Addiction and the Role of Exercise in Managing It

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), less than half of world population (38.3%) actually drinks alcohol. Those who do drink consume on average 17 liters of pure alcohol annually. Moreover, the harmful use of alcohol results in 3.3 million deaths each year. Beside, at least 15.3 million persons have drug use disorders.

These and some other statistics are quite unnerving to the friends and family members of people, who have some kind addiction.

Addiction is a chronic disorder, for which many biological, psychological, social and environmental factors are accountable. About half the risk for addiction is genetic. Genes affect the quantity of reward that an individual experiences when initially using a substance e.g., drugs, alcohol or engaging in certain behaviors e.g., gambling. A heightened desire to re-experience use of the substance or behavior, potentially influenced by psychological (e.g., stress, history of trauma), social (e.g., family or friends' use of a substance), and environmental factors (e.g., accessibility of a substance, low cost) can lead to regular use, leading to brain changes.

The brain changes include alterations in pre-frontal cortex and sub-cortical limbic system regions involving the neuro-circuitry of reward, motivation, memory, impulse control and judgment. This leads to an increase of cravings for addiction and an impairment of the ability to control the impulse, regardless of the knowledge and experience of its consequences.

Role of exercise in managing addiction -

Most treatments for addictions involve some kind of counseling that focuses on helping the person to figure out why he or she engages in the addictive behavior.

Some studies have provided convincing evidence to support the development of exercise-based interventions to reduce compulsive patterns of drug intake in at-risk populations.

Exercise helps in the following ways:

It releases endorphins - On recovering from an addiction, one's the body and mind misses a high feeling caused by it, resulting in depression during the withdrawal phase. Since exercise causes the release of endorphins, which acts as a natural high, especially after a good sweat session, it's possible that working out can help an individual cope with the recovery process.

It alleviates stress - Moreover, regular exercise is a great stress buster, resulting in diminishing stress-related cravings. Therefore, sticking with exercise long-term might even diminish drug seeking behavior.

It acts as a distraction - For some, exercise might just serve as a distraction. While exercise alleviates some of the symptoms of withdrawal, it may not improve long-term abstinence.

It acts as meditation - Exercise can be described as meditation in motion. This concept underlies the ancient tradition of Hatha Yoga exercises. By concentrating on physical movements of exercise, we can experience the psychological and emotional benefits of meditation. A good workout leaves one feeling more rejuvenated and optimistic, which can make recovery much more manageable.

It improves outlook on life - Those, who exercise regularly, have increased feelings of self-confidence and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. In addition, regular exercise provides improved sleep, greater energy, and enhanced feelings of well being, thereby changing positively the outlook on life.

The Crux -

Addiction is a problem of global dimension, influenced by many factors e.g. biological, psychological, social and environmental. About half of the risk for addiction is genetic. Though counseling and treatment form the mainstay of management, regular exercise also positively influences it making its management more effective. The people, who engage regularly in exercise, are less likely to give in to the temptations of addictions even though they may be genetically prone to them.

Addiction is a deadly chronic disorder that has a number of risk factors underlying it. In the majority of instances, bad genes play their role in predisposing people to addiction, who harbor them.

Nevertheless, the problen can be effectively managed, regular exercise playing a very significant role in its management.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Addiction-and-the-Role-of-Exercise-in-Managing-It&id=9778608

Less Stress, More Living

Stress is a real issue in these modern days. It is reported that people who regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress is 77%. We all experience stress in our lives but how do we handle it? Is it pharmaceuticals? Alcohol? Or do some of us, most of us just live with it. The thing is, living day by day with stress can have a serious impact in our lives over time. I have personally experience this by just not thinking about it and lock it deep inside a locked chess, beneath the deepest parts of my sea of thoughts. Whenever another event takes place that causes stress, I will just place it in there too. Days turn into weeks, weeks to months and before we know it, stress seems to creep out of this overflowing chest of unknowing results. I have never resolved these thoughts that cause these stress levels to climb higher and higher. Some of us are like bombs, one event triggers the mind and before you know it all those thoughts in this chest explodes out uncontrollably, over flooding our minds to where we can't seem to function or breath. This is what most would say is a panic attack. I have been there and it is the worse timing when it happens. So here are some simple ways in dealing with stress and resolve your thoughts instead of hiding them in this chest.

When enough, is enough!

1) Breath...

We all know how to do it! We have been doing it since the first breaths we have taken as an infant. Overtime are technique in breathing does get sloppy. Technique is everything. Sit down, close your eyes and breath. Focus on just your breathing, tune into your body and just focus on that. Slow it down and take deeper breaths, and remember! have good posture as you are sitting. Posture is key to breathing, it helps us gain more oxygen into our lungs. As you breath you will notice that your belly fills up with air first. But have you noticed? That you have more room underneath and on each side. Focus on breathing just a little deeper as you concentrate on breathing AND good posture. Slow down and take the time to take some deeper breaths and you will notice a change in your own conscious mind. It allows us to take this moment to really be present. Not the past, nor the future, but present.

Sam Harris has an amazing podcast that I heard his technique for breathing.

He truly explains in more in depth in this YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzMhLmErz5Q

2) Diet

Your diet can have an effect on your own personality. Eating unhealthy foods everyday can cause bloating. Overdoing your portions in your meals will leave you with plenty of extra calories that you end up storing away. Feeling bloated because you know you over ate, or over complicating your meal can have this affect. Just pay attention to your choices everyday. Do you really need sugary drinks at every meal? Mixing up all these complex carbs can definitely make your body harder to process everything and end up with an unhealthy feeling. Eating healthier can be a little challenging, but it is so much simpler than you think!

3) Exercise

We as humans were meant to move! push ourselves and overcome challenges and obstacles within our lives. Exercising in the morning, before work or anything you do allows us to wake up, get the blood moving and take anything that might come at us in our every day lives. Yoga is perfect for starting the day, you are already learning to breath better, have better technique sitting, take it to the next level! This is just the beginning, from yoga you will be more active and more inclined to try new things. Being active is the key though, through breathing, good posture and your new choice of activity, you will want to experience active things that you thought you could not do before. I have been there trust me on this. Joe Rogan has an amazing motivational video on exercise. Click http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=e_eJRDl2J6Y

Very simply put, Breathing, Diet and Exercise can help you battle the long struggles of stress. Take these steps when you have had enough! You don't need pharmaceutical prescriptions to help with your own conscious thoughts, or your bloating, weight loss or even depression. It all starts with saying enough is enough! Breath, look into your diet, and exercise. You will be surrounded with people who do the same and those communities are an amazing way to support you into your new life style. Wake up and truly live again.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Less-Stress,-More-Living&id=9817710

Change Your Life In Minutes

Often, I hear people talk about how busy they are and that often they feel overwhelmed. Their lives are disorganized, their vehicles need attention and their relationships are strained.

