WHEN SEEKING/MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH, several factors come into play: nutrition, physical/emotional/mental/spiritual state, lifestyle – even your world view (and much more*) – contribute to your good health or lack of it. There are so many contributing factors to a person’s well-being that the journey to restore health is overwhelming to some. They just don’t know how/where to begin. So they don’t even start.
*Other contributing factors (not inclusive) are the environment, your stress level, genetics, learned beliefs, fears, etc.)
MOST PEOPLE ARE CLUELESS that the most important factor in the degree of health you experience is the content of your thoughts. This is so important that it bears repeating:
The content of your thoughts is the most significant factor in determining your state of health!
TAKE TIME TO NOTICE what you tell yourself today. Do your thoughts range somewhere in the form of:
- I am not as strong/coordinated/flexible/attractive, etc. as I used to be.
- My memory isn’t what it used to be.
- My hair is thinning! Look how grey it is! I am getting old!
- @#&X@! Look at these wrinkles on my face!
- My skin is getting flabby.
- My boobs are too small/big/floppy.
- I am damaged goods. No one will want me.
- I’ve got those “old lady flaps” on my triceps.
- My feet/nose/face/ears, etc is/are ugly.
- I have no energy. I am so tired!
I could go on, but you get the point. These are all negative declarations that we commonly tell about our body.
DO YOU EVER look in the mirror and say to yourself anything positive? What about
- Your look FABULOUS today!
- You have the best smile!
- I am so proud of you!
- Nice teeth! (Or nose/eyes/hair/chin/smile/posture…. etc.)
- You are so handsome/beautiful/clever/smart/elegant…etc.!
Most of us were raised not to do this. I know I was. It was frowned upon to appreciate our individual gifts, looks, and other qualities of personal merit.
HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS, the gold nugget, the secret code to regaining and maintaining good health.
Your thoughts are 100% under your control.
Dr. Wayne Dyer is quoted as saying “Change your thoughts, change your life.” I have found this to be an effective way to cause a shift in myself. I have used this advice for everything from weight loss to repairing broken relationships, to uplifting myself from suicidal depression*.
CONSIDER DISCIPLINING YOUR THOUGHTS as your first line of action if you want to shift something about your health, especially if you don’t have the finances to hire a personal trainer, the time to cook healthy foods or exercise, or the motivation to seek support. This is an alternative option that is free. It asks little more than developing an awareness of your negative self-talk, and the willingness and diligence to change it to a positive conversation.
Even if you are taking other steps – counseling, personal trainers, working out regularly and eating healthfully, minimizing daily stress, etc., shifting to a positive mindset is the most important first step.
*Note: Some levels of depression are so deep that assistance in the form of therapy or pharmaceuticals are necessary to lift us to the point where we can remember how to think positively.