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3 Simple Ways to Gain Get a Healthier Perspective on Life

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Our Lives Move in the Direction of Our Strongest Thought

What are YOUR Strongest Thoughts??

Stress and anxiety are realities of life and, quite frankly they always have been! I think we tend to think of them as new discoveries when, if we’re being honest, they’ve been around as long as humans have.

One of the worst things about feeling stressed and anxious is the fact that the feeling robs you of the beauty of the here and now. But, it goes even beyond this. Feeling stressed and anxious causes you to feel so overwhelmed that you lose, to a certain degree, any interest in tomorrow. It’s as though the overly-taxed mind says, “If today feels this bad, I sure hate to see what tomorrow feels like!”

This is why it is so vitally important to be proactive about dealing with stress. One of the first steps you can take is to decide… “Today is the day!” I will (not may) bring perspective back to my life and into my world. I will (not may) focus more on the people and things that truly matter in my life. My well-being and their well-being are too important to lose sight of!”

When you make up your mind to gain more perspective in your life and bring more focus into your own personal world, even the sun will look a little brighter!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you bring everything into perspective:

What are My Strongest Thoughts?

See the polar bear at the top of the page? He carries with him a wonderful quote by Craig Groeschel: Our lives move in the direction of our strongest thoughts.

This is so incredibly true – it sort of fleshes out another great quote – You are what you think you are. Many people believe that, to a very real extent, we create our own destinies within our minds. While there are millions of other contributing factors, our tomorrows are absolutely touched by the things we think about and focus on today.

What thoughts do you return to again and again? If you’re quiet for 5 minutes, in which direction do your thoughts run? Before falling asleep at night, what (generally speaking) are your last thoughts? These are usually your strongest thoughts because you give them strength each time you entertain them.

If these litlte Hercules thoughts are negative or worrisome, they’re feeding negativity in your life and causing small problems to loom large. When you’re able to recognize these toxic thoughts for what they are, you can replace them with productive, positive thoughts. Try focusing on things you are thankful for, happy memories, things you like about yourself, or even things you’re planning to do that give you happiness, purpose, and peace of mind.

Are You Taking Care of Your Health?

When we’re feeling stressed or anxious, we often tend to lean toward unhealthy lifestyles and meals. Ask yourself if you’re making your health a priority. Are you eating too much junk food? Do you get fresh air daily? Do you enjoy nature and rekindle the wonders of feeling sunshine on your skin?

Are you eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and proteins?

How about your vitamin levels? When is the last time you had a complete checkup from your doctor? Very often, when our vitamins and minerals are off (even just a little off!), it affects every single corner of our life. If you haven’t had bloodwork done in over a year, please consider seeing your doctor. Your stress and anxiety may be attributed more to your body than to your circumstances.

We handle things better when we are better ABLE to handle them.

A nutritious diet is also vital to good health and to feeling like yourself. You need the nutrients that come from eating a healthy diet to fuel your brain and body to do great things.

Also, it’s easy to overlook but be sure you’re getting enough water too. Being even a little dehydrated can make you feel miserable physically and mentally.

Fresh air, daily activity, a balanced and healthy diet, and (when needed) daily supplements can help you more than you could ever realize.

Are You Staying in Contact with Loved Ones?

Stress and anxiety are relationship busters. Not because others avoid the person suffering from them but because, more times than not, the one feeling stressed avoids others. There is a tendency to hide away from others when one feels stressed out. Many people offer up reasons and they may or may not be spot on… but, personally, I think people tend to avoid others when they feel down simply because they feel like they can’t handle “anything else.”

When you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, you don’t want to put on a happy face or try to make your voice sound like you’re on top of the world when you feel like it’s on top of you.

While it’s easier to hide when you feel this way, it is of the utmost importance NOT to. You need your family and friends more than you may realize. Let them know how you feel – that you’re having a “bad day” (or week or month!). They want to help and, I’ll let you in on a secret, they may be feeling the same way! If that’s the case, you can help them by showing that it’s okay to admit when you need a lift.

Is Your Stress Controlling Your Life or Are You Controlling It?

This last question may seem overly simple but it is so vital. In fact, I want you to ask yourself these three questions routinely for a while until you’re able to HONESTLY give the answers you know you need to be able to give.

Please be proactive and take control of your stress and anxiety. Life is a big, beautiful place and I do not want you to miss a single moment. You deserve happiness and peace of mind and you deserve a healthy perspective on life. I hope and pray you will begin right this very minute creating everything in your world that you deserve. Don’t let stress or anxiety rob you of any more happiness and peace.


Helping Others: It’s Always the Right Time to Reach Out…

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It’s Always the Right Time to Reach Out and Help Others

While many things are returning to normal in many parts of the world, none of us are completely back to normal. In fact, for a lot of people, normal may look, sound, smell, and certainly feel different for quite a while.

Maybe forever.

Before you let that make you frown, realize that not all change is bad. In fact, some change can be a very good, positive thing.

What if we all come out of this pandemic more willing to reach out and help others than we have ever been willing before? What if the consideration and concern for our neighbors (very near and very far) that we’ve experienced and displayed lasts… well… forever?