Rather than piling things up and then feeling like everything is just too large to resolve, try doing things a little bit at a time. Your life can be so much better if you just think about what can be accomplished in five minutes or less.

Following are things that take five minutes or less to do but will give you much pleasure.

• Manage the dishwasher - It is much easier to make dirty dishes disappear immediately after a meal than waiting until hours later. Better yet, try having an empty dishwasher before meal preparation so that you can be loading it with cooking utensils as you go.
• Write a short note to someone who you care about. One or two sentences may bring a smile to that person's face.
• Play your favourite song and dance!
• Write a grocery list (on your phone or on paper).
• Water your plants as you take in their aroma and beauty.
• Bag, tie and take out the garbage.
• Pray.
• Move the meat for your next meal from the freezer to the fridge.
• Choose an outfit and accessories for your next appearance.
• Open a junk drawer and pull out ten things you don't need or want.
• Read as many pages as possible in your favourite book (within the five-minute timeline).
• Sit in a chair with eyes closed and breathe deeply with a goal of feeling totally relaxed.
• Throw a load of laundry into the washer.
• Delete unnecessary emails from your inbox.
• Clean one mirror in your house.
• Feed the pets.
• Phone your mother (remember to start the conversation by saying "I only have five minutes")
• Remove everything from the seats in your vehicle.
• Think about the next upcoming birthday in the family and how you will celebrate.
• Exercise.
• Plan one charity you can help this year (donations, volunteering, encouraging).
• Journal.
• Knit, crochet or focus on a hobby (remember, only five minutes!)
• Brush and floss.
• Flip through a magazine.
• Enjoy a piece of fresh fruit.
• Watch a Marie Kondo video on how to fold clothes (amazing!)
• Play a game of solitaire.
• Book an appointment for a massage.
• List other things that you can do in five minutes or less.

Don't wait until things have piled up around you! Begin using five-minute segments in which you can organize your environment, plan your time and feed your soul.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Change-Your-Life-In-Minutes&id=10145718

Top 5 Tips to Help You When Dealing With a Bad Day

The everyday lives we live in this world can be both great and wonderful at times but sometimes life can also take a major turn for the worst and send us into a spiraling array of dismay, negativity, and depression. We've all dealt with bad days before at least once in our lives, so as a result here's some quick tips on how to turn those terrible bad days in life into fantastic and positive good ones for your benefit and uplift your spirits when you're feeling down.

1. Listen to your favorite music and new songs.

Sometimes winding down and listening to your favorite songs is the best way to relieve stress and let go of the bad things and negativity currently enveloping your life. When your having a bad day put on some of your favorite tunes when you can and able and sit down and immerse in them and remember what you liked about them even to make them become your favorite music in the first place.

2. Go for a long personal walk outside and reflect on your problems, feelings, and other things bothering you in your life.

When people are feeling down in life sometimes they just need to be alone and help find themselves in that moment and get to the source of the issue there dealing with even. Don't be afraid to go for a personal walk alone outside like in a park or some area down the street from your home that you may or may not have been before. Once your outside walking to yourself, casually think about your life and where it's at currently and reflect on your personal issues, what your problem may be that day, and other things that may be bugging you in your life as of now and try to resolve the emotions the best you can as you take your personal alone time outside.

3. Exercise.

Similar to the previous tip above, when your feeling down it's always good to get your body stimulated and moving around to help shake off that negativity and allow more room for you to embrace positivity in your life. Go jogging, walking, and running down the street of your neighborhood when your down if possible and get your body motivated again for a better day today and tomorrow. Execute any other types of exercises you may enjoy doing or feel that may help you better keep your mind off things negative in your life currently.

4. Eat, Rest, and Sleep.

Another common good way to shake off troubles is to definitely eat right and get some kind of rest and sleep afterwards. Depending on your schedule for the day try to eat some of your favorite foods throughout. Try to rest your body as much as you can as well through the day as well. As soon as you get off your responsibilities and activities for the day, make it home and try to receive actual rest by obtaining as much sleep as you can before the next day rolls around.

5. Look forward to the next day.

Some of the best ways to extinguish the pain of today is to definitely look forward to tomorrow. Looking forward to a bright future certainly helps a person psychologically, emotionally, and with their mood of the day their experiencing currently. And with hopeful thinking for tomorrow all the negativity and depression you may be feeling will be only temporary and once you get some food and rest you'll be up tomorrow in much higher spirits than before.

These are some of the best five tips provided on how to deal with a bad day. If a bad day even stumbles upon your life try these five tips out to help cope with the stress and bring more happiness and inspiration to your life.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Top-5-Tips-to-Help-You-When-Dealing-With-a-Bad-Day&id=9635811

Why Self-Esteem Is Important for a Model

We talk about how modeling can help to boost one's self-esteem and at the same time what you can do to come out of the shell of insecurity and fear.

When you Start Getting Jobs

Everything seems like a scam and an evil plot against you, until your modeling agency helps you to start acquiring jobs. Your confidence skyrockets when the jobs are acquired with credible clients and even more so when they are jobs that suit your interests and likes. Modeling is an incredibly powerful form of work that can creates confidence in your look and skin that few other jobs or careers can.

Beyond getting paid for your work, you also get your work published and advertised through publications, and mass media channels such as Television on Print advertisements. This means you gather acknowledgements and you thus feeling good in your skin as well.

Modeling Can Play Tricks with your Mind

When you see other models around you, you may start to wonder, am I supposed to be that thin? Should I have literally zero body fat in order to be considered a model? Well if you were supposed to be as thin as a stick your modeling agency wouldn't have accepted you for their work in the first place. If they do want you to change your weight in a drastic manner all you have to do is simply say no and find another modeling agency. Do not take advice from your imagination, or from extreme people. Be in a lean and fit body and only work in jobs that suit your natural size and body. That will give you the utmost career and mental satisfaction you need.

Exercise Right, Sleep Right, Eat Right, and Live Right

Drop the pills and ills. What you need is natural and organic methods to keep your beauty and health in check. Don't fall prey to consumerist schemes and certainly never resort to extreme measures such as starving yourself. Thin does not equal beautiful. You must be in your natural body size that suits you and your look, and most of the times that is obtained simply by regular exercise and eating proper food and avoiding fast and fried food.

Modeling agencies these days are interested in a vibrant personality and a healthy look that is marketable, not a pale looking stick figure. Do away with misconceptions and prioritize your health above anything else!

