Start the New Year with a Better Thinking Brain

Dr. Daniel Amen, of the Amen Clinic, has written several books and done PBS specials on how changing our brain physically (with nutrition, exercise, and if necessary, drugs) has a direct impact on how we think and feel.  This article is a link to his step 3 of 7 ways to improve your brain function.  Step 3 is about killing the "ANT's" (Automatic Negative Thoughts) that run rampant in our mind.  Click here to read more

My Comments: I truly appreciate Dr. Amen's wholistic approach to brain health and emotional health! It is too easy to think we just need to suck it up or take a pill to feel better, often times ignoring the very real physical components of how our brain and body functions impact our emotions and thinking.

Automatic negative thoughts is something hypnosis works with all the time, in shifting what the automatic thoughts are, and helping people get out of stuck loops of a negative thoughts and responses to life events. In my practice I explain it as our minds get wired like juke boxes.   Remember those? As a result, when something happens in our daily life it is as if someone just pressed B7 or D29 and a whole automatic response is instantly fires off. This response not only includes thoughts, but feelings, and physical responses!

One of the things hypnosis is great at, is helping people to change their responses by changing these buttons. It isn't something I do to a client, but rather in a partnership of uncovering what the negative buttons are that causing issues, and disconnecting them or changing what response comes with them. Once the change is made it needs to be reinforced to become established and permanent. But then how long has the old negative buttons been running? It makes sense it could take a bit of time to cement in the new buttons.

Combining the power of hypnosis with other elements of wholistic health such as; nutrition, lifestyle, support networks, and more, creates a positive and powerful impact on people's life experiences.  This time of year, when resolutions and new choices are in the forefront of many people's minds, it a great time to begin looking at how to improve our brains, so that those new choices and resolutions can become a reality.

What can you do today?  Begin by monitoring your thoughts - keep an eye out for those "ANT's" and consciously choose a better thought = stamping out the ANT.  Spend even 5 minutes a day in a mini meditation, focusing on experiencing your life in a better way.  As you do this bring as many of your senses into play as possible.  See the changes you are desiring, feel it emotionally and physically, hear yourself responding in the new ways you would like.  Make it real!

To your best life,
Nancy
www.BirthYourDreams.com

From Surviving to Thriving

There is so much happening in the world that is negative, and all of it gets the spotlight in our news and media. It can truly feel like the sky is falling at times! Logically we know it can't really be all bad news - so how do we shift our attention off of the negative and build the positive? Is it really possible?

I believe it is not only possible it is imperative! Do you remember the story of the secret garden? Initially it looked dead, choaked by weeds and neglect. But with some attention and love it bloomed again. Our lives, just like nature, flow in cycles. Tho we don't get to choose what comes to us we can choose how we want to respond.

No matter how gray and dark things can become they can bloom again! It is possible to move from just surviving to thriving even if the outer circumstances stay the same. We all go through challenging times - the difference between those who thrive and those who survive (often barely) is outlook and choice. Choose to not let the world and it's woes, or even your woes, define who you are and how you are going to experience your life.

Here are 3 steps to help

1. Turn off the TV and radio news! On the internet - change your settings on your home page for positive fun things, and turn off the news slide show! Yes it really is possible. Get the headlines only (put them on the bottom of the page where you can look at them when you want to), and then only read what is really important for you to know.
2. Make a list of what increases happiness and joy for you - and then do at least 1 per day. It doesn't have to be fancy or costly. Maybe it is watching a beautiful sunset, taking a walk and noticing how spring is blooming all around, or spending time with a loved one (pets qualify!). Listen to upbeat music and sing along! It is hard to stay down or grumpy when you are singing. Research shows that singing even strenthens your immune system. It doesn't even have to be good singing!
3. Look for things to appreciate and be grateful for during your day. Then on your way to sleep at night think of at least 3 things you are grateful for. Again simple stuff. After a hard day, 1 of them could be that you get to go to sleep in your wonderful bed and let go of the day!

I want to challenge us all to make some new conscious choices. Are you up for the challenge? Practice these 3 steps for 1 - 2 weeks and notice what is happening in your life and world, and report them back here as a comment. The shifts may surprise you! After all what have you got to lose?