Personal Development and Self Improvement» health

Express Your Gratitude to Improve Your Health

blogadmin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:22:31 +0000

Photo by deepwarrenEmotions can bottle up inside you, but you don’t have to let them. You can master your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and learn to let them out in positive ways, so they don’t cause you stress and harm.

One of the best ways to improve your health and handle your emotions is by expressing your gratitude. Yes, really!

Ask yourself: What are you thankful for? Who matters in your life? Even when life may not be going as planned, there are still many things to be grateful for.

Give Your Gratitude Away

No matter how much you appreciate someone in your life, that person may not have any idea about how you feel. Rather than just assume they know your thoughts and feelings, go ahead and speak up. Tell them how you really feel and what’s in your heart.

See the smile? It feels good, doesn’t it? When you smile back, laugh, and even share tears of joy and love, it helps your heart, mind, and body thrive. It releases a flood of chemicals that your body just loves. It’s a “feel-good” thing to do. That’s true for both you and the receiver of your gratitude.

Maybe you’re grateful for something you have, as opposed to a person. Did you ever think about sending a thankful message to the company that makes the products you love? They probably hear all about customer complaints, but how much gratitude do they get for the work they’ve done to make lives better or more convenient? Give them some of your gratitude and you’ll spread joy all around!

Ways to Show Your Gratitude

Showing gratitude is something you can do quite easily and all it costs you is a little bit of time and effort.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Tell your loved ones you care for them.

Hug a friend who’s hurting.

Smile at a stranger.

Write to a company whose product or service you really love.

Make time to listen to someone who needs to talk.

Spend some time out in nature, appreciating the beauty of creation.

Volunteer your services or help someone in need.

You can also show your gratitude just for being alive by treating others well and being kind to yourself. Relaxing and taking time to unwind from the stress of everyday life is very important, and you’ll be happier and healthier because of it.

Focus on What Really Matters

Many people are unhappy with their circumstances, and it’s often because they feel they don’t have enough money, a big house, or the ultimate car. These things are nice, but in the grand scheme of things, they don’t really matter. After all, when you’re on your deathbed, will you wish you had that red Ferrari? Or will you wish that you had more time with your loved ones?

Connect with what really matters by being grateful for all you’ve been given.

There will be obstacles and stumbling blocks in life, but there is joy all around you as well. When you tap into that joy, keep a positive attitude, and show how grateful you are, you’ll prove that you’re able to let go of unnecessary baggage. It’s a great feeling, and one that you can give yourself, today, right now. What a wonderful thing to be grateful for!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My body deserves to be nourished and satisfied with healthy fuels.

blogadmin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:22:35 +0000

Photo by avlxyzI take care of my body because it is the only one I have. As a gift from my Creator, my body deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

I am the only person accountable for what goes into my body. I take that responsibility very seriously because I want to keep it nourished and satisfied in order to be able to enjoy all other areas of life.

I eat balanced meals every day that supply my body all the nutrients it needs to function well. I follow the guidelines of what a person my age should eat. I actively research the latest information from health professionals on foods.

I choose foods that are free from pesticides and preservatives in order to keep my body clean. Before I eat, I always wash my fruits and vegetables carefully.

Daily, I reap the rewards of a healthy lifestyle through renewed strength and energy. When I practice healthy habits, I feel alive, alert, and happy.

Although I enjoy food, I eat only as a necessity of living. I stay away from unhealthy social eating. My mind is strong enough for me to make dietary changes to improve my overall well-being.

When I fill up with healthy fuel, my engine runs smoothly. I enjoy the expedition of life much more when my vehicle is in good repair.

Today, I choose fuels that are healthy and I keep my body running smoothly because I am worth it.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What do I feed my body?
2. What are the rewards of living a healthy lifestyle?
3. Am I making wise food choices so I can enjoy a healthier life?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My life is full of joy, health, and happiness.

blogadmin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:09:42 +0000

Photo by tapperboyMy life is filled with everything good. Inside my heart there is an overabundance of positive emotions. When I think about my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all my blessings. True joy is the result of a grateful heart.

There are innumerable sources of joy in my life. My family and friends are the most precious gifts I have ever received. The unconditional love that I experience with them, especially in times of need, fill my heart with joy.

My joy is contagious and constant. I choose to rejoice in every circumstance. I am filled with joy because I focus on the good things and give thanks for my life.

The quality of my life matters; therefore I strive to live the best life I can. My goal is not merely to survive, but to live out the plan that has been set before me.

