Have you ever stopped to think about your attitude in a given situation. Then tried to change the course of it by changing your attitude towards that situation? I read the following recently in a health article published by the Boston Medical Center. It is part of an ongoing program of health related information to employees of the company I work for. I'd like to share a bit of this with you as it has some very good tips.
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This practice of changing the way we think about situations is called “cognitive restructuring.” It involves examining initial feelings and if they are negative and/or irrational, replacing them with thoughts that are more constructive.
And how do you make these changes? How to put this into practice? The next time you find yourself responding negatively to a situation, ask yourself a couple of questions: Am I being rational? Is this a realistic way of looking at this issue?
Increase your self-confidence. Successful change starts with believing we can do it! That’s self-confidence. One way we can develop self-confidence is to draw on our personal experiences for examples of success. Surely you can look to other parts of your life for positive changes you’ve made in the face of challenges. You’ve held down a tough job, raised children, earned a degree, or battled a serious disease. All these teach us ways to overcome obstacles and succeed.
Learn positive self-talk. Many who are successful at weight management use positive self-talk to keep their attitude up. Self-talk is mental dialogue that we have with ourselves to stay on track. When you're feeling discouraged or run-down, try the following phrases:
• "I'm getting healthier every day."
• "I'm a good person, and the changes I’m making will improve my life."
• "I may make mistakes along the way, but I know how to learn from them and make fewer mistakes in the future."
Avoid negative self-talk. Negative self-talk can undermine your efforts. For example, just because you don’t adhere perfectly to a plan is no reason to give it all up. Also, thinking you’re all on your own in a battle is another.
Positive thinking helps you live longer! Positive thinking helps you make important changes in your life that will make you live longer and better lives. Scientists are also discovering that the act of thinking positively is itself associated with longevity.
In a new study published by the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that people who have more activity in the left side of the brain - brought about by feelings such as enthusiasm and optimism - have a stronger immune response.
By contrast, activating certain brain regions associated with negative emotions appears to weaken a person’s immune response. The study’s authors say stress appears to interfere with the brain’s ability to communicate with certain types of immune cells.
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The article provides some actions you can take;
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Don't laugh at these suggestions. They may sound corny, but following them allows you to make positivity a new "habit."
• Write down your original reasons for beginning. Read them often to remind yourself why this is important to you.
• At least once a day, take time to smile at yourself in the mirror. Focus on your body’s strength, and your courage and resilience in beginning and continuing to improve yourself. Value the strong and courageous person you are!
• Select several positive phrases, and repeat them to yourself or out loud. Say them when you first wake up, while driving, or close your eyes at home and repeat them out loud to yourself.
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“The greatest revolution in our generation is that of human beings, who by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” -Marilyn Ferguson
You can make a change in your attitude, just stop what you are doing, think about what it is you are doing and then change what you are doing.
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