12 MONTHS TO A HEALTHIER YOU (MONTH 10)
12 Months to a Healthier You: Month 10, The Power of Positive Thoughts
Author: Dr Anne Zauderer
Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
Chinese Proverb
This quote is one of my favorites. So much of who we are (whether we know it or not) is rooted in what we think about ourselves. Our thoughts have the power to dictate our mood, our perspective and our health.
Many people let others or the world choose what they think about themselves. Thoughts trickle into our minds from social media, magazines, articles and news stories. We are told we aren’t good enough, aren’t skinny enough, aren’t working hard enough, don’t have enough “things”, don’t have a big enough house, aren’t a good enough mom/dad/wife/husband/friend…the list could go on and on. We believe the standard for happiness is dictated by an external source, leaving us always short of achieving that standard, which was unattainable from the beginning. True happiness begins when you let go of what the world tells you to be, and you look within to what you believe your true potential is. This process starts with the thoughts you put in your head.
I know a lot of people who spend time at the gym, take supplements, eat organic foods and yet have a stream of negative, toxic thoughts running through their heads. We don’t think of this as poisoning our bodies, yet research shows negative thoughts can have a negative impact on your health. Stress associated with negative thinking has been connected with hormonal imbalances, dysregulation of neurotransmitters, cardiovascular disease, genetic health, GI disorders, headaches, and much more1! What is most concerning is that most people aren’t aware of the thoughts they are having and how those thoughts are impacting them.
For the next 30 days, my challenge to you is to become aware of your thoughts and to replace negative ones with positive ones. When you find yourself disparaging yourself or others, stop, and switch that thought around to something positive. Even if you have to fake it until you make it, just give it a try. See how your perspective on the world changes. See how much better you can connect with those around you and connect with new ideas. Consider that maybe, just maybe, negative thinking is keeping you from being the best version of yourself.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Marianne Williamson
- Shrivastava R. ://www.cognitivehealing.com/personal-growth/how-thoughts-affect-mind-and-body/