I practice healthy habits in order to enjoy good health. Good health improves my stamina and my ability to enjoy life. When I feel good physically, I feel good emotionally.

Everywhere I look, I see a new source of happiness. I pay attention to the little details that make life great.

Each day, I aim to share a deep laugh with someone. I allow myself to release my inhibitions, throw my head back, and laugh like a child. I surround myself with happy people in order to keep the feeling alive.

Today, I choose to look at life through appreciative eyes that focus on the small things that bring me joy, health, and happiness.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What are my sources of joy?
2. How do I take care of my body?
3. What am I grateful for today?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How Meditation Can Improve Your Health

blogadmin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Photo by cosmonautirussiThe most common image of meditation is one of a monk in a religious experience. However, meditation is actually a practice that anyone can do to improve mind function and overall health.

Meditation has been proven to reduce stress levels and it can even help with conditions such as high blood pressure. Once you’ve become more calm and peaceful through meditation, your life will open up to more opportunities and you’ll find it easier to make healthy choices.

What Exactly Is Meditation?

Meditation is a way of clearing the mind. Once you’ve gotten into a habit of meditating often, you’ll discover that it’s easier than you think.

Some people sit in a cross-legged position when they meditate, but this isn’t mandatory. Another sitting position might be more comfortable for you, but the key is to maintain a good posture. If you slouch, you’re more likely to get tired and feel like falling asleep.

To get started, find a quiet place and get comfortable. Then start taking deep breaths in and out. Pay attention to your breath. You might find it helpful to say a “mantra” to yourself as you breathe in and out. Your goal is to keep your mind clear of thoughts.

Thoughts are inevitable though. The best way to eliminate them is to recognize that you’ve had a thought and then focus on your breathing and clearing your mind again. This will get easier with frequent practice.

Stress Free

When you focus on breathing and clearing your mind, you’re actually centered on the present moment. On the other hand, stress arises when you think about something in the past or future.

Since you have little stress when you have a clear mind in the present moment, you exude calmness. When you practice this often, you can bring a calm, stress-free demeanor to your everyday life.

Stress And The Body

When you feel stressed, you put your body into overdrive. When it’s overworked, it’s more open to various diseases and disorders. Stress exists for a reason; you need to have the hormonal adrenalin rush and increased breathing and heart rate in order to escape threatening situations. It’s simply how you’re able to handle threats.

By always having your mind on past or future stressors, you keep your mind and body in a stressful state even when you aren’t enduring a stressful situation in the present. This is exactly why it’s important to give your body a much needed break from all the stress. When you learn to meditate often, you’re giving your body the energy and rest it needs to stave off exhaustion and disease.

Improving Your Health

The absence of overwhelming stress improves your health in many ways. You’ll likely enjoy lower blood pressure and a strengthened immune system. Stress can also lead to mental disorders, so when you strive to be stress-free, you’ll keep anxiety and depression away as well.

When you meditate, you place your body in a kind of sleep state. You’re still awake, but your body can begin to repair itself in the same way that it does when you sleep. If you meditate in the morning or at night, you can help yourself transition from sleeping to wakefulness and vice versa.

Meditation is the ultimate exercise for a healthy mind and body. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated once you’ve given it a try. Who knew that “just sitting” could be so helpful!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I am worthy of daily relaxation and rejuvenation.

blogadmin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:42:29 +0000

I am important and valuable – to myself, my loved ones, my co-workers, and my Creator. Therefore, it is imperative that I take care of myself mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Photo by lecatesSpending time on myself enables me to be the best I can be.

Each day I take time to relax. Generally, any activity that I enjoy does the trick. Sometimes I choose fun activities with my family or friends, while other times I prefer solitary hobbies where I can be alone with my thoughts to sort them out in my own way.

When time is short, just a few moments in a warm, fragrant bath lets me escape my worries and frustrations and I emerge refreshed with new energy. At work, I can take a break and go for a short walk, letting the fresh air and exercise rejuvenate me.

I also take time to exercise every day. Exercise lets me release my stress and produces endorphins that make me feel good all over. When I finish my exercise session, I am relaxed, energized, and ready to take on the world!

Taking care of myself gives me the health, energy, and passion to do a good job at work and still have plenty of inner resources left over to take care of my family.

It reinforces my self-esteem to know I am taking time for me because I am important.

Today, I plan to take time just for me to relax and rejuvenate my body, mind, and soul.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I take time every day for myself?
2. When was the last time I did something just because I wanted to?
3. Where can I add time for exercising into my schedule?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.