Feel better now

We've been looking at the effects of thinking on our feelings and health. Check out this recent article on how positive feelings affect cardiovascular health as well. Imagery and positive thinking are great, then again, I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need to feel better now!!!  The first step is to become aware of your feelings. A psychologist colleague of mine, Dr. Frank Tornatore, suggested doing frequent "check-ins" to scan your body and emotions. If any negativity or stress is found, then stop for a moment to intervene (with therelaxation response, progressive relaxation, or deep breathing exercise) or re-evaluate thoughts as necessary, then turn it around before the feeling goes further... like so you are not a ticking time bomb of stress!  Then check out and carry on in a better path. "Check in and check out," he says... frequently.  So HOW do you stop and turn around adverse feelings, thoughts, emotions, etc.?  Well here's something cool. Recently, someone gave me an audiobook by Kevin Trudeau called, "Your Wish is Your Command" in which he states we all have a genie within us to get what we want by sending out good vibrations, among other things. Really? It's controversial! There was some valuable information in this work, but personally, I lean toward prayer and goal-setting and accountability... every day!  However, I did like chapter 8 when Kevin talked about a list of 20 ways to FEEL BETTER NOW. He had some great practical tips on how to improve your mood and feelings, so you will begin to feel better, even quickly. It inspired me to start a little garden and even to play Mozart on the piano for the first time in almost 20 years. Bet you didn't know I could do that, eh? I was a closet pianist in my younger days, LOL :)  So here's the list...I'm going to share it with you today before our next series on how FOODS affect your moods. Let me know which ideas are your favorites, I'd love to hear from you! Think healthy, eat healthy, and stay well! Many Blessings

Imagine This!

We've all seen or experienced what happens when people get too stressed out. Does that ever happen to you? Today's topic is about how to get to that "happy place" if even for a few minutes...to take a little mental time-out for restoration, stress management, or healing!  "But I just can't get there!"    Mental imagery is powerful and if you can THINK, you can do it! Here are some tips (first in a two-part series) for "Imagery in Relaxation" from one of my colleagues, Dr. Hillel Mazansky, this is his specialty! Directions to the Happy Place, LOL One common use of imagery in relaxation is to imagine a scene, place or event that you remember as safe, peaceful, restful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image with, for example, sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, the taste of cool white wine, the warmth of the sun, etc. Use the imagined place as a retreat from stress and pressure. Scenes can involve complex images such as lying on a beach in a deserted cove. You may "see" cliffs, sea and sand around you, "hear" the waves crashing against rocks, "smell" the salt in the air, and "feel" the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze on your body. Other images might include looking at a mountain view, swimming in a tropical pool, or whatever you want. You will be able to come up with the most effective images for yourself. Other uses of imagery in relaxation involve creating mental pictures of stress flowing out of your body, or of stress, distractions and everyday concerns being folded away and locked into a padlocked chest. Ahhh... I feel better already, do you? I want to go there! For more information on Dr. Mazansky and his work, you can check out his website http://www.gianinc.com  Stay tuned...next up in this two part series is: How to use imagery in preparation and rehearsal...  To give you a competitive EDGE... Instead of worrying...because worrying is actually mental preparation for impending doom! Well we don't want to go THERE!