Practical Tips for Finding Work Balance and Reduce Stress and Anxiety

In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments, stress and anxiety have become common companions for many professionals. The pressure to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and maintain a high level of productivity can take a toll on our mental well-being. However, finding balance amidst the chaos is essential for our long-term health and happiness. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate stress and anxiety at work and find a sense of equilibrium.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to prioritise self-care. Take breaks throughout the day to recharge and refocus. Even short walks or deep-breathing exercises can do wonders for reducing stress levels. Additionally, ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in physical activity regularly. Taking care of your physical well-being will provide a solid foundation for managing stress.

Communication is another key aspect. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your colleagues, supervisors, or HR department if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Expressing your concerns and discussing potential solutions can alleviate some of the stress. Furthermore, consider setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Define your working hours and resist the temptation to check emails or respond to work-related matters outside of those designated times.

Organisational skills play a vital role in managing stress. Develop effective time management strategies, prioritise tasks, and break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps. By creating a clear roadmap, you can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and increase your productivity.

Finding healthy coping mechanisms is essential. Engage in activities that help you relax and unwind outside of work, such as practicing mindfulness, journaling, or pursuing hobbies. These activities can provide a much-needed respite from work-related stressors.

Lastly, consider seeking support. Professional counselling or therapy can be immensely beneficial in learning effective stress management techniques and gaining insights into your thought patterns and behaviours.

Remember, managing stress and anxiety at work is an ongoing process. It requires self-awareness, proactive measures, and a commitment to self-care. By implementing these practical tips, you can find greater balance, well-being, and fulfilment in both your professional and personal life.

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10 Effective Strategies for Managing and Improving your Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, and it is normal to experience occasional anxiety in our daily lives. However, for some people, anxiety can become overwhelming and interfere with their daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life. If you struggle with anxiety, it is essential to seek professional help. But there are also effective strategies you can use to manage your anxiety on your own. In this blog post, we’ll explore ten effective strategies for managing anxiety.

  1. Practice Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a simple and effective way to manage anxiety. When we’re anxious, our breathing tends to become shallow and rapid, which can exacerbate our symptoms. By taking slow, deep breaths, we can calm our body’s stress response and reduce anxiety. Try taking a deep breath in through your nose for four seconds, holding it for a count of four, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth for six seconds.

  1. Challenge Your Thoughts

Anxiety often stems from negative and unrealistic thoughts. When you notice yourself having anxious thoughts, try to challenge them with evidence and logic. Ask yourself, “Is this thought based on fact or fear?” “What’s the worst that could happen, and is that really likely?” By challenging your thoughts, you can gain perspective and reduce anxiety.

  1. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment and reduce our anxiety. There are many mindfulness practices to choose from, such as meditation, yoga, or simply taking a few minutes to focus on your breath.

  1. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety. When we exercise, our body releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosters. Regular exercise can also improve sleep, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem. Try to aim for at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

  1. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep plays a crucial role in our overall mental health. When we don’t get enough sleep, we’re more prone to anxiety and stress. Try to establish a regular sleep routine, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and create a calming sleep environment.

  1. Connect with Supportive People

Social support is critical for managing anxiety. Spending time with supportive friends and family members can reduce stress and provide a sense of connection and belonging. If you don’t have a support system in place, consider joining a support group or seeking therapy.

  1. Set Realistic Goals

Setting and achieving goals can be a great way to build confidence and reduce anxiety. However, it’s important to set realistic goals that are attainable. Break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps, and celebrate your progress along the way.

  1. Limit Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol can both exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and make us feel jittery, while alcohol is a depressant that can disrupt sleep and mood. Limit your intake of these substances to reduce anxiety.

  1. Use Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and aromatherapy can be helpful in reducing anxiety. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you.

  1. Take Breaks

Finally, it’s important to take breaks and prioritize self-care. Taking time for yourself can reduce stress and prevent burnout. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or going for a walk, make sure to prioritize activities that bring you joy and help you relax.

