Good health is not just the absence of illness and disease. And, it’s also not just getting physical activity each day and eating a balanced diet. It also includes how we think about things; our mental health.
What about negative feelings? Are you struggling with a partner, friend, family member, or another relationship, or situation? What helps you cope with life’s disappointments, hurt, or regrets? Negative thinking manifests in physical stress and may lead some to using mood enhancing substances, anti-depressants, or cause emotional eating, or other physical dis-ease.
Do you compare yourself with others? Most of us do; it’s just natural. Doing so can either help or hurt you. Comparing yourself to others’ and their situations might help to inspire you or let you see other paths or options for your choices. If comparing yourself to others affects you in a positive way, great, allow it. However, if comparing yourself to others, including comparing your children to other’s children, other families’ situations, and thinking less of yourself or your spouse or children, that can’t serve you well at all. This is another form of negative thinking that can affect our good health.
So what can you do to turn yourself around? Here are 10 things to get you started.
1. Keep a gratitude journal. Strengthen your gratitude muscle by writing each day three things you are grateful for, and why. The why is the key and let’s you really go deeper.
2. Go complaint-free. Try going an hour without complaining and see the positive things in your life. Next, try a day, a week, and so on.
3. Say hello and smile when you pass someone on the street, walking path, or hallway at work. After all, you are two human beings in the same place at the same time in this world.
4. Give compliments freely. Notice the good in others. Praise every person you interact with.
5. Find beauty everywhere in your world. Notice its gorgeousness.
6. Share your good news. Studies show that sharing happy events brings even more happiness.
7. Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.
8. Get in touch with your feelings through meditation. A daily practice of listening to your breath will allow you to better understand your negative feelings. Let your feelings come, feel them, decide what to do with them, either getting help to heal with them, communicating with those involved, or letting them go through acceptance, and moving on.
9. Talk about your feelings with positive trusted friends or family members who will really listen, not judge, and will give you support and encouragement.
10. Take care of yourself by getting 7-8 hours of sleep on a regular schedule each night to help cope with daily challenges.