Modeling is thus a double-edged sword that can be employed to your benefit or destruction. Adopt the right mentality and you will shine, failing to do so can make it a job that kills your self-esteem. Else you're on Victoria's Secret, your aim should first to look good in your god-given body, and progress in your looks slowly and steadily with due respect to your physical and mental health.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Self-Esteem-Is-Important-for-a-Model&id=9635259

Self Control Tips - Anger Management

Anger management is an important and difficult part of self control.

Everyone has been angry. It is pretty much impossible to go through life without getting mad at something at some point, making anger management a mandatory skill for anyone who wants to interact with people.

Sure, some people have less anger than others, but everyone will need to learn to control or manage it at some point. These steps should help you work through your angry in a healthy manner.

The first step in anger management is to figure out what caused it.

Some people have anger as their first reaction to anything because that is how they were raised. Other people end up hurling things around when they're angry simply because that's what they saw when they were young.

Still others end up being incredibly angry because of a recent event that has weakened their self-control.

Some people end up mismanaging their anger simply because they're not looking at the real issue.

Finding out what is really behind your anger and how you express it can help you focus on the issue at hand, rather than lashing out.

Once you've identified what makes you angry, put it on a list. While it isn't so much the anger that causes trouble as the way it is expressed, not getting mad altogether can keep you getting in trouble in the first place.

Think about your daily routine and when you get mad the most. You can either adjust your routine, or if it is part of a job, better prepare yourself for the oncoming storm of stress.

You should also identify the symptoms of rising anger, such as clenched fists, pacing, or even seeing red, as it can help you identify new triggers and prepare accordingly.

The next step is learning how to cool down when you're all riled up. You know when you get angry.

You know the signs when you're getting angry. It's time to learn how to get down when you're getting mad.

There are a number of things you can do.

• Exercise: Anger involves the fight or flight response. You can use exercise to work through all the excess energy that you suddenly have.

• Counting until you calm down: You don't have to count anything in particular, you just need to occupy your mind with something monotonous that doesn't anger you until you regain your self-control and composure.

• Deep Breathing: Slow, deep breaths can slow down your heart rate and calm you down.

Some people have unorthodox methods of calming themselves down, so if you find something that works for you, don't hesitate to use it.

The last step is finding a healthy way to express your anger.

Anger is energy, and if you can find a way to channel that anger into inspiration and change, then not only have you managed your anger, but you've turned a negative into a positive. Some people paint. Other people write.

Find what works for you.

At the end of the day, anger management is about putting yourself in a position to deal with your anger and to make smart decisions in the heat of the moment.

Determine the cause of your anger, calm yourself down, and then make a decision. You don't want to regret something for the rest of your life simply because you couldn't calm down.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Self-Control-Tips---Anger-Management&id=7903868

Stay Positive Through the Winter Blues

Short days, cloudy skies and inclement weather add to the gloom that often comes with the winter season. This mood of gloom often peaks right after the holiday season is over. The celebrations, blinking lights, parties and fireworks are over yet the days are still short and the air cold. You're feeling low and there may be a good reason for it.

Extended periods of low light and darkness have a direct effect on your hormones. Specifically, your body generates serotonin in response to exposure to daylight. In the absence of daylight, serotonin will be lower in your body. Serotonin plays a role in regulating your moods, your attitudes in general and it may also influence how hungry you feel. This can lead you to snacking, which may only sink you lower if the snacks are loaded with sugar or starch.

For many people, the feelings of sadness and depression in winter are symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Sleep may be disrupted by low levels of serotonin, as the body needs it to help produce melatonin which helps you to sleep. Other general symptoms include excessive napping, irritability, panic attacks and obsessing over things that seem trivial to others. Without assistance, most people find their symptoms abating when spring arrives, around April or May depending on where you live. The days are longer and warmer and serotonin levels and outside activities begin to regulate your body in a happier cycle.

Activities that help to boost your serotonin levels can go a long way to prevent SAD from affecting you during the winter. A variety of SAD lamps, or blue light lamps or sunlight lamps that emit daylight spectrum light have been shown to boost serotonin temporarily and enhance the mood. Twenty to thirty minutes a day in front of one of these lights and you should notice a difference quickly. Exercise is a great way to regulate your hormones and improve your overall health and fitness, which naturally leads to higher self-esteem and a positive outlook. Even a twenty-minute walk each day can make a big difference.

Avoid high carbohydrate sweets and starches as much as possible, including pasta, rice and bread. These foods spike your insulin levels which leads to further drowsiness and that only adds to your low feelings. Instead, choose nutrient-rich vegetables and proteins with every meal. These foods help to boost your metabolism and help to keep your hormones in balance. If you face a long gap between lunch and dinnertime, eat a few nuts such as walnuts or almonds. These nutrient powerhouses will keep you balanced and ward off the hunger pangs that tempt you in the wrong direction. Add Omega-3 oil to your diet as it also makes a direct contribution to enhancing your mood.

Go to as many open houses, social meetings and group gatherings that you can. Go walking with a friend. Connecting with other people keeps you socially engaged and outwardly focused. If you made a New Year's resolution, now is the time to put it into action. Aside from the health benefits of exercise, a regular routine or project with specific milestones is likely to lift you out of the doldrums. Celebrate every small accomplishment and before you know it, spring will arrive and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Stay-Positive-Through-the-Winter-Blues&id=9588021

What to Do When You Are Really Angry?

It happens, it's usual, it's expected that we get extremely angry from time to time, that we almost feel like it's closing in on our minds.

After this storm of emotions we all might think that we are not in total control of our reactions during these kinds of situations. Fortunately, there are some little things that can be done to distract our mind off this "Heat". Our mind sometimes act like a child's one; all it needs is just to be distracted.

Here are some things that you can do when you are really angry or frustrated:

1. Change you physical set

If you are in your bedroom; go to the living room. If you are sitting on a chair; go take a walk in your apartment. Trust me this will keep your mind a little bit busy until this high wave of outrage passes.

2. Focus on reason, not emotion

Reason will help you get away from the negative thoughts coming quickly to your mind at these moments. Reason will help you process your feelings "as if it is food getting digested" and determine your best convenient response.

3. Determine what exactly made you angry

It may not be what your friend said but actually a weakness point that it touched inside you. It could be your boss who criticized your performance NOT your wife when you got home afterwards. Many people get angry during certain situations yet they show their anger later at very different ones. A major reason of this behavior is mistaking the true reason that got them angry in the first place. If we analyze the things that actually get us nervous, many problems in this world will be solved.

4. Delay your response

Wait before it's late! Let's be frank; you know you don't get your best decision with a red eye! Surely some people do best under stress, but Don't mistake Stress for Anger. There is a marked difference.

