Vocabulary for a Healthy Holiday
How would you categorize the words you speak to yourself on a daily basis?
Take a pause .... What words surfaced? Do you lean toward the positive supportive side?
Or is your brain filled with self criticism and negativity? Let's face it, we are human after all and the brain is never all or one but a mixture of words. With the stimulation of the Holidays, this mixture can easily become a muddled mess.
Today, researchers release study after study on how brain function leads us to on a winding path listening to our thoughts. Overall, if our brain is hearing positive affirmations we are able to enjoy a more optimistic based lifestyle. Optimism, itself, increases resiliency for a person to handle unforeseen challenges as they may arise. The practice of incorporating positive affirmations is not a new concept. In 1952, Norman Vincent Peale wrote the book, "The Power of Positive Thinking". It has been reported at the time of his writing, these notions were frowned upon by health experts. Yet, widely popular by many then continuing to be promoted today with health experts promoting the benefits of positivity.
Here is a sampling of Peale's affirmations:
Picture yourself as succeeding.
Think a positive thought to drown out a negative thought.
Minimize obstacles.
Do not attempt to copy others.
For the ten rules for “overcoming inadequacy attitudes and learning to practice faith”. Click here
Moving on to 2013, Louise Hays wrote this blog on 25 Affirmations for the Holidays.
I begin today by loving and accepting every part of myself, inside and out, exactly as I am.
Today, I look for the beauty in everyone and everything.
Today, whenever I need anything, I know that it will be provided.
I am grateful for all the good that is coming my way.
As a health & wellness strategist, I believe the benefits resulting from positive thought become entrenched even more meaningfully by taking the time to write down positive thoughts. Neuroscience research indicates writing our thoughts or goals down anchors them into our operating network. The brain "encodes" the words more fully when they are original from ourselves. Defined by Neuropsychologists, this is called the "generation effect". The generation effect is a phenomenon where information is better remembered if it is generated from one's own mind rather than simply read. (wikipedia) Even better, write with vivid words. Words that are expressive signaling to your brain not only the written word but that evoke a pleasure emotion.
As we weave these threads for enjoying a healthy Holiday season together, may you keep in mind the vocabulary you choose packs a punch for your well-being. With consumption temptations available, at a head spinning pace, to nosh on higher amounts of sugar, fat, and alcohol while getting less sleep, our anxieties, blood pressure, and immune system simply can get over stimulated. Before heading out to the next Holiday social or potluck, let your brain feast on a vocabulary menu such as: I am …. loving, kind, happy, strong, healthy, beautiful, capable, caring, smart, successful. Then when a negative thought becomes present, as we know they can surface unexpectedly, take out your vocabulary menu and order up a 5 course meal of supportive nurturing words to feed your spirit as you head out the door with a smile on your face and in your heart!
In closing, I encourage you to take a moment with a piece of paper and pen to write down 5 times "I am....." Then 5 times "I will...." Practice this exercise once a day through our the Holiday season shifting any words necessary to bring you improved happiness and joy.
May the season be filled exceptionally with love and laughter!
Contributor Source: Coreview Coach