Peace in the Midst of Turmoil: A Positive Mindset
I am at my best when I am spiritually grounded. Sometimes this is a difficult place to be, especially when anxious or fearful. After many years of being quite critical of myself over this short coming, I realized that it is ok. I can simply acknowledge I am in a fear or anxiety place. That realization alone helps relieve some of the stress. I can also say a simple prayer, asking for relief from this feeling and for help to focus on something else. Positive affirmations also help a great deal, and I can replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regular exercise is essential for both my physical and emotional wellbeing. Exercise helps relieve pain and releases good hormones like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. These hormones, along with other neurotransmitters, help regulate the heart, breathing, and digestion. They also play a significant role in stabilizing mental health. If you are like me and struggle with some physical limitations or pain, the thought of exercising seems counterproductive, maybe even repulsive. I find that alternating types of exercise has helped overcome my aversion to it and that instead of avoiding it, I actually look forward to my walks or yoga. I also find that I need less pain medication when I am able to exercise on a regular basis. One tip: I let go of the ridiculous perfectionistic notion that I have to be a world-renowned Olympic athlete, and I pat myself on the back for simply making it around the block! Other stress reducing techniques include:
• prayer and meditation• listening to my favorite music• making time to be alone• reading a good book, or writing• watching an uplifting movie or series• having coffee with a friend• fingerpainting with my grandkids• taking my dog to the dog park• singing a favorite song• going for a drive• looking for beauty• eating right • visualizing good memories• visualizing peacefulness• practice deep breathing• yoga• laughter• calling an old friend
• prayer and meditation• listening to my favorite music• making time to be alone• reading a good book, or writing• watching an uplifting movie or series• having coffee with a friend• fingerpainting with my grandkids• taking my dog to the dog park• singing a favorite song• going for a drive• looking for beauty• eating right • visualizing good memories• visualizing peacefulness• practice deep breathing• yoga• laughter• calling an old friend
"BEING NEGATIVE ONLY MAKES THE JOURNEY MORE DIFFICULT. YOU MAY BE GIVEN A CACTUS BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIT ON IT. " - JOYCE MEYER
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A butterfly will never fly if it avoids the struggle of metamorphosis and exiting his cocoon. It is the struggle of leaving the cocoon where fluid is squeezed out of the body and limbs, and the butterfly becomes light enough to fly. If we interfere with this process, we interrupt the transformation, and the creature never really evolves into the butterfly. Likewise, we may never know how our struggles are working to better us, but behind every strong person is the struggle that made them that way. The trick is not to hate the struggle, but to embrace it as part of our process.