The Mental Emotional Health Blog

It’s March (thank goodness). Once we get to the month of March here in Wisconsin, I usually decide Winter is over. That doesn’t mean we won’t have any more snow, ice, or cold wind. But whatever snow we get probably won’t last very long on the ground with the sun’s rays getting stronger and the overall temps increasing. That means golf will be an activity option for me soon.

A year or two ago, I found an article on MedicineNet.com suggesting Mental Spring Cleaning, and thought it was a great idea.  I adjusted some of the ideas and added a couple of ideas as well. The article link is http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56103 .

Mental Spring Cleaning (adapted from MedicineNet.com)
 - Identify negative thoughts, write them down, and then make a list of things you are thankful for. Keep and review the positive list and throw out the negative list.
 - Try to avoid negative people. If this is not realistic, set good boundaries by listening for a while and then politely change the subject or end the conversation. 

       - Be kind, but firm.
 - Meditate for a few minutes
 - Focus on your breathing. Imagine tension and stress leaving you as you breathe out.
 - Think about a calming image and pay attention to the details in the mental image.

       - Give yourself permission to daydream.

       - Walk to a window and count ten things you see outside.
 - Take 20 sips of water, no more, no less. 
 - Balance a book on your head and walk around for one minute.

       - Look for shapes in the clouds.