I for one certainly hope so!

I have a great deal of correspondence with others through my e-mail and social media. I have noticed over the past year more of us are apt to sign off with things such as…

  • Stay Safe!
  • Be Well!
  • Best Wishes to You and Your Family!
  • Etc..

I also notice many greetings begin with..

  • I hope you’re well…
  • I hope you’re safe…
  • I hope you and your loved ones are well…

It didn’t used to be like this.

When I’m in stores and restaurants (still riding an emotional high that my favorite Mexican restaurant weathered this storm and is open for business!), I see people smiling at one another these days – the warm smiles aren’t just reserved for babies anymore! People seem to genuinely care for others post-pandemic than they did pre-pandemic and that’s something I very, very, VERY much sticks around.

Many people are struggling today – more, perhaps, than ever before. The pandemic introduced a lot of unpleasantness into our lives. Some unpleasantness we could SEE – lockdowns, less family visits, less income, arguments with family members who view the virus differently than we do, and a total upheaval in our daily lives. Other unpleasantnesses couldn’t be seen, but my goodness are they ever felt.

  • the anxiety that comes with coming face to face with your own vulnerability
  • stress from seeing, daily, others sick and suffering
  • being more aware of death than ever before… I mean, we were given daily numbers!
  • arguments within families due to more stress
  • broken relationships because of other’s views on the virus, masks, and vaccines

Make no mistake about it, this pandemic left its vile fingerprints on all of our lives.

It’s worth remembering that you don’t have to always be strong. You can cry when you darn well feel like crying! It’s okay to feel scared and I’m giving you permission to feel angry about the whole thing. Feel the emotions you want to feel and make no attempt to tell others how to deal with their feelings. We all cope differently and we all heal differently.

Finally, I’d love to encourage everyone to reach out and help others in any way possible. If you know someone who seems to have the weight of the world on their shoulders, either ask them what you can do to make the load lighter or (perhaps even better) step up and do something for them that helps lighten their load.

Ideas include mowing their lawn, giving them a gift card to their favorite restaurant (this way you help them and the restaurant), offering to watch their child/children while they treat themselves to a day out. Simply showing up to their house with a Starbucks drink for you and a Starbucks drink for them and sitting to talk with them for an hour may be just the tonic they (and you!) need.

Many are dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, and other emotional and mental strains right now. If you can be a blessing to someone, please don’t hesitate to do so. You may give them exactly what they needed to hang in there and keep fighting.

As a bonus, helping others makes you feel so good!

Stay strong, stay well, and stay safe. I truly care about each and every one of you. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Foods to Help Reduce Anxiety: So Many Problems Start in the Gut!

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A number of years ago, my oldest daughter and I both had to give up wheat and gluten entirely, for health reasons. In addition to cutting out certain foods, we also added a great number of healthy foods to our diets. Partly because we needed food to replace all the food we’d now be missing out on, but mostly because when you feel terrible, it serves as a wake up call. Life is a beautiful, beautiful thing and we want to feel our best while enjoying it. For our bodies to perform their best, we have to stop giving them junk and give them good food. Healthy food.

While I wasn’t terribly surprised when the digestive problems cleared up, I was surprised by a few other improvements (more energy, more “give-a-darn,” etc.) Many people, after adopting healthier eating (which, obviously, doesn’t always include having to give up wheat or gluten), rave and rave about the “unexpected” benefits. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read and heard testimonies such as, “Sure, the lost weight is nice, but the best thing is I FEEL better than I have in years. I have my life back!”

Come on, it doesn’t get any better than that.

More and more experts have figured out something that has gone unnoticed for years – there is a direct correlation between what we eat and not only how healthy we are but also HOW WE FEEL. Our emotions, anxieties, moods… they’re all as tied into what we eat as our waistlines.

The gorgeous infographic, below, from Snap Kitchen, tells how different (delicious!) foods can actually help with anxiety. Most people who live with anxiety look for healthy, easy, natural ways to deal and cope. It’s hard to get much healthier, easier, or natural than food. If you’re all too familiar with anxiety, try adding the following foods to your diet.

You may find more benefits than you ever hoped for!

Click for a larger version of the infographic…

Foods to Reduce Anxiety Infographic

Infographic Source: Snap Kitchen


Infographic: Rising Levels of Anxiety in a Digital World

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I was recently discussing anxiety with a family member who is a close, personal friend of the disorder. While she doesn’t experience the symptoms on a daily basis, the disorder is ever-present. Sort of like those of us with asthma – we may not have trouble breathing daily, but we are never free of the disease.

We simply manage it to the best of our abilities.

The thing that fascinates me the most about anxiety is that it used to be something you seldom heard about. I’ve often wondered, as many have, what has caused the obvious surge in anxiety disorders. Through reading a great deal about anxiety (when multiple people in your family suffer from a particular disorder, you pretty much make yourself an expert on the subject), I’ve found that this is a disorder that is FAR from a “one size fits all” situation. One person’s symptoms, in fact, may not even remotely resemble another person’s.