5. Take a cool shower

What is better to extinguish fire than water, right? It will relax your body, energy, and mind.

6. Discharge your anger energy by exercise

Like I said you need to get rid of the boiling energy inside you. Run, Left some Weights, Practice some boxing "I like this one", some intense shouts can be useful to express your anger in a more healthy way.

7. Talk about it with your close ones

Having someone to talk about the things that upset us is a blessing some people don't have. Talk about your anger, your fears, and your passion with the people who are trustworthy, the people who understand you and listen to your words. Discuss with them the things that put you out of normal mood and how to overcome them, even if they didn't find a solution at the moment, talking with them only would let your negative emotions out and gives you a refreshment boost.

8. Avoid your anger triggers

It's wise to limit the things that harass our mood. Life is already full of those so we should save ourselves some peace of mind.

https://ezinearticles.com/?What-to-Do-When-You-Are-Really-Angry?&id=9186974

5 Safe Ways To Blow Off Steam

Anger has caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people all because they have reacted to it in a negative manner but there are things that we can do to blow off our steam that will not be harmful to us or others. In a split second our anger can set off a totally new way of life for us if we would react to it in a negative way; so listed below are five safe ways to blow off steam that will not cause any harm to other or to ourselves.

Exercise: Exercise is a very good way to blow off steam; it will stimulate your senses by giving your body a good workout. While you are concentrating on the workout, you will be less likely concentrating on the problem which in tern will cause you to settle down.

Play your favorite activity: The best type of activity is something that would require thinking or problem solving, this way your brain will become preoccupied on the activity and not on the person that you are angry with and this will give you a chance to calm down.

Listen to nature sounds: These sounds can be calming to you if you are angry about something. Rushing water makes a calming sound as well as birds chirping but the point is to find something that is relaxing to your senses; what might be calming to one person may not be calming to another.

Go for a walk in a quiet place: Down time is very important and the best place to get it is in a quiet place. You might be surprise to learn that the problem was not that big of a deal or you might find a solution to the problem while walking along on a quiet path.

Have a sense of humor: The bible say that a merry heart does good like a medicine so find something humorous that happen while you were angry, I am sure that at least one thing happened because the Lord does not want you angry so He will put something in your way to diverse the anger, you just have to look for it and when you find it, let the laughter flow because it can and will reduce the anger.

You might be able to think of other things that will help you blow off steam and that is a good thing; just do not forget to do it when you become angry. It is easy to get into trouble but it is not as easy getting out of it so do not be lead by your emotions.

If you become angry and feel the need to blow off steam, make sure it is done in a positive way. If you will do it this way; you will not have regrets later. Things will happen beyond your control but you are in control of your emotions so regardless of the situation; think before you react, it will save you from a lot of pain and suffering later on.

https://ezinearticles.com/?5-Safe-Ways-To-Blow-Off-Steam&id=7888817

How to Use Your Inner Voice to Reach Your Goals

I recently wrote about pain and how beneficial pain is to your success. In that article, I mentioned that we all make decisions based on one of two driving forces, avoiding pain or pursuing pleasure. As most of us can relate to, pain from doing something we don't want to do is far more intense at the time of the action than the joy we get for taking the action. That is why so many people don't do the things it takes to have success. The unfortunate truth is, the fact that people avoid pain actually creates pain. Stagnation is painful. We all have dreams and desires and must find a way to move forward to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Fear is our minds trying to protect us from pain. Letting fear stop you is making the choice to avoid pain, instead of the choice to pursue pleasure. Without this understanding it is easy to fall victim, but now that you understand what is going on psychologically, lets discuss some strategies to break through that fear so we can start making decisions that benefit us.

One strategy to break through fear is to start focusing on your inner voice. This is the voice in your head that is constantly talking. It is hardly ever quiet, and it loves to give you advice. Some of you are saying, "What inner voice? I don't have an inner voice!" That is your inner voice.

This is your subconscious mind speaking to your conscious mind. Think of your subconscious mind as a giant file cabinet. It is filled with files from experiences in your life or with files from things you use to condition it. For example, remember the first time you had a crush on a boy or a girl in your class? Maybe you built up the nerve to talk to them and they rejected you. As you got older and had opportunities to speak to others you got nervous. That fear is created by your mind to prevent that negative feeling you have had in your past. Different negative events have happened to all of us that shape our decision making as we get older. Another example is, a song that you love that makes you think about a specific time in your life or a specific person. That could be a positive or a negative feeling. The point is, those experiences created files that your subconscious mind relies on the rest of your life. If you are about to do something that you consider scary, your subconscious mind will likely start talking to you and giving you reasons to not move forward. That negative advice coming from your subconscious is what we are trying to control.

I believe that if you are willing to take responsibility for what your subconscious tells your conscious mind, you will have ultimate power. You see, most people do not understand the difference between subconscious and conscious thinking and they are not aware of the awesome power the subconscious has. It literally can make you successful if you work at conditioning it in the right way. Taking responsibility for this is not easy. It is hard work, and being honest with yourself can be painful. Here are five ways to start to condition your subconscious so you can control that inner voice.

Celebrate Fear: As long as you are in a safe place, I suggest you celebrate the fear that you are feeling each time you feel it. Shout out loud, "YES!!!" and say something like "I LOVE THIS FEELING" "I LOVE FEAR" By doing this each time you feel it, you will start to condition your mind that fear is positive, (which it is). You can work on conditioning your mind to understand that fear is only there to protect you and that in most cases, you can safely move forward with your task. The more you do this, the more the positive messages your subconscious will give your conscious when you are faced with fear. I know this sounds a little crazy, and it does take time and effort, but this is one way that I know works.

Exercise: I know this sounds crazy too, but when you exercise and push your body, your inner voice will tell you to stop. You feel pain, and you can stop feeling pain by simply stopping the activity you are doing, running for example. If you can hear the voice tell you to stop, but continue pushing, you will start to quiet that voice when you have challenges in other areas of your life. So am I really telling you to exercise and push your body until your inner voice says to stop? Yes, I am. Again, this is hard, and it hurts, and it is great for you to do. It is just one more way to accomplish what we are talking about.

Meditate: This one is much less painful but can be just as challenging. This is taking 20 minutes a day to yourself, and I know how hard that can be. Meditating helps quiet the normally loud and obnoxious subconscious mind. The best ideas in business will come to you when you meditate, because you create space in your mind. It is also positive energy and thoughts going into your subconscious mind, which is what we need to condition it. If we can fill the file cabinet with positive files, that is what we will use when we make decisions. I have found this to be challenging because my mind goes 100 mph. I have had the best results from putting on head phones and sitting on a comfortable chair with a guided meditation. You can find these for free on YouTube or through podcasts. You can also pay a little to get great guided meditations.

