy days give the opportunity to do what was not plannedlike enjoying the comfort of home, finishing that book you had half finished, mentally reviewing the week…

And they even have certain sensitizing powerinviting us to write to old friends or to meditate on existence with the soft sound of water in the background.

9. Feel the music

Choosing the right music at all times is an art that we can practice to relieve daily stress and even get to know ourselves better.

Furthermore, it is an activity that increases creative capacityrelax and open your mind.

When listening to music, certain parts of the brain are stimulated and a sedative effect on the bodyvery beneficial against stress or depression.

For music to have a therapeutic effect, it must dedicate time exclusively. It’s about listening to it and letting yourself go, so transports us to another plane of reality.

It is not about analyzing the melody or the rhythm, but about keep your mind free so that the notes invade our energetic and sensory channels.

Regarding the musical selectionshould be done based on personal tastes and the emotions that each song awakens. You can create several special playlists: to relax, to cheer up…

10. Get tired!

The people with a sedentary jobwhich requires mental but not physical effort, They tend to sleep worse than those who need to move and use their body to work.

To sleep well, it is not enough for the mind to get tired during the day, the body also needs to feel fatigued.

with only 15 minutes of exercise The body is now provided with the physical activity and oxygen it needs to relax and get a restful sleep. And if you can do it for 25-30 minutes, much better.

It doesn’t have to be a special sport.: A half-hour daily walk is an excellent way to ensure these benefits.

Of course, it is preferable to do the exercise throughout the day. If done late in the afternoon, it should be at least a couple of hours before bedtime.

11. Meditate for pleasure

Meditating consists of give the mind a restfocusing on our most intimate being and disconnecting.

Practice meditation reduces stress, anxiety and promotes a state of calm ideal for internal reorganization.

There are very simple and effective exercises. It is enough to do them for 10-15 minutes a day to calm the mind and connect with one’s own interior. For example:

• Dressed in loose clothing, sitting on the floor or on a cushion, with your legs…