What’s more, the things that cause “flare ups” or even “attacks” greatly differ as well.

One of the things that works against individuals who have legitimate, clinical anxiety disorders is the frustrating fact that countless people are claiming that they have “anxiety disorders” when, in fact, they simply feel “anxious” at particular times or in particular situations.

When I had to give a speech in college, for example, I felt anxious – to the point of nearly feeling nauseous (I hate public speaking!). However, I don’t – nor did I then – have anxiety. I simply felt anxious because of the situation.

The fact that so many people take it upon themselves to say they have an anxiety disorder when they actually don’t does a disservice to the men and women who actually battle the disorder.

The infographic below gives a lot of insight into how our digital world can effect anxiety. It’s actually an angle I had never considered and it’s downright fascinating.

Diet can also play a role in anxiety disorders. I’ve read MANY, MANY accounts where cutting out gluten and sugar have greatly improved people’s symptoms.

When you live with a particular disease or disorder, it’s more than worth it to try any approach you can. After all, any relief is just that….. relief! – Joi (“Joy”)

Rising Levels of Anxiety In A Digital World

How Does Psychotherapy Help With Anxiety?

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Anxiety and Psychotherapy

Are you troubled by anxiety?  Not sure how to manage it effectively?  You don’t have to live with anxiety and fear.  Treatment can help and for many anxiety problems, psychotherapy may be the answer.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety can be defined as nervousness, apprehension, and self-doubt that may or may not be associated with real-life stressors.  Everyone experiences some level of anxiety periodically, but when feelings of dread and worry are unfocused, overwhelming, recurring or not directly linked to stressful events, anxiety may leave a person severely impaired. When anxiety interferes with daily function, psychotherapy can often be helpful.

Signs and Symptoms

A person with anxiety may experience feelings of panic, fear and uneasiness, with uncomfortable physical sensations such as trembling, sweating, a racing heartbeat, nausea, and shortness of breath.  Anxiety symptoms include obtrusive, obsessive, worried thoughts, confusion and difficulty concentrating, pacing or restlessness, irritability, frustration and despair.

Anxiety can also lead to headaches, insomnia, digestive problems and is at the root of many mental health conditions, including panic attacks and phobias.  It is also often directly correlated with other conditions, such as obsessions and compulsions, post-traumatic stress, and depression.  Because anxiety can interfere with relationships, sleeping patterns, eating habits, work, school and routine activities, if left untreated, anxiety disorders can have severe consequences.

How Can Psychotherapy Help Someone Suffering from Anxiety?

A qualified psychotherapist is highly trained to diagnose and treat people with anxiety disorders.  Rather than treating symptoms alone, as medications do, psychotherapy aims to help you identify and address the source of the anxiety.  Using techniques based on the best available research, it can help you understand the underlying causes of your worries and fears; learn how to relax; look at situations in new less frightening ways; and develop better coping and problem-solving skills.  Psychotherapy can show you the tools to overcome anxiety and teach you how to use them.

How Psychotherapy Works in Treating Anxiety

Therapy sessions are tailored to your specific symptoms and concerns.  The length of therapy will also depend on the type and severity of your anxiety disorder.  The psychotherapist and client collaborate on a treatment plan and explore and devise experiments, strategies and lifestyle adjustments to help relieve anxiety.

With a pro-active psychotherapy approach, the patient is actively involved in his or her own recovery, has a sense of control, and learns skills that not only help them tackle anxiety but can also be useful throughout life.  An integrative psychotherapist will often combine awareness growth with behavioral techniques, to help the individual gradually confront and tolerate fearful situations, in a controlled and safe environment.

The most commonly known anxiety therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT therapy is relatively short-term treatment, which helps identify problematic thinking and behavior that fuels anxiety and utilizes a combination of exercises and experimentation to address anxiety problems.   For a focused piece of work, some people might find 6 sessions could be enough.  Other people may wish to work over a longer time and may find 12 or 16 sessions work better for them.

Sometimes CBT therapy doesn’t enable the client to address certain anxiety issues, in a lasting way.  This can occur because CBT doesn’t comprehensively explore early life experiences, which often feed underlying roots to anxiety symptoms.  This means similar anxiety issues can re-surface some time after a successful course of CBT Therapy has been completed.

A pro-active integrative psychotherapy approach to anxiety can address the gaps when CBT isn’t enough.  A good integrative psychotherapist will help you understand the historical roots that fuel some of your anxiety experiences and by addressing these, alongside the current life anxiety triggers, powerful and lasting change may be achieved.

Conclusion

For people who suffer from anxiety disorders, working with a qualified and experienced psychotherapist can teach you how to control your anxiety levels, stop worrisome thoughts, and conquer your fears.  It can give you a new way of understanding and thinking about your problem and provide you with the skills to deal with the issues that you are struggling with right now.

Set the stage for success by making a conscious decision to promote relaxation, vitality, and a positive mental outlook in your everyday life.  With proper and effective treatment, people suffering from anxiety disorders can gain control of their lives.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent content writer with a keen interest in self-development and brain-training techniques. For the information in this post, London-based specialist Klear Minds were consulted.