Affirmations: This is hands down my favorite, and no matter what strategies you decide to use to help you with your inner voice, I feel strongly that this should be incorporated into your plan. There are several ways to use affirmations to help, but the best way I have found is to simply write down what you want to accomplish, maybe a goal, and then repeat it out loud to yourself each morning and night. Using a mirror and saying it with conviction increases the results. By repeating this over and over, your subconscious mind will start to believe in it and will start to work on making it a reality. It is crazy the power you have over your life with this simple technique. You can literally have anything you want by convincing your subconscious mind that you have it or deserve to have it. Once your sub-conscious mind is convinced it will pull the correct files to give your conscious mind when the time comes. The correct files will push right through your fears. This too sounds crazy, but trust me, it flat works!

Self Development: This is the easiest of all of them to do, so it too should be incorporated into your plan. This is simply listening to educational, self-help, and self-development material instead of the radio in your car. This is nothing new. I am pretty sure that every mentor I have had has said the same thing. It is so easy to do, and you will be filling your mind with knowledge, hope, and inspiration. That is what you need for the inner voice to tell you to move forward instead of telling you to stop when you are faced with a challenge.

There are several other ways to bust through fears that I will write about, but controlling your inner voice is a great place to start.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Use-Your-Inner-Voice-to-Reach-Your-Goals&id=9884608

Exercise for Your Health - Keep Yourself Going With Affirmations

Exercise is a fundamental key to a healthy lifestyle. And yet, for busy people, exercise is often the thing that gets shelved to make way for other responsibilities and tasks.

But here's the thing: exercise is one of the most energizing and stress-reducing activities you can engage in. When you skip it, you are undermining yourself.

Exercise: Keeping it a Priority

So, maintaining an exercise regimen as a priority time choice is an important self-care skill to develop. And one of the most powerful ways that I know of, to keep yourself going when the going gets tough, is with affirmations.

Below is a list of affirmations you can use as a jumping off place as you work to maintain your exercise motivation.

Exercise Affirmations: Staying Healthy and Strong

And remember that affirmations are highly personal. They need to connect with your heart if they are going to work for you. So take these and make them yours... play with them as much as you need to!

I encourage and motivate myself to exercise regularly and keep moving.

I am making big changes with my stress-relieving exercise routine.

No excuses today! I know that exercising helps... and I am going to continue.

I don't buy into the idea that exercise is a chore.

I have mastered the regimen of staying fit.

Fitness is not a luxury; it's a necessity that lets me live a long and full life.

Hard work and hard-breathing exercise are key to reducing my stress.

It feels so good to work up a sweat and clear my mind.

I am in charge of my physical destiny and I appreciate the tremendous benefit my mind, spirit and body receive with each workout.

I have made up my mind to be as healthy as I can be.

I choose to be strong and healthy so I may live a healthy and vibrant life.

I am on a positive path and I will persist on my life journey.

I don't seek to impress, but rather, I do this for me!

My mind is made up and I know that exercise is the best gift I can give to myself right now.

I am so glad to be exercising today!

Exercise: It's All in Your Hands

Can you feel the energy as you read through those affirmations? That's power - and it is all there, right inside of you, awaiting your direction.

When you make time choices that allow you to keep up your exercise regimen, you give yourself a gift that will reduce your stress and enhance your productivity and enjoyment of life, no matter what. So, try using affirmations to give yourself the support and encouragement you need.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Exercise-for-Your-Health---Keep-Yourself-Going-With-Affirmations&id=9668007

Wake Up Call for The Grumpy

Do you ever wake up feeling nothing but grumpy? And you are not aware of it. Not until everyone else says it to you repeatedly. And even feel more irritated because you won't believe it to be true reasoning out that you are just "not a morning person". And then you realize "Oops! I have been relatively grouchy." There is your wake up call. But why do you feel you are having a bad mood in the morning, when in fact, your day has not started yet? Here are some factors that may ring the alarm with the corresponding recommendations you can do.

Poor Quality of Sleep

Sleep quality is "one's satisfaction of the sleep experience" as defined by National Sleep Foundation's Sleeptionary, who advocates in sleep health as a new field of research on keeping us informed and motivated to have a good slumber. It is highly subjective and is comprises your sleep's initiation, maintenance, quantity, and refreshment upon waking up. If you are having a bad morning it can be associated with these determinants especially on your ability to wake up comfortable, positive and calm.

79% of Americans wake up badly according to Withings, a French tech firm who studied both Americans and British who are snoozers. 79% of the respondents admitted that waking up in a bad mood affects them throughout the day affecting their concentration (51%), overall work performance (38%), and well-being (35%).

We have our own body clock also called as the circadian rhythm. If we wake up ill-tempered most of the time, our own clock is probably not working right. Sleep inertia is the psychological state characterized by feeling groggy upon waking up and lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. At this stage, the culprit sneaks in. Neurotransmitters affect sleep are erratic including norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. Tossing and turning, you will rise up irritated. Fight inertia during its course it will be a big help if you prepare prior to a big day. What you think before you sleep will remain in your dreams up until you wake up. Dr. Vijai P. Sharma concluded that if we have too much stress in our life before sleeping, our compensatory mechanism regulates our mood while asleep in our dreams. Dreams give us hints on how we should deal with what is on the day ahead. Basically, the input of our mind and body is also the output. If you are stressed out before hitting the bed, waking up will be hard for you.

If you cannot catch the Z's (Bedtime routines)

The Bedroom

• Keep the room spick and span to minimize contaminants.

• Strategize your bedroom design. A study by Indian humanitarian Sadhguru, founder of Isha Foundation, shows that sleep positioning and proper arrangement of your ideal interior actually helps you sleep right.

• Mattresses have a life span good for ten years. Invest on a comfortable and supportive ones to avoid and/or relieve back pain.

• A survey shows that 91% of Americans, according to National Sleep Foundation, change their sheets every two weeks. Wash sheets with mild water and detergent as often as possible to stay away from allergens that may hinder you to fall asleep. Use relaxing fabric conditioner to soothe you.

• Wash pillows every 6 months and add a protective case in between the pillow and pillow case to prolong its lifespan and prevent the spread of infectious-causing germs and foul odor.

• Use humidifiers or scented candles such as bamboo, peppermint, and lavender to saturate air and reduce anxiety.

• See to it that brightness of light source is adjustable from dim to luminous. Turning off bedside lampshade will make you sleepy because our body releases melatonin.

• Set up the clock where you can easily see it but do not watch as it ticks. You may get too focused on the time that will not allow you to sleep.

