Silence

Want to up your game?  Take your health, fitness or level of happiness to the next level?  Try silencing your mind.

If you are like many people, a negative thought in your mind is as destructive as the plague.  Parallel in several ways, that one little germ of a thought festers, grabs onto others around it, grows within you and is even contagious.  Once the negative dialogue begins, how do we stop it?  Have you ever had the experience where you finally just say to yourself, "snap out if it!"?

You've heard how pathological it is to hold a grudge.  Physiological changes incur with emotional stress:  your blood pressure raises, your muscles tense, cortisol is released.  Holding onto a negative thought is a lot like it.  It's a grudge against yourself as it consumes energy that you would otherwise have to spend on your health, fitness and happiness.

The first step is recognizing that a negative thought is present.  When the driver in front of you slams on his brakes because he dropped his cell phone almost causing you to rear end him in bumper to bumper traffic, your (although justifiable) negative thoughts are only harming you.  Realizing its impact as you sit, fuming for the remainder of your commute, aggravated before your work day even starts, will help talk you down.

If you can separate your intelligence and your emotion, "That was a close one - get me away from that irresponsible driver," you can move toward quieting your mind.  Stop the negative thought pattern.

Oftentimes it is more challenging to stop a thought that comes from within.  A self-doubt thought may be the hardest.  In this situation, there is no literal removing of yourself from the situation.  Stopping the negative thought pattern may take mind silencing.   In an ideal situation, connect with a natural element: the sunset, a shade tree, a body of water.  Nature is a good grounding force as it is a reliable source of quiet.  Next block all thoughts from your mind and find the place of silence.  Try to avoid any new thoughts.  Absorb the tranquility that comes when the mind is silenced.

It takes practice, but the practice itself is a solace.  Now, think about what's holding you back.  Think you can't lose that weight, run that fast, deal for this long?  Find your quiet place and start applying your new found energy toward achieving your goal.  Focus on the positive, see the glass half full.  Leave your worries behind and enjoy the peace that comes with silence.

To your health,
Amy