Ive maintained a collection of quotes/ song lyrics/ pictures/short stories that Ive collected over the years, that when I start getting into the negative spiral of worrying -you know where your mind just won't shut up, I pull up that file and I read it. I also tend to sing songs to myself, especially when Im upset.
As far as the meditation goes, I would totally recommend it -whether it takes the form of zen meditation, tai chi (what I did), christian meditation or just sitting and watching nature outside the window or walking through the woods. I don't think it really matters. What matters is that you find a way to slow your brain down and take a deep breath and focus on something other than what ever it is that is happening in your life.