• Watch out for white noises that can distract you from having a sound sleep such as electric fans, machinery, and the likes. Try to tune it down.

• Regulate bedroom temperature to your liking. 60 to 70 degrees is usually suggested.

The Grumpy Head

• Prepare the things you need to use for the next day.

• Avoid doing strenuous work out before going to bed. Keep it light and simple to relieve stress and improve blood circulation. If you wish to go to the gym, do it 3 hours before hitting the hay.

• Try the good old counting sheeps formula. If this does not work for you, try relaxation techniques to help you meditate before sleeping such as imagery, yoga, and deep breathing exercises. These will also help you load off stress.

• Eliminate the use of cellphones, laptops, TVs, tablets and other devices that emit blue light that makes your brain activate.

• Lessen taking naps if necessary. Naps may take away from your night sleep especially if you are having a hard time or have insomnia.

• Clear your thought process. Try writing down your worries and solutions to resolve it. This way your brain will do the problem solving while asleep and waking up won't feel like a burden.

If you want to get out of the Z's

• Open the curtains. 35% of Americans don't use bedroom curtains or shades, according to National Sleep Foundation. Allow the power of sunlight to brighten your day. This instantly stimulates your brain to wake up and fight sleep inertia faster than usual keeping you from being volatile.

• Drinking tea and coffee are known to be effective mood boosters.

• Take a hot shower to awaken you and counteract inertia.

• Use your electronic device to your advantage. Set an alarm with reminders, quote of the day, prayers or pictures to be inspired.

• Quit snoozing. According to Dr. Peter A. Fotinakes, hitting the snooze button time after time decreases the quality of sleep. Instead of waking you up, you will just get a bad morning.

• Make sure to focus on the positive. Upon waking up, smile to remind yourself to look into the bright side of things. Think of something you look forward to making you jump out of the bed. Get your quick fix but don't let it procrastinate you.

• Wake up early to allow more time to prepare yourself from the day's hustle and bathroom politics.

• Listen to music that energizes you and keeps your focus on the positive.

• Go out for a walk and see a beautiful scenery for 30 - 60 minutes. Appreciation of nature helps combat your grumpiness away.

• Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project recommends adding favorable activities in your morning routines before going to work.

• Encourage social contact. A friend or a loved one will cheer you up and knock your head just to tell you to stop being irritating even when you are weary.

If you cannot keep the Z's

• Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. It will set your internal body clock to wake up on time and get enough sleep. Young professionals and adults are highly recommended to have at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day.

• Minimize the use of your bed strictly for sleep and sex. Unnecessary things lying around your bed is a no-no! Take away clothes, books, and gadgets. Place them properly where they belong. Work materials should not be found on your bed. These will stimulate your brain to overload and would not induce sleep.

• Avoid eating heavy meals or spicy foods to prevent indigestion. Eating dinner 2 to 3 hours before lying down prevents you from waking up in the middle of the night. If you are still hungry, you can eat light meals 45 minutes before.

• Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine. In an article in Time Magazine, doctors explained how the effect of "alcohol is probably to blame" for keeping you up at night.

• Exercise daily but take into consideration your sleep routines. Go to be bed when already tired and do not force yourself into working out.

• Keep a sleep journal to track your sleep cycle and evaluate irregularities.

• Seek professional help from a physician or a sleep doctor.

Waking up grumpy reflects your attitude towards the day. Do not own up to it. Stay away from it all cost before drifting off to dreamland and prepare for a great morning. Answer the call with positivity. Batter the grumpy in you before it batters you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Wake-Up-Call-for-The-Grumpy&id=9482783

How To Boost Your Brain Energy

Do you have a health and fitness philosophy? Do you know why you are training your body and exercising? Have you ever thought about the emotional reasons behind why you want to stay fit, active and energetic?

Some people exercise because they want to look better naked. Some people exercise because they are fed up of getting sick regularly. Some people exercise because they aspire to be high performing athletes who excel at certain sports competition.

Personally, I do weight lifting 3 times a week every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Because I have been doing this for 4 years since University, I don't really do much cardio as I used to when I was a little bit overweight.

But the motivating reasons behind why working out has become an automatic habit of mine because I treat it as part of my identity. Meaning, I see exercising as part of my identity. Staying healthy, strong and energetic who I am and thus working out is what I naturally do. I love the feeling whenever I work out and it has a direct positive impact to my mindset, my emotions, my feelings and my level of motivation.

One of the biggest reasons why a lot of people are unable to achieve what they want is because they have low energy and feel tired all the time.

As Jim Rohn taught me, we should all treat our bodies like a temple instead of a woodshed. The mind and body work together and your body need to be a great supporting system to provide the necessary strength, energy, power and vitality for your mind and spirit to take you wherever you want to go. One of the saddest things we can ever experience is when "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." That's the last thing you want.

Instead of jumping out of your bed with great enthusiasm, you sleep in and waste another 3 hours of productive hours.

Instead of doing something fun, adventurous and spontaneous in the evening, you drag yourself back home watching mindless TV, eating rubbish food and lying (dying) on a couch.

Instead of influencing people with uplifting inspirations, you become that negative energy-sucker everyone wants to avoid.

These kinds of physical and mental exhaustion are detrimental to your success. But the good news is that you can fix them over time with the right kinds of diets, training programs and consistency.

One thing you can do to boost energy to your brain is to increase the strength of your heart.

The heart pumps blood, oxygen and nutrients to your brain for its optimal functioning so when you have a stronger heart, you have a stronger mind.

An easy and cost-effective way to do so is to do mild-level cardio training. So instead of sprinting like Usain Bolt for short distances or running marathons, all you need is to run a few kilometers 2-3 times a week for 30-45 minutes.

This is how I lost 10 pounds of weight over a year of effort before I started my strength training. This natural slow running not only is going to enlarge the left ventricle of your heart, but it also reduces massive stress because jogging will produce more happy chemicals endorphins and less stress hormone cortisol.

Also, if you want to go deeper, you can combine other raw organic nutritious food and health supplements that support your brain health. There are an increasing number of nootropics that are beneficial to your brain functioning. Of course as always, consult your physician for specific medication advice.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Boost-Your-Brain-Energy&id=9562640

We Need a More Nuanced Way of Saying "Just Do It" (By Andy Kay)

People with low confidence and/or depression endure additional frustration when confronted with the attitude of just do it.

Popularized by an immense athletics corporation, it's hard not to see the mass-appeal of this ubiquitous saying. -- And of its more jaunty sibling: Nothing to it but to do it.

Ah, how quaintly it conveys confidence and a winning spirit.

Unfortunately, it's hardly translatable into utility.

