326 — The Fastest Way to Feel Better When Everything's Going Wrong (It's Not Self-Care)

Want more mental strength plays? Pick up a copy of ⁠⁠⁠The Mental Strength Playbook⁠⁠⁠.
 
Have you ever had one of those days—or one of those weeks—where everything seems to be going wrong, and no matter what you try, you just feel discouraged?
 
Fortunately, there’s a play you can run when you don’t know what to do. And on the surface, it seems a little backward.
 
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a play that sounds completely backward. But it’s one of the best ways to get out of your head and prove to yourself that you have some power, even during your worst days.
 
Some of the things I talk about are:
 

• The week before my book launch when everything fell apart at once—and the unexpected errand that turned out to be the best use of my afternoon.
• Why “self-care” can actually keep you stuck, and the shift from self-care to other-care that does the opposite.
• The body chemistry behind kindness—what it does to your hormones.
• The science behind why this play is so effective.
• The three simple steps to throwing a good vibes boomerang (and why speed matters more than size).
• The one thing to do after that teaches your brain to reach for this play again.
• Two ways this play can backfire—including the well-meaning move that can get misread at work.
• How to grab a free printable list of boomerang ideas so you never have to brainstorm kindness on your worst day.

 
Get the free Good Vibes Boomerang List – ⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com/326⁠
 

Key Takeaways:

• Instead of focusing on self-care when you’re down, do something to get out of your head and empower yourself.
• Performing acts of kindness releases oxytocin and reduces cortisol, promoting emotional balance and mental strength.
• Simple gestures, like sending a thoughtful message, can boost your mood.