Stress and Positive Affirmations

We have all heard of the concept of positive thinking and the story of Pollyanna. There is MUCH merit to the power of positive thoughts. Lance Armstrong didn’t win the Tour de France repeatedly by having a bad mindset. Research suggests that a pessimistic view of life is a contributing factor to a suppressed immune system. Positive thoughts are essential to a happy and healthy life. However, the secret to positive affirmations (a word or phrase you repeat to yourself for mental and emotional stability) is to combine the conscious and unconscious minds for the best effect. Reminding yourself of your positive attributes is good, but words alone are not enough. The unconscious mind speaks in symbols, images and metaphors, not words. The unconscious mind also sees things as the present moment so your affirmation statement is best if it begins with the words I am (e.g., I am calm and relaxed).

• Stress Tip for the Day:
Given the amount of negativity today, a little Pollyanna goes a long way! Consider creating a word or phrase combined with an image (e.g., a calm body or water, a humming bird perched on a branch, a rainbow) with your positive affirmation statement. Rehearse it when you are relaxed (e.g. meditating) and then practice it throughout the day; in traffic, long lines at he grocery store or staff meetings. Postive affirmations are a mantra of sorts, they act as a compass to guide you around the potholes of

• Links Worth Noting:
Here is a link with some more information on Positive Affirmations: Enjoy.

http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_00000a.htm

• Photo of the Day:
I took this photo while down in the Virgin Islands last week. My publisher (Jones and Bartlett) wanted me to capture some ideas for another book cover. It’s hard not to be positive in the Virgin Islands (smile).

• Quote for the Day:
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” — Norman Vincent Peale

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.