In conclusion, managing anxiety can be challenging, but there are many effective strategies you can use to reduce your symptoms. By practicing deep breathing, challenging your thoughts, starting a meditation practice, getting enough sleep, connecting with others, setting realistic goals, limiting csffiene and alcohol, doing relaxation techniques and taking breaks, can all help you reduce anxiety and live a more fulfilling life.

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Relaxation and Mental Health: How It Can Improve Your Mood and Well-Being

Relaxation is an important aspect of mental health and well-being, and it can have a positive impact on mood and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. When we relax, our bodies and minds are able to rest, rejuvenate, and heal.

Relaxation can come in many forms, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or a warm bath. It can help to calm the mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. For example, deep breathing exercises can help to slow down the heart rate and reduce the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body. This can promote feelings of calm and relaxation.

Meditation, in particular, has been shown to have a significant impact on mental health. It can improve mood, increase feelings of well-being, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Mindfulness meditation, which involves focusing on the present moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment, has been found to be particularly effective for reducing stress and improving mental health.

Yoga and physical exercise can also be a form of relaxation, and they can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise has been shown to release endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain, and to promote feelings of happiness and well-being.

In conclusion, relaxation is an important aspect of mental health and well-being, and it can have a positive impact on mood and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Whether through deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or physical exercise, finding time to relax and recharge can help to improve mental health and overall well-being.

How Sleep Can Affect Your Mental Health: How They Affect Each Other

Sleep and mental health are closely connected, and the quality of your sleep can have a significant impact on your mental well-being. On the other hand, your mental health can also affect the quality and quantity of your sleep.

When you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed, it can be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Conversely, lack of sleep can contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of developing mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders.

Studies have also shown that sleep problems can be a symptom of mental health conditions, and can even worsen their symptoms. For example, people with depression often experience sleep problems, such as insomnia or oversleeping. These sleep problems can make the symptoms of depression worse and make it more difficult to manage.

In addition to the direct relationship between sleep and mental health, sleep also plays a role in regulating the release of hormones in the body, such as cortisol and serotonin. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can interfere with sleep, and a lack of sleep can cause cortisol levels to increase, leading to feelings of stress and anxiety. On the other hand, serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, is also affected by sleep. A lack of sleep can reduce serotonin levels, leading to feelings of sadness and depression.

In conclusion, the connection between sleep and mental health is complex, and it’s important to prioritise good sleep hygiene to maintain both physical and mental well-being. This can include creating a relaxing bedtime routine, avoiding screens for a few hours before bed, and creating a comfortable sleep environment. If you are experiencing sleep problems, it may be helpful to consult a doctor or mental health professional to address any underlying mental health concerns.

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Energy healing can help with sleep and mental wellbeing, email if you would like more information. I am a qualified adult sleep consultant.

How to Understand and Overcome Anxiety: Five Tips for a Happier Life

Anxiety is a normal part of life, but it can become a problem when it starts to interfere with daily activities. Many people experience feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s possible to manage and overcome these feelings. In this blog post, we will explore the causes of anxiety and provide tips and strategies to help you find peace and calm.

What Causes Anxiety?

Anxiety can stem from various sources, including stress, trauma, genetics, and even certain medical conditions. For some, it may be a temporary response to a stressful situation, while for others, it can be a chronic condition that requires ongoing management.

Tips for Overcoming Anxiety

  1. Practice mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness meditation is a powerful tool for managing anxiety. By focusing on the present moment and letting go of worries about the past or future, you can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
  2. Exercise regularly: Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and can help to reduce feelings of anxiety.
  3. Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential for our overall health and can greatly impact our emotional well-being. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night to help manage anxiety.
  4. Connect with others: Talking to a trusted friend or loved one about your feelings can be a great way to reduce feelings of anxiety. Joining a support group can also provide a sense of community and a safe space to discuss your concerns.
  5. Seek professional help: If your anxiety is causing significant distress in your life, it may be helpful to seek the advice of a mental health professional. They can help you develop coping strategies and provide support as you work to overcome your anxiety.

