Even in the best of times, we all have good days and bad. One day you get up in the morning energized and ready to take on your world and the next day, you want to pull the covers over your head and be in full retreat mode!

Weather, stress, overwhelm and anxiety can temper how we face each day. Add a difficult time of transition and what happens then? It may be that bad days become the norm and those good days become elusive and very hard to come by.

Anna just retired. It was painful for her to leave a lifetime career she loved. She’s feeling like she left her identity behind as well. ” How did I get to this age and stage in life?”, she asks.

Good days are a rarity now. Most days, Anna feels lost, disconnected and sad. Trying to figure out what she wants to do with herself feels like a monumental task.

Major life changes can send us into a tail spin. Besides becoming more frequent, bad days are harder to pull out of. Feelings of frustration, impatience and anger  may be predominant.

What can we do to give ourselves a break to relax a bit and revitalize? Here are some tips that might be just what you need.

1.  Take a deep breath! It’s amazing the restorative powers of feeling the deepness of your breathing and the sense of relaxation that can follow.

2.  Look for simple pleasures you enjoy. A cup of tea, a good book, a short walk. Choose something just for YOU! It doesn’t have to be anything big, expensive or last a long time. It just needs to be something you enjoy.

3.  Call a friend. Connect with someone who listens, cares and supports you. You might share a good laugh together too. You don’t have to be alone!

Just these 3 steps for starters can make a significant difference. Give it a try and let me know how it works!