365 Ways to Feel Better by Eve Menezes Cunningham

This book is rather more spiritually focused that I'd expected, so if you're a fan of angels, crystals, meditation, yoga, and other 'new age' approaches to feeling better, you might enjoy it. Personally I'm finding many of the ideas don't appeal and I'd rather go for a walk, which I know will boost my mood! However, there are lots of ideas, so if the day-to-day readings aren't doing it for you, you could dip in to any part of the book, looking for something that does appeal. It doesn't really matter what order you do things in.

How does the book work? It's broken down into 365 days of the year, with daily readings containing ideas to make you feel better. They range from writing lists, to meditation, to yoga, and a whole lot more. I started reading this book in December and didn't feel inspired enough by the suggestions to actually do any of them. Of course, you don't benefit, if you don't do them! So in January, I made a more committed attempt to act upon at least some of the daily ideas.

Day 1 is the Relaxation Response - a type of meditation. Day 2 is thinking ahead to what you want your life to be like a year from now. Day 3 is visualisation of a glowing ball and energy. Day 4 is pausing before an activity to  consider how you hope to feel afterwards, or what you hope to achieve. Using angel cards is suggested. Day 5 suggests putting crystals in home and work spaces. Day 6 is breathing exercises. Day 7 is practising mindfulness. Day 8 is breathing from the abdonimal area. Day 9 is longer exhalation when breathing, and Day 10 looks at different aspects of personality... a theme that continues over the next few days.

The book continues for 365 days, covering a diverse array of ideas, many of which have a basis in meditation or breathing. Some tasks encourage you to consider how you might be able to do more of the things you enjoy. One task is to flush bad feelings down the loo, while another is to write a letter and burn it, which is supposed to eliminate negativity.

Some of the ideas are quite relaxing, or thought provoking. There are a lot of ideas around positivity, contemplation, analysis and reflection. There are sections which encourage you to consider doing more of what you'd enjoy, so my instinct to go walking, sign up to an evening class, dance, read a good book, or indulge in a movie - rather than spend a lot of time on breathing exercises, isn't at odds with the book. You can do both! It might inspire you.