Have you ever noticed that when your stressed your shoulders become tight, your back starts to ache, and you develop a headache ? We all know the huge impact our thoughts can have on our physical body. A publication out of Duke University Medical Center writes, "High scorers on Negative Self-Statements and Negative Social Cognitions reported more severe pain and psychological distress. Patients with chronic daily pain had more frequent negative thoughts during flare-ups than patients having intermittent pain secondary to sickle cell disease or rheumatoid arthritis." Practicing habits that encourage us to be aware of thoughts and shift our thoughts from negative to positive can be invaluable. Below are 3 things you can do to start today!
1. Practice 15 Minutes of Mindfulness Daily!
Taking time to be aware of what our thoughts actually are should be the first step. Start by sitting in a quiet room, closing your eyes, and just listening to your thoughts. As your mind calms, take time to think of positive things you want to attract into your life.
2. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal is important to compare your thoughts from previous days and notice any patterns that may be triggering stressful thoughts. A journal is not only a great place to keep track of past thoughts but an opportunity to write down goals to influence your future positive thinking.
3. Exercise!
Simply waking 30 minutes a day can be beneficial to our mood. We all know that exercising can have positive biochemical impact on our mood. Start out slow and aim for consistency.
Dr. David Satterfield, Chiropractor