create some comfort in your life

It’s a challenge for many to find relief or comfort from stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, yet we desperately need to. Many folks are great at creating comforting moments for others, but when it comes to being intentional about creating comfort in their world, well, not so much.

You can be intentional, even in times of extreme stress, about building soothing moments into your day that allow you to escape. If you’re thinking you just can’t afford to do that, here’s hoping you will reconsider. You really can’t afford not to. We all need moments that allow for a break in the action to hit the refresh button. It’s good for us, and it’s good for the people around us.

Ways to create some comfort in your life:

1. Make a list of all the things you love that make you happy.
   Do some of those things daily.
2. Indulge in your favorite comfort meal.
   You know, all the stuff you would typically say, “I shouldn’t be eating this…” Eat that and savor every second of it guilt-free.
3. Take time out for a walk.
   Make a point of looking up at the sky, watching the trees, and looking for wildlife. Pay attention to your breathing. Avoid thinking about things that are stressful in your life at the moment. Literally, take a break.
4. Laugh.
   Watch a funny show or talk to that friend who always makes you laugh.
5. Listen to soothing music, read a book or magazine, work on a puzzle, or on your hobby.
   Doing something that distracts you from the day’s stress and anxiety can be relaxing and bring comfort.

communicate more effectively in your marriage

What are the keys to effective communication? Well, research on what makes marriage work shows that happy and healthy couples have a ratio of 5:1 positive to negative behaviors in their relationship.

This means there are five times as many positive interactions between happy couples (listening, validating the other person, using soft words, expressing appreciation, affirmation, physical affection, compliments, etc.) as there are negative (raising one’s voice, stating a complaint, or expressing one’s anger).

tips for improving communication:

💚 Be intentional about spending time together.

💚 Use more “I” statements and less “You” statements.

💚 Be specific.

💚 Avoid mind-reading.

💚 Express negative feelings constructively.

💚 Listen without being defensive.

💚 Freely express positive feelings.