In conclusion, anxiety can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, but with the right tools and support, it’s possible to overcome. Remember to prioritize self-care, connect with others, and seek professional help if needed. By taking control of your anxiety, you can create a happier and more fulfilling life.

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5 Reasons to meditate and reduce your stress and anxiety.

By Soul Essence New Eltham

Clears your mind.

Meditation helps clear all the jumbled thoughts we constantly have in our heads, possibly causing overload and stress. By meditating, we can relax and focus on the guided meditation or feel and acknowledge our worries, painful memories, thoughts, and emotions and help them dissipate. You can also find the underlying cause of your anxiety.

Relaxation.                                                                                               

Meditation helps you focus on your breathing; by slowing your breathing and using your belly to breathe, you start to relax. Once our bodies start to relax, we feel less stressed and anxious.

Helps you focus.

Firstly, most meditations focus on the breath or a person’s voice for part of the time. If your mind wanders or thoughts come, let them go and bring your focus back to the breath or voice each time. The more you do this the longer you are able to focus before thoughts enter your mind. The more regularly you meditate, the better your ability to focus will become. This will help you be more productive and less stressed.

Helps you sleep better.

Problems with sleep are often due to stress. Stress can cause tension, worry and anxiety, making it hard to fall asleep. By meditating before bed, you will feel more relaxed and calmer, making it easier to get to sleep and improving the quality of your sleep.

Being present in the now.

Living in the past can cause stress and anxiety. We need to remember the past cannot be changed; we can only learn from past experiences. The future has not happened, and we can only change the future by what we do NOW. Therefore, we often feel unhappy, stressed and anxious. We may not even realise it, however constantly living in the past and future can make you feel tired and out of touch with yourself. Meditation can help you stay present and focus on the present moment.

We have a course of meditations to help reduce stress and anxiety, starting Thursday 1st September 2022. The course will be fortnightly at 8 pm.  The cost is £45 for all six sessions or £10 on the night. To check dates click here

Book a session now!

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How the Foods We Eat Can Help Improve Our Anxiety

Doctors and dieticians are beginning to appreciate more about how the nutritional properties of the foods we eat affect the brain. There is a clear and important connection between the brain and the gut; some researchers are now referring to the gut as the second brain. They now know when essential nutrients are deficient, there is a direct effect on the production of neurotransmitters and brain chemistry that can increase anxiety-related behaviours.

Here are some foods to start eating to help with your anxiety and stress today: –

1. Asparagus

Studies going back to the 1960s indicate that many people who suffer from anxiety and depression have shown a folate deficiency. Asparagus is one vegetable that contains a valuable amount of this mood-boosting nutrient. One portion provides two-thirds of your daily recommended folate value.

Try adding asparagus spears to your meals, or even eat as a snack, dip the spears into salsa, hummus or other dips.

2. Avocado

 Avocados are rich in B vitamins and healthy fat; all the B vitamins have positive effects on the nervous system. However, deficiencies in these stress-relieving vitamins have been linked to increased anxiety in people. Avocados also contain vitamin E, which is important for vision, reproduction, and maintaining healthy skin. It also widens the blood vessels. Helps with cognition and the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin E is fat-soluble; it is found in foods with high-fat content like nuts and avocados.

When you next want a chocolate dessert, try blending an avocado, some cacao or cocoa powder and sugar or stevia to taste, chill in the fridge, you will be surprised how good it tastes.

3. Blueberries

Our bodies crave vitamin C when stressed or anxious. Vitamin C is an antioxidant; this helps repair and protect our cells and provide anxiety relief. Blueberries are full of this vitamin and antioxidants.

When you are craving a sugary snack, reach for blueberries instead of sugary sweets and snacks. Sugar is not good for our brains; it causes the brain to work at a sub-optimal level, creating a larger risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. The vitamin C in blueberries will also give your immune system a boost.

4. Turkey

Turkey contains tryptophan, this is nutrient that helps you to sleep. Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body needs to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps regulate sleep and mood.  With this in mind it may help reduce anxious feelings.

Instead of having a takeaway of KFC, try cooking a turkey breast with vegetables as a more healthy option and help your anxiety at the same time.

