By Leo Babauta

Dealing with other people, with the world, with all of your tasks … is so much easier when your heart is open.

When you’re feeling open towards someone, you are more generous in how you interpret their actions and words, you feel connected to them, and conflicts are easier to resolve.

When you’re feeling open, you take on your tasks easier. Projects move forward.

When you’re feeling open, it’s OK to feel overwhelmed sometimes … but you’re able to deal with it all easier.

So how do we get open-hearted when we’re not feeling that way? When our hearts are closed, our main focus should be on finding what’s needed to open them again.

Attend to any emotions or hurtness. Rest and take care of yourself. Practice gratitude. Go out and connect with nature. Move your body. Take some time in silence and solitude. Replenish your batteries. Ask for help, or hugs.

Once you’ve attended to your heart, the rest of life is much easier. What state is your heart in right now? How can you attend to it?