How our Thoughts and Emotions Affect our Health

Thoughts are mental cognitions—our ideas, opinions, and beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. They include the perspectives we bring to any situation or experience, which color our point of view (for better, worse, or neutral). An example of a long-lived thought is an attitude, which develops as thoughts are repeated over and over and reinforced. While thoughts are shaped by life experiences, genetics, and education, they are generally under conscious control. In other words, if you are aware of your thoughts and attitudes, you can choose to change them.

It may be useful to think of emotions as the flow and experience of feelings. These can include (but are not limited to) joy, sadness, anger, or fear and can be triggered by something external (from seeing a friend suffer to watching a movie) or something internal (an upsetting memory). While emotions are universal, each person may experience them and respond to them in a different way. Some people may struggle with understanding what emotion they are experiencing.

Emotions serve to connect us with others and help cultivate strong social bonds. This may be the evolutionary purpose of emotions—people who were able to form strong bonds and emotional ties become a part of a community and were more likely to find the support and protection necessary for survival. Emotions are "contagious." We have a tendency to mimic each other’s outward states (for example, by smiling when someone smiles at us), and our outward states can affect our internal ones (smiling can actually make you feel happy!).

Emotions can also be influenced by other factors:

Cultural traditions and beliefs can affect the way a group or an individual expresses emotions. There are some cultures in which it is deemed "bad manners" to express emotions in a way that may be considered healthy and appropriate in other cultures.

 

Genetics (or, more specifically, brain and personality structure, including self-control) can affect the emotional expression of an individual or family. (While a person’s genetic makeup cannot be altered, the brain is another story, according to neuroscientist Richard Davidson. He has identified six distinct "emotional styles" that are based upon the structure of our brains but can be re-shaped with practice.)

 

Physical conditions: Brain tumors, strokes, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and thyroid disorders, can cause a person’s emotional responses to change dramatically.

Thoughts and emotions have a profound effect on one another. Thoughts can trigger emotions (worrying about an upcoming job interview may cause fear) and also serve as an appraisal of that emotion ("this isn’t a realistic fear"). In addition, how we attend to and appraise our lives has an effect on how we feel. For example, a person with a fear of dogs is likely hyperattentive of the dog across the street and appraises the approach of the dog as threatening, which leads to emotional distress. Another person who appraises the dog’s approach as friendly will have a very different emotional response to the same situation.

"People the world over have different ideas, beliefs, and opinions—different thoughts—but they have very similar, if not identical, feelings."

Changing thoughts and emotions
 We tend to believe that emotions are just "part of us" and can’t be changed. Research, however, has established that emotions are malleable. They can be changed by altering an external situation (divorcing an abusive spouse), shifting our attention (choosing to focus on a more positive aspect of a situation), and by re-appraising a situation (the upcoming test is an opportunity for learning, not an assessment of my personal worth).

How we choose to live our lives has tremendous power over the way we feel every day. Certain types of mental training, such as meditation, or positive thinking, can affect our perceptions of the world and make us feel calmer, more resilient, and happier. Other researchers have identified many other helpful attitudes—such as forgiveness, gratitude, and kindness—that can be cultivated with practice.

Negativity and physical health

 Chronic stress from negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can upset the body's hormone balance and deplete the brain chemicals required for feelings of happiness, as well as have a damaging impact on the immune system. New scientific understandings have also identified the process by which chronic stress can actually decrease our lifespan by shortening our telomeres (the "end caps" of our DNA strands, which play a big role in aging).

Poorly managed or repressed anger (hostility) is also related to a slew of health conditions, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, and infection.

Emotions that are freely experienced and expressed without judgment or attachment tend to flow fluidly. On the other hand, repressed emotions (especially fearful or negative ones) can zap mental energy and hope and lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure or digestive disorders.

Therefore, it's important for us to recognize and identify our thoughts and emotions, and to be aware of the impact they have—not only on each other, but also on our bodies, behavior, and relationships. As our awareness increases, we find it easier to recognize what we are thinking, how we are feeling, and our attitude towards the experience. We can then choose to adjust our thoughts and emotional responses.

The importance of positivity
 Positive emotions have two important effects: they broaden our perspective of the world (thus inspiring more creativity, wonder, and options), and they build up over time, creating lasting emotional resilience and flourishing.

