When you feel stuck in depressed, anxious or angry moods, do you have tools that you can use to help you get out of the muddy water and regain your emotional equilibrium? A skilled gardener has a toolbox to help her take care of her garden. I think it would be very helpful for each of us to have a toolbox we can use to attend to our emotional garden as well.

So what are some tools we can use to elevate depression, level out mood swings, and calm irritation and anger? With this question in mind, I reflected on the tools that have helped me over the years…

Eight tools emerged from my “Toolbox for Emotional Balance.” I’ll share the first four tools in this post, and the remaining four in my next one.

1. Attend to your own needs

I used to pour so much energy outward attending to projects and other people’s needs that I often neglected my own. And I ended up paying the price with exhaustion, depression and mood swings.

Now I pay special attention to my own needs. It’s amazing that my body and feelings never fail to tell me which areas of my life are neglected and need my love and attention. When I listen and attend to my own needs, I experience more balanced mood and energy. And when I don’t listen, they shout and cry in increasing forceful and violent ways until I finally pay attention.

So I think attending to your own needs is an extremely important habit to cultivate, especially for women because of our natural tendency to give and nourish others, sometimes at the expense of our own wellbeing.

2. Spend time in the nature

Doesn’t matter if I feel tired, sad or upset, spending time in nature always takes me to a better place. Mother Nature is so supporting and nourishing that it always grounds me, centers me, rejuvenates me and uplifts me.

Try to spend some time in nature every week. Go for a walk in a park, hike up a mountain, watch a sunset, or plant a garden…

3. Create an uplifting environment

Whether we’re aware or not, our environment has a profound and powerful impact on our mood and state of being. This includes our home, work environment, the books we read, the programs we watch, the music we listen to, and the people we spend time with.

A harmonious, uplifting and nourishing environment tends to promote a balanced mind and balanced emotions. So pay attention to your environment and make it supportive of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Bring some fresh flowers to your home. Go to a museum and appreciate a piece of artwork you like. Read an uplifting book. Spend time with friends who give you energy…

4. Find your power spot

When I visited the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago, I had a powerful connection with the place. Its beauty moved me so deeply that it brought tears into my eyes… Later I learn that every time I see myself (in my mind’s eye) standing in front of the Grand Canyon, it evokes the same feelings I had when I was physically there. I know it’s my power spot.

Do you have a place where you feel most calm, peaceful and powerful? This is your power spot. In your mind, bring yourself back to this place every now and then, taking notice of any bodily sensations, thoughts and images, or moods/emotions you experience. By bringing yourself to this magical place regularly it will be easier to connect to these desired emotions when you need them most.

Have you used any of the tools I mentioned? Have they helped you? What are some other tools you have used? We’d appreciate your sharing them with us.

And stay tuned for the other four tools in my next post.