6 Dimensions of Health: Healthy Thinking

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Thinking, the internal dialogue you have with yourself 24/7. The most important conversation that takes you through all walks of life from decision making to goals to what you’re going to eat for dinner. But how does this affect your outlook on life and your overall health? Every movement starts with your thoughts, moving to your words and finally, your actions.

Quick Tips to Change Your Outlook on Life

What is Healthy Thinking?
Thinking is the base of your lifestyle. It’s not just about thinking positive, it’s maintaining a glass half full outlook on life. Healthy thinking is maintaining a clear and positive stance when making decisions and coming to conclusions about yourself and your family.

Why do you Need Healthy Thinking?
Imagine this, you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. That’s it, your entire day is ruined. You’re officially stuck in a remake of Alexander and the No Good Horrible Bad Day. The shower water takes forever to heat, nothing in your closet fits quite right and to top it off, you’re out of eggs and coffee. Did you ever think that your day was ruined because of your outlook from the morning you rolled out of the left instead of the right?

Things happen. But, if we keep our mind healthy and remember that perception is a choice, you’re bound to see a bit of sunshine through-out your day.

To add to the sun rays, healthy thinking increases your life span, lower stress levels and your risk for depression. Over-all, you’ll have a more positive outlook on life, while also feeling better in mind, body and soul.

Quick Tips for Changing Your Outlook on Life

Buy Time with Deep Breathing
A big meeting is coming up with your boss. Your stressed. Your heart is racing, and your palms are shaky. Buy yourself some time. Excuse yourself to the bathroom and practice deep breathing for two minutes using a timer on your phone or watch. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, focusing only on your breathing.
Recognize Triggers

Once you’re mindful of your triggers, you can stop them in their tracks. Does a certain color make you think poorly about yourself? A person? A situation? Recognize it and prepare through thoughts that ground and remind yourself of who you are, what you are capable of and what makes you happy.
Repeat Affirmations
Choose a favorite line of a song or a quote from a favorite author. Play it first thing in the morning, repeat it five times, then play again when driving to work. When recognizing a negative thought or outlook, play the affirmation. Hearing these thoughts on repeat, will aid in training your brain to use and think healthy thoughts.
Feel Your Feels
Want to cry? Ball it out. Go to your office, shut the door and completely feel every emotion coming at you. Neuroscience backs that if you feel out your emotions to their full extent, they will only last a maximum of seven minutes. Avoiding them on the other hand, will cause that emotion to drag out and eventually become an overwhelming stress and negative thinking pattern.
Use Your TouchPoints
Keep your thinking clear and healthy through-out the day by relying on your TouchPoints. TouchPoints can be used when triggered or as a touch point to keep stress leveled. Keep in pockets, socks or on wrists, to gently calm your parasympathetic nervous system.

Remember, don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the bandwagon. Healthy thinking takes time and mindfulness. You can always change your way of thinking if you start to catch yourself and your patterns.