Three-Weeks Survival Guide

Question:

Efsher (perhaps) a "Three-Weeks Survival Guide"?

Answer:

(Of course check things first with your local Orthodox rabbi):

• Negina (music): The issur (prohibition) is for stam (plain) listening, as opposed to what is needed for menuchas hanefesh (calmness), simchas hachaim (happiness), and a healthy connection with Hashem. (See Meiri: Moed Katan 21b, as well as Tikunei Zohar 119a.) (But only privately.)
• Rechitza (washing): Again, only when it is stam for ta'anug (enjoyment)—not if you are dirty. (Rebbi Chaim Brisker zatzal held that soap anyways is not included in the prohibition, for the issur is rechitza [washing], not sicha [anointing/lathering].)
• Clothing: Undergarments don't need preparation, outer garments don’t take much to prepare…
• Meat: What's wrong with dairy?
• Wine: Drink Arak! (In moderation.)
• Depressing davening (prayers): Switch shuls.
• Boredom: Learn Sha'ar haBitachon.
• Bad mazal (fortune): Become a first-class kofer (nonbeliever) in teva (nature), and believe just in Hashem! (But don't look for trouble.)