5. Almonds

Magnesium found in almonds and other nuts may also be effective for helping anxiety-related symptoms. Insufficient magnesium also reduces the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.  12 almonds contain approximately 19% of our daily recommended magnesium. Magnesium can also be found in seeds, legumes, and avocados.

Instead of snacking on biscuits high in trans fats, which will make your anxiety worse and increase the risk of depression, eat a handful of nuts and gain from healthy fats and fibre; these will improve your gut health. Add some dried fruit or dark chocolate chips if you need some sweetness.

6. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a fermented food; these foods can help your anxiety too.  There is a link between eating fermented and probiotic foods and the reduction of social anxiety.  Greek and plain yoghurt are best; they contain live active cultures, which is the nutrient that will help your anxiety.  Other probiotic foods: pickles, sauerkraut, kombucha, and miso.

For breakfast swap the milk with yoghurt with your cereal or have plain yoghurt with fresh fruit.

7. Kale (or Arugula)

Research has found having a lower antioxidant level is linked to anxiety symptoms. Any dark leafy greens like kale are

high in beta carotene, antioxidants, and vitamin C.  These boost our antioxidant levels and help our brains function optimally.

Add kale to your salad; if you do not like the bitter taste, have it as a cooked vegetable, or add to an omelette, soup, or a smoothie to hide the bitter taste.

8. Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly effective when it comes to foods that help with anxiety. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like salmon, chia seeds, soybeans, and walnuts, as well as cold-pressed olive oil. The correct dietary fats are essential to our brain health. Replacing red meat with fish and other omega-3 foods will help support a healthy brain-gut microbiome.

Consider having salmon instead of steak to help keep your cortisol and adrenaline from spiking when you are feeling stressed.

Experiment with these foods to see if your anxiety improves.

Links to more information on anxiety.

17 Affirmations to help cal your anxiety

Anxiety and Exercise

The effect of anxiety on your body

How mindfulness and meditation can help your anxiety

How trapped emotions cause distress, pain and muscle tension in our bodies

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17 Affirmations to Help Calm your Anxiety.

Calm your anxiety with affirmations. Using the right affirmations for your anxiety, you will be able to calm your attacks be they take hold. Below are some affirmations to help reduce your anxiety when you are on the verge of an attack. I would suggest keeping a list in your bag or on your phone until this becomes second nature and you have memorised the affirmations.       

How you can calm anxiety attacks with affirmations or mantras

These affirmations bring you into the present and allow you to ground yourself. Repeating positive affirmations or phrases instil these messages in your brain, helping you become calm and in control. Affirmations are really simple and extremely useful to use when your anxiety strikes. Well known mantras are “om”, “om mani Padme hum”, personal mantras could be “I am full of light”, “I belong, I have faith” mantras are most commonly used in meditation and have a more spiritual background. Although I have used these when out walking on my own. Mantras again are repeated frequently in your mind and will immerse you completely in an idea and bring you closer to your goal. Whatever you use to calm your anxiety has to feel right for you.

Challenge your negative thoughts with these affirmations.

To manage our anxiety, we need to learn how to change our anxious thought patterns using affirmations or mantras. When you start to feel your anxiety rising, instead of listening to the negative thoughts your mind immediately gives you, thoughts like, “I am having an anxiety attack” or “I am panicking”, these often lead to negative self-talk like, “I am so stupid, why did I do …….” Or I hate myself. Why do I do …………….”. As soon as you feel an attack coming, start to read your affirmations from your phone or written list. “I am calm”, “I can feel this fear and let it pass”,, and “I am in control”.

Breaking the cycle of anxiety with affirmations

Anxious thought patterns get embedded in the brain each time you experience an anxiety attack. You can either programme your brain to react to the situation with the negative thought patterns creating anxiety or use positive affirmations to reduce your anxiety. Therefore, you can break the cycle of anxiety by using positive affirmations and mantras to rewire your brain through plasticity.

