Summer Semester Is OVER!

I'm done with Summer Semester and am now officially on vacation! YAY! Summer Vacation usually lasts about two months, maybe even three when you're a student...NOT TWO AND A HALF WEEKS! But I'm going to make the most of it! I finished my Psychiatric rotation last week and took my final test of the semester early. I'm really hoping I passed, but I won't find out officially until Thursday, so I'm still slightly stressed. I learned a few things with this last rotation of the semester. One thing that I learned was, no matter how crazy I have felt in my life, I have NEVER EVER been crazy. NEVER EVER. So, that was nice to learn. I was also reminded what an integral part Psychology is in all our lives. I picked up this list while hanging out on the Psych ward and thought I would post it for all of you, but mostly for me.

HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF

1. STOP ALL CRITICISM. Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

2. DON'T SCARE YOURSELF. Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

3. BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT. Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.

4. BE KIND TO YOUR MIND. Self hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

5. PRAISE YOURSELF. Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

6. SUPPORT YOURSELF. Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. it is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

7. BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES. Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release the old negative pattern.

8. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercises. What kind of exercise can you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

9. MIRROR WORK. Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents looking into the mirror. Forgive them too. At least once a day say: "I love you, I really love you!"

10. DO IT NOW. Don't wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or the new relationship. Begin now and do the best that you can.