The Power of the Mind - 7 Ways to Be Happier

The Power of the Mind - 7 Ways to Be Happier

A large part of wellness comes from emotional wellbeing and balance, which in turn, result in happiness. Although we usually separate and compartmentalise the physical and the emotional, one very important point that you should always remember is that each and every one of your thoughts is often accompanied by a physical reaction in the body; noticeable or not. So our physical and emotional health are very much linked to each other.

When you think negative thoughts and feel negative emotions, the body, more often than not, will also produce a negative reaction. The same also applies to positive thoughts. Let’s take two examples: a positive and a negative one. When you are in love, you have endless energy and you get butterflies in your stomach each time you think about the object of your affection. On the other hand, when you are afraid of something, for example public speaking, the mere thought of it might result in difficulty breathing, a headache or even shaking and sweating.

There is a quote from author and speaker Robin Sharma - “Everything is always created twice, first in the mind and then in reality”. Whether it is in the mind or is actually happening is immaterial to your body. The physical reactions are very real regardless of whether you are simply thinking about it or actually going through it. This indicates the power and influence of our thoughts. We have around 30,000 thoughts daily. If they are uncontrolled and negative, we will experience negative physical reactions and get tired, sluggish and sick over time. The reason is that negative thoughts are like dark sunglasses: you see everything dark and start to hear, see and feel only the things that support your world view. You are and become what you think - Your thoughts trigger your pituitary gland, the master endocrine gland, which triggers the rest of your endocrine system creating the emotional and physical reaction that you feel.

Some of you may be thinking “But I can’t help what I think or how I feel”. Well, it may not be the easiest thing to do but you actually have a great deal of influence on where your thoughts go. All it takes is a little ‘reprogramming’ of sorts.

BELOW ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU OUT:

1. Awareness: Be aware what you are thinking and unmask repetitive thoughts and limiting beliefs. Question them. Get to the root of them and let them go.

2. Be grateful: Focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have.

3. Mantra: Keep telling yourself that you want to only think and speak well of others (and yourself).

4. Assess options: If something is bothering you, ask yourself if you can change it. If yes - go ahead and do it. If not – accept it and let go.

5. Unmask the dragon: Ask yourself – what’s the worst that could happen? This should confront and allay your fears.

6. Zoom out: See the big picture. You only have one life – enjoy it as much as you can and don’t sweat (literally!) the small hiccups in your daily life. Find your higher purpose – the reason you are here.

7. Enjoy the present moment as much as possible. Look for the silver lining in everything.

Positive thoughts and a positive outlook will lead to a happier life. You only live once so don’t waste it by moping around focusing on the negative. Think happy thoughts and get out there and live!

Written by: Carina Lipold, Edited by Hani Gurung Khausar