We’re human. We’re bound to experience the odd rough day. Traffic, bad day at the office, stormy and messy weather, running late, crossing paths with a not-so-joyful-soul; it all makes for a crummy day. One that makes you want to crawl back into bed and wake up to a fresh new start.

Ideally, the best way to counteract misery and keep your joy is to avoid it all together. In real life, we can’t always eliminate uncomfortable situations from our daily routine. Coping with the doom and gloom and overcoming it is nothing short of a survival skill. Here’s some of my ammunition:

Prayer. Sharing my frustration, tears, anger, or worries with God. He always listens. Prayer brings me to a place of comfort, faith, and strength. I turn all my pain over to God knowing that He’s in control. In so doing, I can be sure all will work out for the best.

Yoga. There’s nothing more calming and grounding than 45 minutes of focusing on my own breath, stretching into poses, and balancing into stillness. It takes me back to my own reality while taking me out of the temporary chaos that stirred up any anxiety.

Exercise. I walk it off. Whether in the sunshine or on my treadmill, pumping the endorphins is a sure way of lifting my mood. The plus side, extra weight keeps its distance.

A time out. It’s not just for toddlers. In the heat of the moment, I walk away. Take a few deep breaths. Ask God for patience and strength. Return, if I must, with a clearer head, a stronger reserve, and the faith that soon the distressing incident will be nothing but a memory.

Vent. That one good friend who listens to my woes, makes me giggle, and pulls me up from the dumps. During these heart-to-heart talks, I’m reminded that I’m truly blessed.

Food. I’m an advocate of comfort food, savoring tasty treats that provide comfort. For me, there’s nothing like plunging a fork into macaroni and cheese, scooping up gooey cheese into a scoopable chip, or swirling a spoon into a mound of ice cream and relishing every bite. Sometimes a girl just needs a taste of comfort to help soothe her soul.

A soothed soul will always take me back to my joyful heart.

Sharon – Embracing My Joy

“The excursion is the same when you go looking for your sorrow as when you go looking for your joy.” Eudora Welty