The Gift of a Directed Mind

For many people, stress is a normal part of life. But when toxic stress takes over your day to day routine, you can start to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. You might even find that your health has taken a turn for the worse.

When this happens, change where you focus your attention. You might be surprised to find out that you can turn things around through the power of a directed mind.

Read on to learn about the all-powerful Mind-Body connection.

Your thoughts have a physical effect on your body. This isn’t pseudoscience; this is well-documented in scientific literature. Take the Placebo Effect, which shows that patients’ beliefs can override the effect of pain-reducing drugs. In a 2011 study, when subjects were told that they would start receiving a drug for pain, they reported that their pain was reduce dramatically. But once they were told the pain medication was stopped, they reported pain levels increasing dramatically – even when the pain medication was actually continued.It is now well known that stress can have a negative effect on the immune system. Likewise, when you go through periods of poor sleeping and eating patterns, the resulting stress on the body can lead to a weakened immune system. Stressful situations can cause our bodies to abandon our immune systems, and stop detoxifying. As a result, more toxins can accumulate in the body.Thankfully, stress can be managed. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you respond. If you can’t manage your stress, you will see your health change for the better.

Ask yourself: are you focusing on what you have, or what you don’t have? Are you focusing on what you can control, or what you can’t? Are you focusing on the past, or the future?

The abundance mindset comes into play when you feel that the solution to your problems is within you. Shifting to this mindset releases a lot of stress, and puts you into a better state of mind.Fear, anger, and resentment are all forms of stress. And as we already mentioned, stress acts as a poison to the body. They can act like a poison to the body, and compromise the immune system.

The antidote for fear is having an abundance of courage. The antidote for anger and resentment is gratitude. If you exchange your expectations for appreciation, the whole game changes.Help yourself overcome stress by cultivating empowering beliefs. The saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way” is not just a motivational idiom; it is also a comforting state of mind for times when you’re feeling pressured by the world around you. It can be a source of relief to know that as long as you are alive, there is hope.

What are the three most empowering beliefs you have? Sometimes, the challenges that we experience in our past can gift us with powerful, and empowering beliefs that help us move forward in life. Embody those beliefs today.When you have a physiology of vibrancy, your overall health will respond positively. Meditation is a great way to cultivate a positive and grounded outlook on life.Create for yourself a future you can believe in. This can help you feel happy and excited to be alive. As a result, your health and outlook on life will improve.

Imagine yourself at 80 years old. As you look back on your life, what are the things that excite you? What are you most proud of? What have you done? What has driven you? What events have made you happiest? What is the life you are living? Imagining this can help you realise what you truly want to do with your life today.Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and appreciation for life. Yes, this is sometimes easier said than done, especially if you have gone through trauma, or years spent focusing on negativity and pessimism. But a positive attitude will have a positive effect on your health, and your body.Step 1: Before you start meditating, get some exercise. This will put you in a great frame of mind, and encourage good circulation.

Step 2: Sit in a comfortable position. Make sure your spine is straight. Your hips should be balanced and your muscles relaxed.

Step 3: Shift your attention to your breath. Notice your inhales and exhales. Scan your body. Are you relaxed and fully present?

Step 4: Choose the type of meditation you will practice today. There are many to choose from. Take note of any movements, breath patterns or mantras that you will be using.

Step 5: As you begin, let your thoughts fade to the bathroom. If any particular thought grabs your attention, simply notice it, then let it go. If you are using a mantra, you can replace the thought by focusing on the mantra.

Step 6: Slowly increase the amount of time you spend meditating. You can start by meditating for 3-5 minutes. “By 11 minutes, your nerves and glands change and adapt, by 22 minutes your mind gains a powerful ability to project itself. After 31 minutes, you can feel your self, your core, your purpose, and a vast aliveness.”Sit with a straight spine. Feel your pulse. Do this by placing your fingertips on the wrist of your opposite hand. Close your eyes.

Breathe slowly and deeply. A good rate to aim for is 4 breaths a minute, or less.

Notice your heart beat. Feel the beat all throughout your body. Continue this process for at least 11 minutes.

When finished, take a deep breath in, and stretch your arms. Relax.

Alternatively, you can choose to do this meditation while walking.

We hope you enjoyed learning about The Gift of a Directed Mind. Remember: at Whistle Clean Australia, we don’t just keep you clean; we care about your health, too!

Photo credits: freepik.com