You are here: Home / Archives for Health and Wellness

Is Your Attitude Making You Sick?

January 6, 2009 by

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Some people see the glass as half empty or half full. When something bad happens, pessimists tend to blame themselves. They can go on and on about the event and before they know it, the “negativity” transfers to other areas of the their lives.

Optimists are total opposites. They will not blame themselves and expect minor consequences for a short period of time. Whatever “bad” thing happened, it will not affect other parts of their lives. They will “bounce” back and take steps to move forward from the experience.

Being a pessimist or optimist can affect your health. Christopher Peterson, Ph.D, a researcher at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, says “pessimists end up being sick more days in any given month than their more optimistic counterparts.” Pessimists go to the doctor more frequently than optimists because their IgA levels decrease which makes them more susceptible to catching colds and the flu!

Pessimist Checklist

  1. Listen to doom and gloom speak of family, friends, and the media.
  2. Blame themselves for everything that is wrong in their lives.
  3. Dwell on past and present mistakes.
  4. Constantly focus on everything that is wrong in their life.
  5. Moody.
  6. Focus on things that are out of your control.

Optimist Checklist

  1. Focuses on the present.
  2. Recovers from setbacks in a quick manner.
  3. Sees the glass as half full.
  4. Does not dwell on mistakes; learns from them and moves forward with their life.
  5. Visualize themselves as being a success.
  6. Vent to family and friends; do not hold onto feelings of anger or sadness.

The above checklists are just some examples of being a pessimist or optimist. If you’re not sure which one you are, you may want to ask your family and friends. You’ll be able to tell by the look on their faces!

If you tend to lean towards pessimism try a few of these techniques:

  1. Laugh.
  2. Control what you can and let go of the rest.
  3. Give yourself a “pat” on the back when you experience success.
  4. Smile everyday.
  5. Stop hanging out with the “Debbie or Doug Downers.” You can find other friends. If these people are family members, limit your time that you spend with them.

It’s time to take control of your life. Each year, many people make New Year’s resolutions that last until the beginning of February. Make the decision to change your attitude today because your health may depend on it tomorrow!

Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Personal Development Tagged With:

Man Discovers 4 Golden Ways to Control the Mind

November 7, 2008 by

There are many books on the Law of Attraction. It all started with a little book called The Secret. Since the book and DVD came out, there have been many other books to pop-up in bookstores everywhere. This is not a new topic. Many people such as Napoleon Hill, Charles Haanel, and others wrote about the same topic approximately 70 years ago!

The world can be a topsy-turvy place to live, especially for those who feel they’ve been dropped onto planet Earth! With so much that happens in our lives on a daily basis, it’s no wonder the world is so chaotic. If it’s true that thoughts become things and we are all part of the collective consciousness, it’s no wonder that we’ve become disconnected from one another.

Each of us has their own life to lead, but the decisions we make effect all of mankind. It’s the simple law known as cause and effect which states that the “universe is energy and everything is connected.” Remember that old saying, “you get what you give out.”

Controlling ones thoughts, henceforth, mind control can be done. Learn to use your intellect versus your emotions; you’ll be better off when the time comes to make decisions in your life.

4 Golden Rules of Mind Control

  1. Meditate. Did you know that meditating for 15 minutes each day can do wonders for your mind, body, and spirit? This is a great way to gain clarity.
  2. Do yoga. This ancient practice can help you to reclaim your mind. It will help you to align your body with your spirit. Practicing yoga will strengthen your core muscles and allow you to re-center yourself.
  3. Take responsibility for your thoughts. This can be difficult at first, especially when the average person thinks thousands of thoughts per day. Notice what you’re thinking at any given moment. Are the thoughts positive or negative? Do they revolve around family, work, finances, society, or friends? You may want to hire a life coach to help you to get to the root of issues in your life.
  4. Practice deep breathing exercises. These can be done while sitting down or standing up. Cleansing breaths are proven to be effective to aid in the flow of blood, increases digestion, improves the health of the nervous system, and much more!