Dr. Fredrickson has spent years researching and publishing the physical and emotional benefits of positivity, including faster recovery from cardiovascular stress, better sleep , fewer colds, and a greater sense of overall happiness. The good news is not only that positive attitudes—such as playfulness, gratitude, awe, love, interest, serenity, and feeling connected to others—have a direct impact on health and wellbeing, but that we can develop them ourselves with practice.

However, in our wish to defend against threat and loss in life, we tend to prioritize bad over good. While this is a tidy survival mechanism for someone who needs to stay hyper vigilant in a dangerous environment, the truth is that for most of us, this "negativity bias" means that we spend time ruminating over the minor frustrations we experience—bad traffic, a disagreement with a loved one—and ignoring the many chances we have to experience wonder, awe, and gratitude throughout the day.

Fredrickson has calculated that in order to offset the negativity bias and experience a harmonious emotional state, we need to experience three positive emotions for every negative one. This, she claims, can be done intentionally for those of us less "wired" to positivity. These positive emotions literally reverse the physical effects of negativity and build up psychological resources that contribute to a flourishing life.



Forgiveness
 The attitude of forgiveness—fully accepting that a negative circumstance has occurred and relinquishing negative feelings surrounding the event—can be learned and can lead us to experience better mental, emotional and physical health. The Stanford Forgiveness Project trained 260 adults in forgiveness in a 6-week course.
70% reported a decrease in their feelings of hurt
13% experienced reduced anger
27% experienced fewer physical complaints (for example, pain, dizziness, etc.)
The practice of forgiveness has also been linked to better immune function and a longer lifespan. Other studies have shown that forgiveness has more than just a metaphorical effect on the heart: it can actually lower our blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health as well.

Gratitude
 Acknowledging the good aspects of life and giving thanks have a powerful impact on emotional wellbeing. In a landmark study, people who were asked to count their blessings felt happier, exercised more, had fewer physical complaints, and slept better than those who created lists of hassles.

Brené Brown has found that there is a relationship between joy and gratitude, but with a surprising twist: it’s not joy that makes us grateful, but gratitude that makes us joyful.

Emotional resilience
 Dr. Andrew Weil describes resilience as being like a rubber band—no matter how far a resilient person is stretched or pulled by negative emotions, he or she has the ability to bounce back to his or her original state. Resilient people are able to experience tough emotions like pain, sorrow, frustration, and grief without falling apart—in fact, some people are able to look at challenging times with optimism and hope, knowing that their hardships will lead to personal growth and an expanded outlook on life.

Resilient people do not deny the pain or suffering they are experiencing; rather, they retain a sense of positivity that helps them overcome the negative effects of their situation. Positive emotions have a scientific purpose—to help the body recover from the ill effects of negative emotions. Thus cultivating positivity over time can help us become more resilient in the face of crisis or stress.

　

How to overcoming jealousy and envy feelings for your health

Jealousy can stand in the way of living your life as a secure and fulfilled individual. Though it's a natural emotion, you can learn to control the negative aspects of jealousy and envy.


Jealousy and Envy: What's the Difference?

The words jealousy and envy are often used interchangeably, but they are two very different emotions:

• Jealousy involves a perceived or actual rivalry in which two people are vying for an object of longing — a love interest, a promotion at work, or a good friend, for example. The jealous person feels a sense of betrayal and also a sense of potential loss, because his rival stands to gain something he will lose.

• Envy involves looking with longing at someone whose circumstances appear better than your own. There's no rivalry involved; rather, you just wish you had what the other person has. The person experiencing envy has an intense sense of deprivation, and ruminates over the unfairness of his situation.

Most people view jealousy and envy as very negative emotions, and with good reason. Who could possibly enjoy the terrible gnawing feeling in their gut as a loved one flirts with another suitor, or a colleague appears to be in line to take your job, or a friend starts spending less time with you because he’s hanging out with another friend?


In fact, researchers believe there's more to jealousy and envy than just a lack of control over one's emotions. They theorize that these feelings are rooted deep in the evolution of the human species, and as such, form a fundamental part of human nature. Understanding and overcoming your jealousy and envy can be a way of better understanding yourself and what drives you, and ultimately can make you a healthier, more well-rounded person.
Self-esteem is at the root of both emotions. A person reacts with jealousy when his self-esteem  is threatened by a potential loss of something or someone he holds dear, and with envy when his self-worth is threatened by comparing his situation with that of someone enjoying better circumstances.

Researchers also believe there is an evolutionary component to human jealousy and envy. Mammals survive and succeed when they are able to gather enough resources to provide them better health and longer life. They are able to pass on their genetic traits when they best their rivals for a desired mate. These feelings have not left us, even though we have become more sophisticated in our development.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, this embedded and inherited "green-eyed monster" can wreak havoc on our lives and relationships if not controlled:

Friends often find themselves unable to maintain their relationship with a jealous person. They become disturbed by the constant sniping at other friends with whom they spend time, or by the possessiveness of the jealous person. They come to view the jealous person as negative, unpleasant, and out of control.

Romantic partners may feel threatened or frightened by a person's jealousy — and with good reason, since jealousy often is cited as a reason for abuse of partners or spouses. A jealous person may end up losing the person he loves through uncontrolled jealousy, as his significant other reacts to his possessiveness by pulling away.

Colleagues at work can develop a lot of ill will toward a person who is envious of their success or jealous of their relative advancement. The jealous or envious person tends to be peevish and brittle. He tends to spread negative gossip about the person toward whom he feels jealousy or envy, in an attempt to "take them down a peg." A jealous or envious person also may become boastful, trying to inflate himself to mask his insecurity.

 

 

Coping With Jealousy and Envy

Overcoming jealousy and envy means involves a lot of self-awareness. When feeling these emotions, you should:

• Take a step back. Start by understanding that these are normal and natural emotions, hard-wired into our being. Acknowledge that you are feeling jealous or envious. Also understand that this is ultimately your problem, not anyone else's, as it is your own threatened self-esteem that's prompting the emotions. Overcoming jealousy is up to you.

Figure out the reason for your jealousy or envy. Is it another suitor threatening your relationship with your lover? Is it a work competitor about to best you for a coveted promotion? Keep in mind that just these things may not be real; they may just be something you've perceived.

Be aware of the potential negative actions your jealousy or envy could inspire. Resist the urge to control or stalk your romantic partner, "trash-talk" your rival, or become sullen and bitter over the unfairness of it all. These are all tempting options in the throes of jealousy, but could ultimately cost you the object of your desire.

Take positive action to solve the source of your jealousy or envy. Communicate your jealousy to your partner, so he knows where you're coming from and can tell you if your feelings are groundless. You might also take steps to make your loved one more desirous of you, by figuring out and addressing the things she needs that your rival might be providing and you aren't (romance, conversation, attention). At work, figure out what the person you envy is doing to enjoy his success, and try to emulate or even improve upon those actions. In both cases, you are removing the need for jealousy or envy by improving yourself.

 

Jealousy and envy are incredibly strong emotions, and aren't easily dealt with. But by tackling these feelings with open communication and a desire to improve and better yourself, you can use them to spur you on to success, rather than mire you in bitterness.

Savoring the big and little joys in your daily life increases self-esteem and may even protect against negative emotions, creating a buffer againsts Jealousy stress and envy. This particular habit includes reminiscing about happy times in your past, enjoying the little details of your daily life, taking time for a unique pleasure or a moment of beauty and allowing yourself to fully appreciate even the bittersweet moments. You might want to create a "happiness album" of pleasurable memories.

 

 

How stress affects your health

What is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus. This is known as the “fight or flight” or mobilization stress response and is your body’s way of protecting you.
 

When stress is within your comfort zone, it can help you to stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. Stress can also help you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV. But beyond your comfort zone, stress stops being helpful and can start causing major damage to your mind and body.

The body’s stress response

When you need (or think you need) to defend yourself or run away from danger, your body prepares for mobilization. The nervous system rouses for emergency action—preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.
 

If mobilization fails, the body freezes instead, a response known as immobilization. In extreme, life-threatening situations, you may even lose consciousness, enabling you to survive high levels of physical pain. This can leave you traumatized or unable to move on.

The effects of chronic stress

The body’s nervous system often does a poor job of distinguishing between daily stressors and life-threatening events. If you’re stressed over an argument with a friend, a traffic jam on your commute, or a mountain of bills, for example, your body can still react as if you’re facing a life-or-death situation.
 

When you repeatedly experience the mobilization or fight-or-flight stress response in your daily life, it can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can shut down your immune system, upset your digestive and reproductive systems, raise blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, speed up the aging process and leave you vulnerable to many mental and physical health problems.

Health problems caused or exacerbated by stress include:

•  Depression and anxiety                                                Pain of any kind
•  Weight problems                                                          Heart disease
• Auto immune diseases                                                   Digestive problems
• Skin conditions, such as eczema                                   Sleep problems
• Reproductive issues                                     Cognitive and memory problems      

Signs and symptoms of chronic stress or stress overload

The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of chronic stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.

Cognitive Symptoms   

•  Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
• Poor judgment
• Seeing only the negative
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Constant worrying 

Emotional Symptoms  

• Depression or general unhappiness
• Anxiety and agitation
• Moodiness, irritability, or anger
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Loneliness and isolation
• Other mental or emotional health problems 

 

Physical Symptoms   

• Aches and pains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds or flu  

Behavioral Symptoms   

• Eating more or less
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Withdrawing from others
• Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
• Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
• Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing) 

Causes of stress

The factors that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. However, anything that puts high demands on you can be stressful. This includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a promotion.

Of course, not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be internal or self-generated, when you worry excessively about something that may or may not happen, or have irrational, pessimistic thoughts about life.

Common external causes of stress   

• Major life changes
• Work or school
• Relationship difficulties
• Financial problems
• Being too busy
• Children and family

 
Stress tolerance: How much stress is too much?

We're all different. Some people seem to be able to roll with life’s punches, while others tend to crumble in the face of small obstacles or frustrations. Some people even thrive on the excitement of a high-stress lifestyle. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more time and enjoy listening to music while they drive.

Common internal causes of stress   

• Chronic worry
• Pessimism
• Negative self-talk
• Unrealistic expectations/Perfectionism
• Rigid thinking, lack of flexibility
• All-or-nothing attitude 

Your resiliency to stress depends on many factors, but there are steps you can take to improve your tolerance and handle more setbacks and challenges without becoming overwhelmed by stress.

Finding the relaxation technique that’s best for you

There is no single relaxation technique that is best for everyone. When choosing a relaxation technique, consider your specific needs, preferences, fitness, and the way you tend to react to stress. The right relaxation technique is the one that resonates with you, fits your lifestyle, and is able to focus your mind and interrupt your everyday thoughts in order to elicit the relaxation response. In many cases, you may find that alternating or combining different techniques will keep you motivated and provide you with the best results.



How you react to stress may influence the relaxation technique that works best for you:

The "fight" response. If you tend to become angry, agitated, or keyed up under stress, you will respond best to stress relief activities that quiet you down, such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, or guided imagery.

• The "flight" response. If you tend to become depressed, withdrawn, or spaced out under stress, you will respond best to stress relief activities that are stimulating and energize your nervous system, such as rhythmic exercise, massage, mindfulness, or power yoga.

The immobilization response. If you’ve experienced some type of trauma and tend to "freeze" or become "stuck" under stress, your challenge is to first rouse your nervous system to a fight or flight response (above) so you can employ the applicable stress relief techniques. To do this, choose physical activity that engages both your arms and legs, such as running, dancing, or tai chi, and perform it mindfully, focusing on the sensations in your limbs as you move.

 


Breathe Away Your Stress and Boost Your Health

Stress is a well-documented contributor to accelerated aging and degeneration. (3) Nose breathing may reduce stress, and thus deliver numerous health benefits that are linked to an increase in parasympathetic activity. Many other profound health-promoting pathways from nose breathing are being discovered, and there are possibly even more on the horizon as more studies are being done!

Nose breathing boosts nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a powerful immune-boosting molecule that is produced in the sinuses during nose (not mouth) breathing. The discovery of this molecule won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry as a result of its important health benefits. (4)

Nose breathing activates the vagus nerve, which triggers the rest, digest, and de-stress nervous system response. (1,2) The vagus nerve is also the main pathway used by the gut-brain axis that links the microbiome with brain, mood and cognitive function. (2)

 Deep nose breathing that activates the parasympathetic nervous system also stimulates baroreflexes in the blood vessels that are mediated through the emotional centers in the brain. For example, your blood pressure will go up when you are under emotional stress. This effect not only supports healthy blood pressure, but is also linked to emotional resiliency and mood stability. (2)

Nose Breathing and Performance

Numerous studies suggest that nose breathing has a positive effect on athletic performance. Here are some of the performance benefits related to nose breathing exercise:

• Improved lower lung gas exchange (2)
• Improved brain wave coherence (1,5)
• Increased alpha wave activity (1,5)
• Decreased perceived exertion or stress during exercise (5)
• Increased endurance (5)
• Increased parasympathetic activity (1,2,5)

Breathing Matters

It was reported that the nose breathing military regiments had better immunity than the mouth breathing regiments. Now, we know that nose breathing boosts nitric oxide production, which is linked to better respiratory immunity. (4)


　
Today, we have the science to prove that these ancient techniques actually did deliver better performance. (1,2,5)

Modern science is only beginning to understand the health benefits of deep nose breathing.  Since we all breathe 26,000 times a day, let’s learn how to do it right to glean the maximum physical, mental and performance benefits out of each breath.

This breathing exercise takes only a few seconds, no matter where you are. It is particularly helpful at stressful times, and also practise it at regular intervals throughout the day.




"Nose Breathing Is Key for Good Health and Stress Management"



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Heart’s Intelligence

The recent discovery of the “little brain” in the heart, however, and the benefits it affords us tells us that to make such a shift is certainly worth the effort. It’s the journey that takes us out of the either-or polarity thinking of the brain, and into the intuitive knowing of our heart. And while the ability to do so would be empowering for us at any time, it is especially so now, in our lifetime of converging extremes.

We’ve all Heard the adage that the only constant in life is change. We’ve also heard that change can be one of the most stressful experiences we face in life. And it’s that stress of change that biologists tell us is the trigger for new ways of thinking and living—the evolutionary transformation that makes us better people, creates stronger families and communities, and ultimately promises our survival as a species. The formula is clear: the bigger the shift, the greater the transformation.

We’re living the shift from creating our lives based upon the way our MINDS see the world to a new way of thinking and living based upon the way our HEARTS and minds sense the World.

What’s important here is that whatever change life brings to your doorstep, it’s only a problem if you don’t know how to embrace it in a healthy way. As you learn to merge the senses of your heart and the logic of your brain into a single potent system, you empower yourself to beneficially manage change in your life.

Exercise: How to Ask Your Heart a Question
Your heart’s intelligence is with you always. It’s constant. You can trust it. It’s important to acknowledge this, because it means that the wisdom of your heart—the answers to the deepest and most mysterious questions of life that no one else can answer—already exists within you. Rather than something that needs to be built or created before it can be used, the link between your heart and the place that holds your answers is already established. It’s been with you since the time you were born and has never left you. It’s up to you as to when you choose to access that link as a “hotline” to the deepest truths of your life. It’s also up to you as to how you apply the wisdom of your heart in the reality of your everyday life.

5 Steps to Learn to Trust Your Gut – Learning The Language Of Resilience From The Heart:

Step 1: Focus Your Heart

Action: Allow your awareness to move from your mind to the area of your heart.

Result: This sends a signal to your heart that a shift has taken place—you are no longer engaged in the world around you and are now becoming aware of the world within you.

Step 2: Slow Your Breathing (breathing through your nose and not your mouth)

Action: Begin to breathe a little more slowly than usual, allowing five to six seconds for your inhale and exhale.

Result: This simple step sends a second signal to your body that you are safe and in a place that supports your process. Deep, slow breathing has long been known to stimulate a relaxation response of the nervous system (the parasympathetic response).


Step 3: Feel a Rejuvenating Feeling

Action: To the best of your ability, feel a genuine sense of caring, appreciation, gratitude, or compassion for anything or anyone.

Result: The key to success here is for your feeling to be as sincere and heartfelt as possible. As described previously, it’s the quality of this feeling that fine-tunes and optimizes the coherence between your heart and your brain. While everyone is capable of this experience, it’s one of those processes that you may need to experiment with to find what works best for you.



Step 4: Ask Your Heart Intelligence a Question

Action: The previous three steps create the harmony between your brain and your heart that enables you to tap into your heart’s wisdom. As you continue to breathe and hold the focus in your heart, this is the time to ask your question.

Result: Heart intelligence generally works best when the questions are brief and to the point. Remember, your heart doesn’t need a preface or the history of a situation before the question. Ask your question silently as a single concise sentence and then allow your heart’s wisdom to respond in a way that works for you.


Step 5: Listen

Action: Become aware of how your body feels immediately as you are asking your question. Make a note of any sensations such as warmth, tingling, ringing of the ears, and emotions that may arise. Everyone learns and experiences uniquely. There is no correct or incorrect way of receiving your heart’s wisdom. The key here is to know what works best for you.

Result: For people who are already attuned to their bodies’ and their hearts’ intelligence, this step is the easiest part of the process. For those who may have less experience in listening to their bodies, this is an exercise in awareness.

Now you have a step-by-step technique to help you feel empowered in the face of life’s greatest challenges.

While you probably can’t change the situations that arrive at your doorstep, you can definitely change the way to feel and respond to those situations.

If you haven’t already done so, you may discover that your ability to access the wisdom of your heart, on demand, becomes a good friend to you and one of your greatest sources of strength in life. The consistency and accuracy of heart-based solutions empower you to face any situation, meet with any person or force, with a confidence that’s hard to find when you feel helpless, overwhelmed, powerless, and lost.

The time is now… cultivate your power to THRIVE in life.

In this video with Greg Braden, you'll learn how the heart-brain connection works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_2EKIG_zEg

 

I recommend to see this video!!

The Key To Live Your Life!

 

 

• How do you feel about your life today? Are you living every day in exuberance? Do you LOVE what you’re doing? Are you excited every single moment? Are you looking forward to what’s coming up next? Are you living your best life? If your answer to any of the above is a no, maybe or not sure, that means you’re not living your life to the fullest.

• "Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma,which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they some how already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

• Stop sleep walking through life.Your life is something to be experienced, not coasted through. " The struggle of life is one of our greatest blessings. It makes us patient, sensitive, positive etc  . It teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."

• Know your inner self. This means knowing who you are and what you represent. Be clear of your personal identity.You are not responsible for what people think about you. But you are responsible for what you give them to think about you.

• "The past is an experience! The present is an experiment! The future is expectations! Use your experience in your experiment to achieve your expectations!"

 

• The mystery of life is not a problem to solve, but a reality to experience."

 

 

• Focus on WHAT vs. How.Focus on WHAT you want first, before you think about HOW to do it. Anything is possible, as longas you set your mind, heart and soul to it. Live like there is no tomorrow! Constantly move forwardand appreciate the motivation for your existence! Never give up and never look back! Choose to make a meaningful difference in your life and the life of others.

• You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high.Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times,and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give.

• Be committed to your growth.The higher level of consciousness you are in, the richer your life experience. Achieving higher consciousness comes from your commitment to growth. Allowing your self to be inspired and you will take passionate action. Inspiration can really work magic in your life if you let it.

 

• Don’t be held back by what happened yesterday, the day before, the week before,the year before, and so on. All glory comes from daring to begin. Your time is now. So begin! 

The act of self-compassion becomes the art of self-love. In other words, we must learn to find a deep and profound love for our inner-being. This first begins with surrendering the attachments of the material world we are conditioned to believe in—in lieu of an attachment to our inner-self. It is what I coin "internal life." It doesn’t mean being narcissistic, but rather believing that we are enough. Sometimes, it can be as simple as giving ourselves a break and not having to have all the answers— it is learning to live in the "in between." When we learn to live within—we will never live without.

Each human being’s spiritual journey is as unique as their foot print. We cannot judge others path against our own. While at times, it is far too easy to compare ourselves and our evolution with those around us—know this my friends—when it is time for your spirit to awaken—it will. We all have lessons to learn here on this dimension. Trust your core being and know if YOU chose these lessons—then you also chose the time for these lessons to be revealed. Be patient and learn to master the art of living in the moment. When we are living in the moment, then we are truly living a spiritual life.

"Be your best self, live your best life."

 

 

 

 

 

Coconut Health Benefits

Coconut water is packed with antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc.

 

 

 

To reap the maximum health benefits, opt for fresh and pure coconut water over the bottled version. You can drink a few cups (1 to 4 cups) of coconut water a day or add it to your smoothie recipes.

　


The micronutrients in coconut water help boost the immune system. Plus, the plant hormones called cytokinins in this health drink exhibit anti-aging, antithrombotic and anticancer effects.

　


Here are the top 8 health benefits of coconut water:

　



1. Rehydrates the Body
Coconut water is an excellent thirst quencher to beat tropical summer thirst. Because of its electrolyte composition, coconut water is also used to rehydrate the body in case of dehydration and fluid loss due to diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating. A good source of carbohydrates, it also helps lift your energy level.

Research suggests that coconut water can be used to rehydrate the body after exercise. In fact, a 2012 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that coconut water has a similar positive effect as sports drinks.

In addition to boosting rehydration, coconut water is also easy on the stomach and thus is used to soothe tummy troubles like indigestion, acid reflux and gastroenteritis.

　


2. Treats Headaches
Most headaches, even migraines, are triggered by dehydration. In such cases, coconut water can be of great help in supplying electrolytes to the body and boosting hydration.

Coconut water is also rich in magnesium. People who suffer from migraines often have low levels of magnesium. Studies also suggest that magnesium can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks


　

3. Natural Diuretic
Coconut water acts as a natural diuretic. Thus, it promotes urine production and flow,cleaning your body of toxins. It also helps prevent problems like urinary tract infections.

Due to its high potassium content, coconut water helps alkalize urine and dissolves certain types of kidney stones to eventually flush them out of the body.

To increase its effectiveness, add a pinch of sea salt to a cup of coconut water and drink it once or twice a day. In addition to its diuretic properties, coconut water has antibacterial properties that help fight bladder infections.


　

4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Coconut water is considered good for controlling high blood pressure, thanks to its vitamin C, potassium and magnesium content. Potassium, in particular, helps lower blood pressure by balancing out the negative effects of sodium.

A study published in the West Indian Medical Journal in 2005 also found that coconut water helps control hypertension.

To help reduce high blood pressure, drink a cup of fresh coconut water twice a day. Bottled coconut water, however, may not be very beneficial as may be high in sodium.


5. Heart Tonic
Cholesterol- and fat-free tender coconut water offers cardioprotective benefits. It helps lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or the ‘bad’ cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL or the ‘good’ cholesterol) levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.

According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, both tender as well as mature coconut water have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism to counteract increased total cholesterol, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), LDL and triglycerides.

Plus, coconut water has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet properties and helps improve circulation. Thus, it helps reduce plaque formation in the arteries and lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

　

5. Promotes Weight Loss
Coconut water is an ideal drink for weight loss. It is low in calories and easy on the stomach. In fact, this light and refreshing drink contains various bioactive enzymes that aid digestion and boost fat metabolism.

Plus, coconut water is rich in potassium, which helps balance out sodium. Excess sodium in the body tends to cause water retention, contributing to water weight. Thus, coconut water helps flush out excess water as well as toxins from your body.

You can drink an 8-ounce glass of this health drink 3 or 4 times a week to facilitate weight loss. Do not drink coconut water in excess as eventually it may add more calories than you want.


　
6. Balances pH Levels
Stress, toxic load and a diet high in acid-forming foods, such as processed fast foods, often contribute to acidic pH levels that cause low energy and reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals.

Plus, an acidic pH contributes to problems like stressed liver function, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure and immune deficiency.

Coconut water has an alkalizing effect that helps restore a healthy pH in the body. It also helps alkalize the acidic pH levels caused by acidity and heartburn.

　


7. Regulates Blood Sugar
Coconut water contains amino acids and dietary fiber that help regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.

It also helps with common issues faced by people who have diabetes. It helps manage your weight. As it helps improve circulation, coconut water is also good for reducing symptoms like numbness in feet and a tendency to develop atherosclerosis.

A 2012 study published in the journal Food and Function studied the therapeutic effects of mature coconut water and found that it helped decrease blood glucose levels and oxidative stress.

 8. Slows Down Aging

Coconut water contains cytokinins that have anti-aging effects on cells and tissues. This reduces the risk of developing degenerative and age-related diseases.

Refreshing and clear green coconut water also nourishes and hydrates your skin to keep it soft and smooth. In addition to drinking coconut water, you can mix sufficient coconut water with 2 teaspoons of sandalwood powder to make a paste, apply it on your skin and rinse it off when it dries completely to maintain younger-looking skin.


Warnings:
Coconut water may not be suitable for those with nut allergies.
It may cause bloating and mild stomach upset in some people.
Do not drink coconut water for at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery as it may interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery.
People with kidney dysfunction should consult their doctor before including coconut water in their health regimen.

Note! As with most nutritional choices, organic is always better, for starters. Once you’ve found an organic coconut water product, your next step is to look at the ingredients. If you only see “organic coconut water” — congratulations, you’ve found a winning product. Now, some brands may have one or two other ingredients listed, but these can be okay. You just want to avoid any type of “puree” — which is really just a code word for “we added a bunch of sugar.”

Another good litmus test is to see how expensive the product is. Now this won’t always work, but more often than not, the more expensive coconut water products are worth it — meaning, they are higher quality and don’t contain added sugar. This is also seen when it comes to buying organic vegetables or fruits — you may pay more, but the quality increase is almost always worth it.



Drink coconut water and live healthy.
 

Ett gott skratt förlänger livet!

När vi skrattar aktiveras hjärnan och våra två hjärnhalvor kan kommunicera på ett bättre sätt. Pulsen ökar från 70 till 120 slag per minut och sjunker sedan till ca 65 slag per minut. Blodtrycket minskar och antalet stresshormoner sjunker. Dessutom får bröstkorgen motion när du skrattar, de inre organen masseras, din lungkapacitet ökar genom att du pressar ut koldioxid och ny, syrerik luft kan fylla dina lungor.


Barn ler och skrattar i genomsnitt 400 gånger per dag, medan vuxna i genomsnitt bara ler och skrattar 15 gånger per dag. När du förstår hur stor betydelse skrattet har kan du tänka på att hitta situationer, som ger dig tillfällen att skratta. Skratta åt dig själv när något går på tok. Umgås med personer som får dig att skratta. Lägg roliga vitsar på minnet och dela med dig av dem. Lek och skoja med egna eller andras barn. Välj medvetet komedier när du skall se film. Skapa bra stämning hemma och på jobbet.

Visst blir man glad när man skrattar, men skratt betyder mycket mer än så. Ett skratt sätter igång förlopp i kroppen som hjälper dig att hålla dig frisk både fysiskt och psykiskt. Skratta mer och du får ett bättre immunförsvar, färre stresshormoner och du blir bättre på att hantera kriser. Människor som skrattar mycket blir utsatta får färre sjukdomar och löper 50 procents lägre risk att dö i förtid.


Personer med humor lever längre jämfört med de som saknar humor. Humor har liknats vid stötdämparna på en bil. Har du lätt för att skratta, klarar du gropigheterna på livets väg bättre. Humor gör dig också klokare, och det beror enligt forskarna på att människors hjärnor lättare lär sig och kommer ihåg saker – och därmed löser problem – när de har roligt!
När du skrattar utsöndras i hjärnan precis som efter motion. Det förklarar också varför människor som sällan skrattar löper större risk att bli deprimerade. Men skrattet måste komma från äkta glädje – skadeglädje fungerar inte!



　

Så påverkar skrattet:

 

• Du får större lungkapacitet tack vare det höga syreinnehållet i blodet och för att magmusklerna masserar lungorna när du skrattar.

 

• Ditt blodtryck och din vilopuls blir lägre när du utsöndrar färre stresshormoner, och det skonar ditt hjärta och minskar risken för hjärt-kärlsjukdomar.

 

• Du känner ett större välbeffinande, eftersom hjärnan frigör lusthormoner som gör att du mår bra.

 

• Du blir kreativare, eftersom hjärnan inspireras att tänka i nya banor.

 

• Du får bättre minne, lär dig lättare nya saker och löser problem lättare.

 

• Du löper mycket lägre risk att få depression och utveckla negativa tankar.

 

• Du spänner dig mindre i nacke och axlar, eftersom du blir mindre rädd och orolig.

 

• Du får större lungkapacitet tack vare det höga syreinnehållet i blodet och för att magmusklerna masserar lungorna när du skrattar.

 

• Du utsöndrar färre stresshormoner när din kropp utsätts för mycket stress.

 

• Du återhämtar dig också snabbare efter sjukdom.

 

• Du blir bättre på att behålla överblicken och tackla krissituationer.

 

• Du klarar smärta bättre, eftersom du utsöndrar mer endorfin – kroppens eget smärtlindande ämne.

 

• Din matsmältning fungerar bättre och är effektivare, eftersom mer blod strömmar till de inre organen.

 

• Du får tätare relationer med andra personer, eftersom ni har en starkare känsla av samhörighet.

 

• Antalet motmedel och andra ämnen som skyddar dig mot en rad sjukdomar ökar.

 



Här är en video som gör dig glad "Skrattövning"  Klicka på link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5MfO5_LMWs

Önskar dig en dag fylld med  skratt och wellnes! :) :)