As mentioned in the last blog, your cognitive or mental outlook greatly affects your physical health. Therefore, it is imperative that you take care of your mental health with mental self care activities. Over the years I have seen the effects of negative thinking on health in patients. Those that had hopeful and positive outlooks tended to recover and be discharged sooner than those with a negative outlook. This is one of the main reasons I chose to study naturopathy, as I tried to assist my patients with positive thinking and realised there was a better and more holistic way to help people achieve this.
Step one of mental self care is to develop an awareness of your thoughts: what is the general tone of your thoughts? Do you have what you would perceive to be negative thoughts? Are you overly concerned with events in the past or future? What is your self talk like?
Step two is to work on your thought content: this can be achieved with affirmations, mindfulness meditations or gratitude journaling. Louise L. Hay states 'that our thoughts are creating our future'. Our thoughts create a vibration around us that the universe responds to. When examining my own thoughts I find I can be concerned with what others think of me. Therefore, one of my favourite affirmations at the moment is "I am beautiful and everybody loves me". As when I release that fearful thought of others not accepting me I find I can be more genuine in my relationships with others. If you find yourself constantly worrying about the future a vision board may be an appropriate tool to use to signify to the universe your intentions for the future. This board contains images or words that when seen every day change the subconscious mind to invoke more positive changes rather than focusing on negative possibilities that the universe may interpret as what you are invoking. Another great author to check out ia Eckhart Tolle as he teaches us to be free from the enslavement of the human mind and to be conscious and aware of the present moment. Key to working on your thoughts is to understand that your thoughts do not define you. As Eckhart Tolle states 'To realize that you are not your thoughts is when you begin to awaken spiritually.'
Step three is to fill your mind with that which enlivens your soul: what activities can you bring into your life that enliven your soul? Do you have a favourite book or topic you enjoy learning about? Is there a podcast that interests you or a particularly challenging board game you enjoy playing with the family? These activities keep the mind sharp and prevent cognitive diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's.
Hope you are all taking good care of your thoughts and manifesting positive outcomes for your futures.
Love and light,
Branwen
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