    The next time you go to the grocery store — smile at everyone you see while thinking of a happy thought; it could be of a vacation you took, your kids, the fact that you just received a raise; anything that makes you feel happy. Observe peoples reaction to you. You may be surprised on how pleasant people can be.

    The next day, go somewhere else and do the opposite, be in a bad mood but not nasty! Watch how people react to you. You’ll be amazed at the results. After you do this test, make sure to clear your energy. This is why meditating and deep breathing exercises are very useful. Also, drink plenty of water. Many people believe that water is a good way to rid the body of toxins such as negative energy – it’s not just for flushing the fat out of your system!

    We do have the power to choose our thoughts on a daily basis. People often seek the answer to happiness. The answer is this: just be happy — choose to be happy. It’s that simple. You have a choice to be either happy or sad.

    Sometimes, we create unnecessary dramas in our lives that would give William Shakespeare a run for his money. Many people do this because it makes them feel alive. Others do it because it’s what they’ve been doing — it’s what is familiar and comfortable. Make the decision today to gain control over your mind, tomorrow live a better life!

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With:

Break Free From the Chokehold of Domestic Violence

August 18, 2008 by

Domestic violence. Night after night, the yelling and swearing coming from the apartment next door has become unbearable. Why does the woman on the other side of the wall stay with this man? A man who punches the wall, yells, and stomps the floor like a spoiled child that does not get his way.

Why do women stay with men who abuse them? Is it because they feel they are worthless? Do they have nowhere else to go? Are they dependent upon the men to support them financially? These are not good excuses for women to stay with men who treat them like garbage or property.

Domestic violence can be found cities and suburbs across the country. Do not be fooled and believe that abuse does not happen even in the wealthiest of cities or suburbs because it does. The facade of a luxurious apartment community can only work for so long. The walls have ears and the people on the other side may pickup the phone and dial 911!

If you are in a domestic violence situation, pickup the phone or find a shelter! Get out today in order to have a better future tomorrow. You are worth it! Take control of your life and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Also visit Bank Rate (to learn about the impact of financial abuse in domestic violence relationships) and Medicine Plus.

Filed Under: Personal Development, Relationships Tagged With: ,

3 Ways to Stand in Your Power

August 7, 2008 by

According to best-selling author Debbie Ford “when we’re stuck in the pattern of people-pleasing, we do not have access to making clear choices. We are driven to fulfill others’ needs in order to be loved. In order to stand in our power, we must have the option of saying no. We have to be willing to give up the need for others’ approval and give up our need to make others happy. The truth is that not everyone will like us and it’s not our job to make others happy — just as it isn’t the job of others to make us happy.”

“It’s so easy to give our power away to oblige our partners or console our families. But if the choices we make rob us of too much of our private time, if they deprive us of our joy or our inner peace or prevent us from expressing our creative gifts, then ultimately they are violations we are perpetrating against our own souls. These violations do not affect just us in negative ways they affect all those around us.”

Stand in Your Power

  1. Do not forsake your own needs for another! Caring for another is different from pleasing another. When you genuinely care for someone, your actions take no effort. Pleasing another is giving your power away to that person. You do not feel good about your actions; resentment settles upon you. In order to care for another, you must care for yourself first!
  2. Make waves and speak your mind. Napoleon Hill said “opinions are the cheapest commodities on earth.” You have a right to speak your mind. Do not stay silent. Your thoughts and ideas can make a great contribution to society. Who knows, you may have the solution to a problem that a family, friend, or employer has been waiting for!
  3. Let go of guilt, feeling obligated, and the words “should and have.” Guilt can eat at you and cause tremendous stress. If you are going to help another, do so because you want to be of service. Feeling obligated to do something will not serve you or another!

In conclusion, ask yourself if you are standing in your power or trying to please another. Reclaim your power and life today! Parents, grandparents, former teachers, and others mean well, but do not realize how their words and actions will impact your adult life. Let go of old beliefs that you picked up from childhood which are not serving you today. As an adult, you have the right to change your thoughts, beliefs, and life. Live in the now and leave the past in the past!

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »