Would you change your vacation destination if you learned that being by water can help you refresh and clear your mind? Studies have shown that being around water calms our minds and our bodies. Something even as simple as a nice long shower or bubble bath, the simple act of being in water refreshes our minds. But I know personally, I have never stopped and thought “taking a long shower always helps me relax”, its just an unspoken truth. Wallace J. Nichols, has written a book about his belief that we all have a “blue mind” (a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment) and it is triggered when we are in or near water. In Nichols book, Blue Mind: The surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, Or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, And Better At What You Do. he discusses 6 important benefits of getting in touch with your “Blue Mind”. [Read more…] about Taking a break by the water
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Feeding our Mind
With all the new “Lose 20 Lbs. in 10 days” diets popping up all over, it can be daunting to remain consistent with a healthy diet, when it seems to be as simple as grabbing an apple from the fridge instead of grabbing a handful of Doritos to satisfy our need to snack. The food we put in our body is directly related to what we are feeding our mind. The more unhealthy, the worse we feel and the slower our mind processes things. We all know it is easier said than done and have all had moments when we just don’t care. However, the best way to keep our minds healthy is to keep our bodies healthy at the same time. [Read more…] about Feeding our Mind
A quick thought
Last night I was looking for something to read before bed. I looked over my bookshelf, looking for something that would be comforting and put me to sleep quickly. Perhaps something I had read before, and enjoyed.
As I looked over the variety of books, something happened that happens nearly every time I go to my bookshelf: I see some educational book that I know I should read. I see some somber poetic authors that I should be enriching myself with. While I do enjoy educational books and somber poetry, I had the intent and initial intuition of reading something light and comforting before bed. It’s clear I was wrestling with the part of me that is suspicious of my need. Did I fear that some light reading would dull my mind or lessen my intelligence? I ended up just staring and thumbing through a few books until I got tired and went to bed.
This got me to thinking today about the way we distrust positive feedback that we get from the world and even ourselves. There is this unspoken belief that intelligence leans toward pessimism. In reality, the smartest thing I could have done in that moment would be to pick up a trusted old book that I knew would make me sleepy and be done with it! I certainly don’t need to cram new information into my brain at all hours.. besides, that is not an efficient way to retain knowledge anyways!
Sometimes the smartest thing you can do accept and honor your needs even if they seem small… even when they seem corny… even when you wished they looked smarter.
Visualize Your Way to Love
Each night as we begin to drift towards sleep we pass through a state of natural hypnosis on our way to that sleep. As we awaken we also move through that state-the “bridge” between sleep and the waking state.
One or both of these times a day is a perfect opportunity to put the tool of visualization to work for you, as the mind is most open and powerful then.
Here are 3 easy steps to visualize the kind of relationship you desire, whether to bring new friendships or to you, or to maintain healthy, happy friendships, romances and family relationships.
1. Begin by allowing your mind to clear. Instead of pushing any thoughts out of your mind, simply allow any thoughts to move through your mind, just being aware of those thoughts.
Notice when those thoughts automatically, naturally, begin to slow down. Continue this process until the thoughts have slowed way down.
2. Visualize any aspect of a healthy and happy relationship that you would like to bring into (or bring more of) into your life. For example, you could imagine going somewhere with someone new, or talking and laughing, completely at ease with someone in your life. You could also imagine having an important conversation that would improve a relationship, with all parties involved listening and in agreement, becoming closer.
3. As much as you can, feel the emotions and feelings that you would like to incorporate into the visualization. For example, how would you feel if Mr. or Miss Right came into your life? How would it feel to spend a wonderful time with someone you love? How would it feel to have an important conversation and have it go well?
The subconscious mind takes everything literally, rather than analytically, like the conscious mind. Because of this, you are “training” the subconscious mind to bring you exactly what you want by practicing visualizing what you want! You can do a lot of visualizing in just a very short time, and it is has been proven to be very effective!
Questions about this Technique?
