As you go through your life, keep your mind open for things that you can do that would help you meet your needs. Be patient with yourself. Over time ideas will come to you. When you think of something, write it down! You will think of things that take a moment to do, some that take a few minutes or a half hour. Some of your ideas will take an hour or an afternoon. That is fine. Make lists of ways to meet your needs and group these activities by how much time they take. Then when you only have a moment, you will be able to look at the list for activities that take only a moment. When you have an hour, enjoy selecting an activity that takes an hour. Let's look at the need for 'decompression' that often hits when you hit the end of your work day.

Here are some ideas for decompressing that my clients have shared with me:
Things that take just a few minutes:
--Remove all the elastic from your body. In the summer, powder to cool down. In the winter, lotion your skin to refresh. Then dress in cozy stay at home clothes.
-- Since dehydration makes people feel tired, get a drink of water or non-caffeine tea (iced or hot).
-- Tell family or roommates that you need a few minutes ALONE, and mean what you say.
-- Pinch flowers in your garden.
-- Pet your cat.

Things that take about a half hour:
--Move through time and space, for your own pleasure, at your own pace.
-- Take a gentle walk, in comfy shoes, just around your block or your yard. Breathe. Swing your arms. Feel the tension fall away like dust falls to the ground.
-- Read a your favorite self-esteem boosting magazine like Radiance, BBW, or Mode.
-- Eat the salad or fruit (that you prepared for yourself last night) while you cook tonight's dinner.

You probably would not be able to think of all these things at the moment you needed to decompress. However, you could look at a paper where all these ideas are ALREADY WRITTEN DOWN and CHOOSE which activity you will try today.

All you need to do is start to make your lists.
Keep your mind and heart open.
Notice what meets your needs.
Notice how things affect you.

When you discover what your needs are, you can make a list for each need. Notice how things effect you in your daily life. Notice what really meets your needs. As you find an activity that helps you calm down, decompress, feel comfort, vent anger, cheer up, or whatever other needs you have, add that activity to your lists. You do not have to hold all these ideas in your head. You have them at your fingertips whenever you need them. When you use these "Lists for Live" you will meet your needs more effectively than eating ever could. You will feel more relaxed because you have so many constructive options from which to choose.

Other Workbook Lessons

Workbook Basics
(Do these lessons FIRST before
continuing to Weekly Lessons)

Weekly Lessons
(Do these lessons AFTER
you have finished all the
Workbook Basics)

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Lifestyle Coaching

Plus Size Fitness

Healthy Eating

Success Stories

eNewsletter

Kelly’s Choice Shopping

In the News

Health Focus

Contact Me

Public Speaking

Become an Affiliate

Wholesale

Meet Your Needs

Example

Other Workbook Lessons

Sign up for
Kelly's Healthy Living eNewsletter