Healthy Mindset

According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has at least 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive thoughts. If we repeat those negative thoughts, we think negative way more than we think positive thoughts. That means we have thousands of opportunities either to make ourselves stronger or to tear ourselves down. However, all negative thoughts are not bad. Being alert can help us survive, but most negative thoughts are useless, and they only create imaginary drama in our mind.

It is important to understand that the  mind constantly seeks thoughts to think, challenges to face,  and problems to solve. If we don’t set an intention, it will make up its own challenges and problems. Hence, it will run on autopilot with useless thoughts  calling for our attention.

Being conscious of what goes on in our minds  is essential for our well-being because our thoughts greatly influence how we feel and behave. In fact, our inner monologue has a tendency to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Thinking things like, “I will never get hired for this job,” or “Nobody ever listens to me,” “People don’t like me”, can alter our behavior in a way that makes those predictions come true. Simply paying attention to the way we think and taking charge of what occupies our mind, establishes a healthy mindset –  the key component to a healthy body, healthy relationships, and a healthy life.

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” — Lao Tzu

Read on 8 Life Coaching tools proven to promote a healthy mindset:

1) BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.  A healthy mindset starts by believing and supporting yourself.  Refuse to succumb to the downward spiral caused by unhealthy self-judgment and self-doubt. Push out negative self-talk,  and replace it with positive thoughts about who you are and what you deserve. Talk to yourself like a trusted friend.  Ask yourself, “What would I say to a friend who is going through what I am going through ?” And then, offer those kind and gentle words to yourself. Commit to fully accept yourself and embrace who you are, with loving-kindness and compassion.  Then, make choices that reflect that self-love.

2) QUESTION YOUR THOUGHTS and don’t believe everything you think. Pay attention to the tape loop of chatter within your mind and notice how that sort of thinking fuels mood imbalances like anxiety, fear, and lack of confidence. You can’t shut down your mind, but you can detach, and not believe every thought you have. “A thought is just that — a thought,” says Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D. and psychologist, “It has no emotional content attached to it. Observe and then dismiss the thought.”

3) FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE. Negativity will not help you overcome challenges or achieve personal growth. While you want to stay realistic about situations,  look for ways to focus on the positive aspects, and explore healthy solutions. Find the silver lining, even in the most difficult circumstances.

4) FACE UNCOMFORTABLE FEELINGS HEAD ON. Avoiding emotional discomfort is usually a short-term solution that leads to long-term problems. Anger can turn to bitterness, and mild anxiety can become paralyzing fear. For example, people who fear failure often avoid new challenges in an effort to keep anxiety at bay.  In order to heal and gain more confidence, practice tolerating discomfort, one baby step at a time.

5) PRACTICE GRATITUDE. Research shows gratitude cultivates well-being while decreasing emotional fluctuations such as anxiety and depression. Gratitude can even help you sleep better and wake up more refreshed. Expressing gratitude can take many forms. You can reflect on the positive aspects of your life, keep a gratitude journal, give someone a meaningful “thank you,” and even find lessons to feel grateful about from challenging situations.

6) PRACTICE MINDFULNESS.  Follow the sensation of your breath as it goes in and out your nose. Don’t judge yourself nor obsess over the content of the thoughts. Just keep coming back to observing the sensation of your breath. For a healthy mindset, live in the present, and slow down to enjoy each moment.

7) PRACTICE YOGA. Regular practice of yoga is proven to release muscle tension, improve blood circulation, increase oxygenation, and help implement relaxation techniques that balance mood,  reduce anxiety, and manage depression.

8) LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Instead, see mistakes as opportunities to learn so you can do better next time. Once you’ve absorbed the lesson from the mistake, don’t dwell on it, just move on and say, “What’s next!”  Don’t hold back or hold things in to avoid mistakes. Accept challenges and failures as part of developing better skills.

Only you can cultivate your healthy mindset. You won’t regret the investment of your efforts, it is such an important task for living a good and healthy  life. Be patient with yourself, be consistent, and always lean toward self-love and forgiveness. Before you know it, you’ll read through this list and realize you’re doing it.  Now go on and make it happen.

My Love to YOU,

Veronica