The snow has gone again, hopefully for the last time.  Jack is out riding his bike, Charlie and I follow behind.

I watched a video on Cheerful Monk's blog this morning and it resonated with me.  I have always struggled with my emotions and regulating those emotions, among other things like organization, impulsivity, and fear of rejection.  

The video named five things I can do to help with my emotional regulation.

1.  Scan my body immediately and to see what it's doing, clenching, tightness, etc. and relax what is tight.

2. Inhale and exhale with the exhale twice as long as the inhale.

3. 2 minutes of intense physical exercise like jumping jacks.

4. Name it to tame it.  Name the emotion, feel it, and then let it go.

5. Give love and specific appreciation to someone.

None of this is new but it also explains in scientific terms when you would feel better.  I'm a science nerd and I appreciate knowing the why of things, makes me more likely to follow through on something.  I remember when I was a young nurse and a resident wanted me to start an insulin drip on a patient who was not diabetic.  He had to explain it to me a few times before I finally understood and then I was willing to do it.  Understanding helps.

Anyway, that's been my week so far.  Pottery was wonderful yesterday, my plants are outside enjoying the outdoors which is good because I just checked the weather and we could have snow again later this week.  At least Alberta is never boring:)

And because summer is coming.