Not using any form of positive strategies like affirmations or mantras, you feed your fear of a situation, confirming to your brain that this situation results in panic. Using affirmations, you lessen the fear, forcing your brain to see this situation is not scary and not needing to release fear and panic and the fight and flight hormones.

Using affirmations can serve as a distraction to your anxiety.

Using affirmations serves as a distraction from your anxiety, giving you something else to focus on. Having positive affirmations in places around your home on your phone as wallpapers take your brain away from the panic. By focusing on these positive affirmations, reciting them, so you memorise them will immediately bring your focus away from the anxiety attack, which will end your attacks quicker after time.

Rewire the brain with positive affirmations

Studies and science have shown that our brains can be rewired by our thoughts. Therefore, positive affirmations and thoughts can change your brain to be more positive and creating less panic. We have all heard of positive thinking and positive self-talk; this is why it is so important. Your mind will always believe what you constantly tell it. Continually affirming you are having a panic attack or will have one, your brain is more likely to make it happen. By repeating to yourself regularly, “I am calm,” your brain is more likely to make this happen. Affirmations can change your life.

Affirmations to use when you are feeling anxious.

Below are some affirmations to use when you feel your anxiety and fear rising. These are short, so they are easier to remember and use: –

  • I am calm and in control”.
  • I feel the fear and let it go”.
  • “I am not defined by my anxiety”.
  • “I let my anxious thoughts flow in one ear and out the other.”
  • “I am okay.”
  • “I am getting through this anxious moment, just as I have done a million times before”.
  • “I am strong and resilient”.
  • “I choose to feel calm and peaceful”.
  • “I have survived this before; I will this survive now”.
  • “I am free from my anxiety. I am in control”.
  • “I am in charge of my breathing, and I can slow it down”.
  • “I can do this”.
  • “I am above stress of any kind”.
  • “I am familiar with these feelings, and they do not scare me”.
  • “I am surrounded by people who understand”.
  • “I am supported, loved and cared for”.
  • “I have the techniques and tools I need to persevere”.

Using affirmations to relieve your anxiety.

Affirmations can be used in meditation while you are out walking when you are not experiencing anxiety. This further helps rewire our brains. There are many ways you can use them. You choose what is best for you. The one rule for helping anxiety is to recite an affirmation at least 10 times or until you feel it resonating with you every time you are feeling anxious wherever you are.

When you have an attack, you can recite the affirmation silently to yourself, read it from your phone or paper list, or sit and write them down. Our brains all work differently, so choose the way feels most comfortable for you. You must keep repeating the affirmations for them to rewire your brain.

The above are only a few affirmations; there are hundreds more online and plenty of apps that will send you an affirmation each day. We are all at different stages of our anxiety, and using affirmations may not be enough for you. If you need more support, please do not hesitate to contact me to support you further. There is lots of help out there, and you do not need to suffer in silence and alone.

If you are already on medication, DO NOT stop taking this without getting advice from your doctor.

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Easy Ways to Reduce Your Stress Now!

Taking control.

Remaining passive, thinking there is nothing I can do about my situations, makes your stress worse. Remember, there is a solution to every problem. That feeling of being unable to control your life problems is a leading cause of stress and anxiety.

Taking control is empowering; it is part of finding the solutions to your problems. The solutions need to help you, not someone else. Identify and write down your options, choose the best option, and accept the outcome, even if it is not what you expected.

Socialising with people.

We all need a network of people to talk to, friends, family, colleagues. Talking to these people helps put a different perspective on things.  Socialising and connect with people gives us a network of people that can help us when low. We can do activities with them have fun and laugh, which will help us relax and relieve our stress.

Talking with our support network helps you find solutions to your issues.

Taking some time for yourself.

Having “ME time” is essential; working in the UK, we have the longest working hours in Europe. Therefore, we are unlikely to spend as much time on the things we enjoy. We all need to take time to relax, exercise, and socialise away from work. Organising two nights a week for yourself gives you a better chance of work and personal life balance.

Take on challenges.

It is a good idea to continue learning throughout your life.  This could be in work or outside, make them relatively challenging like learning a new language, new sport, or other hobbies. You will start to feel more confident, helping your stress.