Two reasons for that:

1) First of all, it only presents an attitude that, when paired with persistence, focus, and above all a crystal clear plan, will help you endure. But when you have neither, what good is a one-sentence peptalk in itself?

In other words: I should just do what, exactly?

And when? And how? For how many hours a day? What time of day? And until when? And succeeded by what?

2) Second, depression and low confidence is impossible to understand unless you've been through it yourself. And the people who are keen on giving well-meant advice often have no clue what kind of situation they're addressing... :

"Feel depressed? Well, you just gotta pull yourself together!"

"Can't lose weight? Well, you just gotta eat less and exercise more!"

"No luck with the ladies? Well, you just gotta be yourself!"

"Don't have any friends? Well, you just gotta have more confidence!"

*SIGH*

Look: Building one's confidence and/or breaking free of depression can be tough. Solving those issues can take months, or even years. And...

If you have neither confidence nor direction in life, being met with an attitude of just do it isn't only inappropriate; it can seem downright insulting.

If we want to carry something out, we gotta be specific about it. Only THEN does it make sense to talk about "just" doing something.

First, however, we gotta figure out what we're gonna do. And for many people, this in itself is a biggie.

(Hell, it took me +33 years!)

Specifically, the best way to get started on this is to start walking one path. Plain and simple.

Pick it out of interest. If you don't feel like you're going anywhere, pretty much anything will do.

This isn't a mandatory future career we're embarking on here. We merely walk a path because any momentum is essential for any progress, and because standing still will only cause us to deteriorate.

Also, if at any point we feel like changing directions, we can always do that. And we will have gathered valuable experience for our onward journey.

ACTION ITEM:

Write down at least three things you'd like to answer the next time someone gives you the happy-go-lucky attitude of just do it.

No need to be belligerent. Just think about what you'd most of all want people to understand, and use that as a benchmark.

Optionally, if what you need might be direction, write down three things you'd might want to pursue. List any pros and cons beneath each one. If you have no interests whatsoever, take comfort in the fact that you likely have worlds of undiscovered interests ahead.

http://ezinearticles.com/?We-Need-a-More-Nuanced-Way-of-Saying-Just-Do-It&id=9725349

5 Ways in Which Exercise Aids Recovery

When a person gets addicted to an illegal substance, he or she constantly craves the substance at the expense of everything else in life. At times, people fighting substance abuse may even disregard their physical and mental health, exposing themselves to the harmful effects of addiction. When abusing drugs, such people do not focus on their actions or choices, which, in turn, leads to irreparable damage to their physical and mental health.

However, when a compulsive alcohol or drug user decides to lead a sober life, he or she faces innumerable challenges in combating the constant cravings for addictive substances and lead a normal life.

Studies show that indulging in healthy habits, such as regular exercise or eating a healthy diet, can pave the way for overall well being, such as improving blood circulation, strengthening the heart, maintaining weight, relieving stress and sharpening the mind.

For a person recovering from any sort of addiction, physical exercise can play a key role in uplifting the mood and maintaining overall health. Apart from helping in the release of endorphins, which the body craves during recovery, exercise repairs the psychological and physical damage of chemical dependency caused by alcohol or drug abuse.

Here are some benefits that a person can gain by exercising while recovering from an addiction:

1. Keeping oneself busy: One of the major benefits of exercising on a regular basis is that it keeps the person busy and helps focus on the present. Exercising on a regular basis keeps stress and boredom at bay and helps avoid thoughts of using alcohol or drugs.
2. Relieving stress: Stress and tension can result from several situations in life, such as work pressure, deteriorating health or substance abuse. Exercising can help the body get rid of stress and negative emotions. It is important to get moving and start physical exercise since avoiding it might increase the chances of the person opting for unhealthy ways to get rid of the stress and tension such as relapsing to drug and alcohol use.
3. Enhancing natural levels of endorphins: When a person abuses alcohol, it releases endorphins, the neurotransmitters in the brain, that create euphoria. However, using it for a long period of time causes dependency and creates a chemical imbalance that interferes with the person's ability to feel pleasure, happiness and satisfaction.A better way to enable the release of these hormones is by exercising regularly. Regular physical activity assists in restoring the natural levels of endorphins in the body.
4. Inculcating a better outlook: Exercising on a regular basis helps one develop a positive outlook toward life. It not only helps in boosting the person's self-confidence but also instills positivity.
5. Healing body and mind: Engaging in physical activity protects a person, especially those recovering from an addiction to alcohol, against deadly diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, etc. When a person in recovery exercises every day, it increases the number of new nerve connections in the brain that helps heal better from the effects of substance use.

Seeking professional help

Alcoholism not only affects the physical and mental health of a person but also those related to that person. It is important to note that alcohol addiction is a disease that can be treated.

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Ways-in-Which-Exercise-Aids-Recovery&id=9640260

Six Stress-Busters That Will Ease Your Stress At Work

                

Does your heart beat faster at work and you have trouble sleeping at night? Those are just a couple of symptoms for work-induced stress. Other indications of being stressed at work include headaches, tense muscles, upset stomach, feeling fatigued all the time, and even experiencing chest pains.

Workers often take those symptoms for granted. But these danger signs can be more serious than you think. Deadly serious in fact.

What worries you the most about work and life?

Harvard and Stanford researchers last October found that workplace tension could take from six months to three years off your life. The study cut across many kinds of jobs and income levels. A couple of big worries held by all of the groups surveyed were the fear of losing a job and health insurance.

"If we're living in a constant state off fight or flight," says wellness coach Emily Soares Proctor in a printed report, "the stress response happens over and over again, chronically upsetting your entire system and creating the environment for exhaustion and disease."

While you might question one of the survey's "findings"-that workplace stress can take months or years off your life-both Proctor and the Harvard survey agree on one thing: you must take action by taking steps to reduce workplace stress.

It's normal to experience some stress at work. But too much of it lowers your productivity along with your physical and emotional well-being. As mentioned previously, you need to deal with it. "Managing stress is the key to reversing these outcomes," concludes the Harvard/Stanford survey.

Can workplace stress be managed and ameliorated?

Of course it can. But you need to take the responsibility by blowing off steam in healthy ways by using stress-busters (SBs) that work for you.

Before listing some of the SBs, let's take a look at self-induced stress from drinking, drugging, or smoking. Those symptoms are the easiest to cure. That's because all you need to do is stop doing what's causing the symptoms. If you're having trouble quitting something, join a self-help group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Six powerful stress-busters that allow you to blow off steam in healthy ways

SB #1: EXERCISE. It's a powerful stress reliever and makes you feel better. Find an exercise-like walking, swimming, cycling, or working out at a gym-that acts as a stress buster that works for you. You can even do some simple stretching exercises at your desk. It's well known that exercise helps you deal with stress.

