Changing a Lifetime of Negative Thought Patterns

Creating a positive mindset has gained quite a bit of popularity in recent years due to “The Secret.” However, it can be difficult to change a lifetime of negative self-talk into a positive frame of mind overnight. This is particularly difficult for people that have suffered from poverty, poor health or were raised by extremely negative parents. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. It simply takes time and commitment. 

There are several ways to overcome negative thinking. You have to genuinely want to change your negative thought patterns. Although most of us would willingly want to be more positive, there are some people that resist change even when it is beneficial for them. Their negative thought patterns are so ingrained in their subconscious, that they are filled with doubt and disbelief that anything could make a difference in their lives. They may even become comfortable with their negative way of thinking. So the first step is really wanting to change your negative beliefs into a more positive pattern. 

Once you have decided that you really want a positive change in your life, then you have to be dedicated to making it happen. You have to consciously watch how you feel, and what you think and say. You have to do this all of the time. If you give up too soon, you will miss the fruit of your labor and stay stuck in the same old belief pattern. If you’ve been a negative thinker all your life, it takes time to change your way of thinking. Most people lack patience, but anything worth accomplishing will require work and patience. People often stop trying right when things are about to get better for them. Keep your thoughts positive even when doubt creeps in. 

Decide what you want out of life and focus on it. Write affirmations that detail what you want and repeat them daily. Believe that you have achieved your goals and you will. Listen to affirmation CDs or record your own. You can also use a program like Windows Live Movie Maker to create your own positive affirmation movie using videos and pictures that represent the goals you want to achieve. 

Learn to control your emotions. It is difficult to think and act positively when you are feeling angry, anxious or fearful. Trying to feel confident when you are shy is difficult, but acting as though you are confident will help you become self-assured. Telling yourself that you are wealthy when you are looking at a pile of bills that you can’t afford to pay may seem self-defeating. However, telling yourself that your financial situation is improving and that you are earning more money, and believing it is possible will eventually make it so. 

The key to changing your negative mind chatter is belief. You have to believe that what you want is possible for you. The future is a sea of possibilities, so you have to believe that the changes you desire are possible. You also have to be consistent in those beliefs. You can’t believe one day, and then give up the next. Be positive, patient and consistent, and your life will change for the better. 

The Quest For Love

Article by Margot on page 55 - 61

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Top 8 Tips To Stop Smoking

Post Written By Julie

During October, a campaign launched called ‘Stoptober’, trying to get smokers to give up smoking for one month (the whole of October). Whilst many attempted the challenge, there are many smokers who didn’t. Now that we’re in November, the campaign has finished but there is no reason why you can’t stop smoking today. Research has shown that if you stop smoking for 28 days, you are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

With smoking causing thousands of premature deaths each year (estimated to be over 100,000 per annum), there really is no better reason to quit smoking than to improve your health and reduce your risk factors for getting a serious disease. It is never too late to stop, no matter what your age, stopping smoking will improve your health! Below are some of our top tips to help you with the process:

• Be clear on your motives for stopping smoking

-         Only if you have a genuine desire to give up smoking for yourself will you be successful at staying smoke free

• Gain support from family and friends

-         Quitting smoking is not easy which is why you need the strength and emotional support from family and friends to encourage you and praise your achievements. The more people that know you are trying to quit, the easier it will be.

• Seek advice

-         There are lots of advice and support groups available which may help you with the quitting process. It is also important to speak to healthcare professionals who will be able to give you advice and support.

• Withdraw slowly

-         Going cold turkey without nicotine can be very difficult, so stop smoking and slowly reduce your dependency on nicotine with nicotine replacements such as patches or gum. These are available at pharmacies and may also be available to you on prescription from the doctors.

• Habit

-         A large part of smoking is related to the habitual process of placing the hand towards the mouth. It can therefore be important to many to use plastic cigarettes to allow the associated hand to mouth behaviour to continue but without taking in any of the harmful substances contained in cigarettes.

• Cravings

-         Try relaxation techniques when cravings strike and think about the positives of quitting smoking. Perhaps try engaging in a physical activity to help you forget about those cravings and release some feel-good endorphins into your body. Remind yourself of the positive changes you are making in your life by not smoking and that in the long-term, you will be glad you didn’t cave into having ‘one last’ cigarette.

• Re-conditioning

-         There will be certain situations when your body tells you to reach for that cigarette, perhaps when you are highly stressed. You need to re-condition your body so that when these situations arise, you change your behaviour and do something positive instead.

• Treats

-         Save up all of the money you would have spent on cigarettes and at the end of the month, treat yourself to something nice. You will be amazed at how much money you have been ‘wasting’ over all of these years!

Remember, you will need to draw upon your will power to help you through the first few weeks but it will get easier as your body learns to live without nicotine.

If you need a little more help and support email hello@mrsbloom.org

Switch your mood in 15 minutes

A bad mood can not only ruin the flow of your day and impact on your productivity, it can also affect the quality of decisions that we make.  So, being able to talk ourselves out of a bad mood  is a very valuable tool and very much worth a 15 minute investment.

1.     Decide the level of your bad mood on a scale of 1 – 10 (1 being irritated and 10 is looking for a heavy object)

2.     Ask your self what triggered the mood.  Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, or you argued with your partner. 

3.     Focus on exactly what happened. Then decide if you are distorting, deleting or generalising the facts.

4.     Now score your mood again. Hopefully it will be lower.

5.     Take a deep breath and make a conscious decision to smile through the rest of the day.

Quick & Easy Frittata!

Friday Fun!

Post Written By Julie

Everybody loves the weekend and Friday is always a good day as the weekend for most starts in just a few hours! I thought it was apt that on a Friday, we have some fun!

I have decided to put up a little puzzle for you today to see what answers you come up with! Let us know what you get - every time I look I seem to find more!

How many squares can you see?

Have fun!!