Making continued learning part of your routine, you become more resilient and are less likely to sit and watch telly for hours; you are more likely to want to do things.

Be active.

Being active can also help your stress. This can be going to the gym for a workout, but it can also be gentle walks or a keep fit routine at home. Exercise helps take your mind off your worries, so you can deal with your situations calmly.

Healthy diet and habits.

Drinking alcohol or caffeine, and smoking is not good for you, they are just ways of coping and avoiding the problems.

Men are more likely to use these to relieve their symptoms temporarily than women. Women are far more likely to talk to their friends.

You need to find the cause of the problems causing your stress.

Help others.

It has been proven that “volunteering” and community work makes us happier and more resilient.

By helping people whose situations may be worse than your own, helps you put yours into perspective. If you have a busy schedule and cannot commit to volunteering for a group, look for ways to do someone a favour daily.  These can be little things, holding the door open, treating someone to a coffee.

Work smarter, not harder.

Prioritising your day and workload, complete the tasks that will make a difference first.

You may need to accept your email inbox or your in-tray will not be empty at the end of the day, taking away the pressure of clearing all your tasks, can make you feel less stressed.  Having regular breaks, even for five minutes to take some deep breaths, you will be amazed how shallow you breathe when under pressure. You will then be able to focus more.

Be positive.

Appreciate what you have, be the glass half full person. Look for the good in people and life, find those “silver linings”.

Write down three things you are grateful for or went well for you each evening.

Accept what you cannot change.

Situations in your life are not always possible to change. Putting all your focus on these will not help your stress or anxiety. Look at ways of changing the things you can control.

How many of us complain about the weather, we cannot change it; therefore, we have to accept it, either cancel our plans or make the most of them in the rain. Getting stressed and continuing to moan about it does not help anyone.

The other thing to remember is you cannot change people, you can only change your reaction to them or your perspective.

5 Tips to Stay Positive

The philosopher Marcus Aurelius quoted “Our life is what our thoughts make it” Many others have written similar quotes since.

Do you always look for the problem, or do you look for a solution?

Are you a glass half empty or half full person?

Many studies have shown the benefits of being a positive thinker, mainly a much lower risk of dying from death’s main causes. 

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Various types of Cancer
  • Infection
  • Respiratory diseases

I am not going into detail on the above diseases, there is loads of information on the internet to read.

Other benefits of being positive from studies are: –

  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased energy levels
  • Improved psychological and physical health.
  • Quicker recovery from injury and illness
  • Fewer colds
  • Less chance of depression and anxiety
  • Improved management of stress and being more resilient.
  • Living a healthier longer life.

Thinking Positively

Focus on the happy times.

In life, we all have good and bad memories.  To stay positive, we need to focus on finding the silver lining of the situation. When an event is cancelled, don’t take it personally, think about an activity you can do instead that you enjoy.

Gratitude

Keeping a gratitude journal, or any other way of practising gratitude has been proven to reduce stress, increase self-esteem and resilience, to help you cope when life throws you difficult times. Write of think of people and all the situations and things you find comfort or happiness with. Do this once a day, it can be part of meditation too. The list can be simple things like thanking a person for helping you, the love you receive from your pets, the joy of your garden.

Laughter

Laughing lowers stress, anxiety, depression, as well as improving your mood and self-esteem.  When things are hard to find the funny side and laugh, I am sure many of you have experienced this when in a group, how laughing instantly changes the mood and the situation becomes easier.

Positive people

Positivity is as contagious as negativity. Therefore, consider spending time with positive people. It has been said you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Positive Self-Talk

We are our own worst enemies; we talk to ourselves in ways we would not consider talking to others. You need to become aware of this talk and change the negative statements immediately with a positive one.  There are also phrases and words we should try to avoid, “I can’t”, “Should”, “problem”, “if”, “just”, “if only”, “but”, “someday”, “why me”, “I don’t know” are some, read a blog post here for 21 words and Phrases.

Want help in finding ways to quiet your negative self-talk, email Rosemary@soul-essence.com