SB #2. Listen to music-the kind that soothes you.

SB #3. TAKE A NAP or meditate. I've discovered twenty minutes of meditating during the day provides more energy and makes me feel more refreshed than napping.

SB #4. READ A BOOK that interests you. When I was a college freshman, I found a paperback novel lying around the dorm and found that reading a few pages between periods of study and at odd moments during the day relaxed my mind. I still read for relaxation.

SB#5. TALK TO SOMEONE you trust or see a mental health practitioner.

SB#6. BE WILLING TO QUIT YOUR JOB and start searching for another. Even if you don't quit, a willingness to do so will ease your tension. Why? Because you committed to doing something about it and believe that relief is in sight.

The reversal of stress symptoms

I've already mentioned that you-not your boss-are responsible for reversing your symptoms. Your employer doesn't give a hang about your job satisfaction or the trajectory of your career. Whether your workplace stress is created by conditions surrounding your work-like a crazy boss-or self induced by how you think, live, and manage your work environment, you are responsible for fixing it.

Don't give up this responsibility.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Six-Stress-Busters-That-Will-Ease-Your-Stress-At-Work&id=9453519

How the Brain Works to Learn New Skills

The way science, sports, and education approach learning new skills does not follow the way our brain works. Science now knows the brain is a complex neurological organism that rewires itself as it learns and refines skills, but the science of how the brain learns has not been integrated into the lexicon yet.

Academia teaches as if the conscious, thinking part of the brain can learn by itself. The thinking part of the brain evolved after the older, sensory brain.

All input to the thinking brain comes from the sensory brain. In fact, the sensory brain processes millions of bits of information in any given moment, but sends just a fraction of that data (16 - 40 bits) to the thinking brain.

The sensory brain receives its information from the body, through the senses: what we hear, see, touch, taste, smell, and what touches us.

How are the senses activated? By movement. Science confirms all information the brain processes is through movement. Some neuroscientists such as Daniel Wolpert Ph.D. go so far as to say the only reason the brain exists is because we move.

Neuroscientists such as Michael Merzenich, Ph.D. have studied the correlation of movement with how we think. In one experiment he showed that as a skill is learned fewer irrelevant parts of the body are used, and that as the movements become more precise and refined, neurons fire faster. He further showed that the faster neurons fire, the faster we think. Another important study Merzenich conducted showed that our ability to think more clearly directly correlates with the quality of our movements.

How do we determine the quality of our movements? Science identifies which muscles should be used during a movement such as a golf swing. Sports and exercise focus on which muscles to use during an activity as well. The problem is if you are using the correct muscles to perform an action you feel nothing. Why would your brain need to let you know if you are using the "right"muscles? The focus should be on what muscles you feel and whether you are limited in some way during an action. Feeling the burn is your brain sending alarm signals to stop doing the movement in the same way. When you feel stiff, sore, discomfort, or pain your brain is telling you to change the way you are moving.

Science and sports/fitness focus on isolated parts of the body such as just using the biceps in a weight-training curl. The brain is concerned about how the entire structure is balancing through every movement such that the body is constantly adjusting. In addition every movement should travel through the structure such that no movement is isolated to a particular component (such as a lower arm). Great rock climbers know that to establish an effective hand hold they must be relaxed through the wrist, elbow and shoulder joint to allow the rest of the body to support the hold. Doing isolated movements to strengthen some parts of the body may unintentionally cause limitations to a particular skill. Every activity you do should be about how your entire body moves within it.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-the-Brain-Works-to-Learn-New-Skills&id=9408080

7 Ways to Turn Around A Bad Mood (By Carrie Greene)

I met Valerie at the Charlotte Airport.

She welcomed me to the "Happy Zone" when I walked into a store to get a bottle of water.

I found my drink and went to the register where Valerie waited. She said, "Welcome to the Happy Zone" again, and rang up my purchase with a huge smile on her face.

I smiled back and commented that she was clearly in a great mood. Her response was simple and direct. She told me it wouldn't be the Happy Zone if she wasn't happy.

I was in a fine mood when I walked in. When I walked out, I had a broad smile on my face. I was truly happy.

Valerie's mood was contagious in the moment, and here I am writing about her after-the-fact and smiling at the memory. You can bet that, if I find myself in Terminal E in the Charlotte airport again, I'll stop in at the Happy Zone to see if Valerie is there.

We went to a nice restaurant to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. Our waiter was great. He came over with a big smile. He wished Jo a happy birthday, took our drink orders and told us about the specials. One of the appetizers interested me and I asked him about it. He started to respond but before he could finish his sentence I said, "Never mind. You don't think it is good. I don't want it." Even though he was saying all the right words I could tell he did not think it was good. What he believed rubbed off on me. I trusted him.

Your opinions and moods are contagious and your clients and prospects are immediately influenced by them.

If you're happy, your client will sense it, and their mood will lighten.

If you believe in something your client is doing, they will believe in themselves.

Your mood has the power to influence everyone around you. I'm sure that you've walked into rooms where everyone seems to be dragging and before you know it, you're dragging too. And I'm also sure that you've walked into situations where the exact opposite was true. Everyone felt excited, energized, happy, and ready to take on something huge, and before you knew what was happening, you were right there with them.

Your mood can help a prospect decide to work with you. Your mood can help a client go beyond what they believe to be possible.

Being an entrepreneur is hard and being in a good mood and feeling positive all the time is tough. Here are my favorite ways to turn my mood around so that I can help others turn their mood around.

1. Step outside. There is nothing like fresh air to relax you. Look at the trees. Look at the sky. Take in nature for just a few minutes.
2. Change your view. Are you cooped up in your office all day? Change rooms, go to a coffee shop, or head to the library.
3. Stand up and stretch. Exercise is so important. It doesn't have to be much, just move your body and shake up the energy.
4. Stay well fed and watered. Are you the type of person who gets so wrapped up in what you're doing that you forget to eat? Keep snacks and a bottle of water at your desk. Are you the type of person who snacks mindlessly? Make sure you have snacks nearby that support you. Bottom line, eat well and keep hydrated.
5. Take one action on something that has been hanging over you. A little success can turn everything around. Where can you get a little traction? What is one step that you can do that will move the big project forward just a little bit?
6. Reach out to someone you know is smiling. Talk with a friend, colleague or mentor who believes in you and can help you get back on track.
7. Smile even if you're not feeling it. Our brains are not that smart. If we engage the muscles that make us smile, our brains believe we are happy and we become happy.

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Ways-to-Turn-Around-A-Bad-Mood&id=9369216