Think Positively for Better Health

If it’s true we are what we eat, then we are also what we think.

Many studies have shown that maintaining a positive outlook on life affects our physical health, including a Mayo Clinic article that says when we think positive thoughts, our bodies naturally have more vitality by boosting our immune system, providing greater resistance to illness and better coping skills during stressful times. However, if you are feeling depressed for an extended period of time, I suggest you talk with your doctor.

Here are some things you can do to help you think happier thoughts which will in turn lead to better health:

Move Your Body - Physical activity is a great way to help improve your mood.  Walk, jog, swim, go kayaking or rowing, join a group fitness class, work out at a gym or at home using a fitness DVD or put on your favorite music and dance.  You’ll feel better while also burning calories.

Count Your Blessings - We often forget how good our lives really are when we focus on our challenges. Take a moment to write down everything you are thankful for. You may be surprised at how long your list is.

Laugh - Simply enjoying laughs with a friend or watching a funny movie can dissipate negativity generating positive emotions and positive thoughts.  When is the last time you had a good “belly laugh”?  Can’t remember?  Then it really has been too long.

Help Someone Else - Mentor a child with a special skill you may have or volunteer your time with one of our many local charities.  When you realize how much you have to offer others, your thoughts will become positive in a heartbeat.

Take a Breather - When our lives are very busy, we often get stressed out and our thoughts can become clouded. Try taking a few moments out for yourself and do nothing at all – simply rest and relax. When you go back to your activities, you will more than likely feel refreshed and have a much easier time accomplishing that “to do list”.

Get Outside - Being outdoors can work wonders on our stress levels.  The beach and boardwalk complete with the sounds of summer, flowers, trees, animals and fresh air can instantly replace worries with positive thoughts.   

Remember, positive thoughts are powerful as they play an integral role in helping us lead a happy and healthy life while also giving us confidence that we are going to be fine.

Health Benefits - According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking may provide the following health benefits:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

In addition to eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, having a positive outlook on life will significantly contribute to better overall health which makes it very worth doing.

"The world always looks brighter from behind a smile." ~Author Unknown

Yours in health and fitness,
Kellyann

Kellyann Skorupski owns and teaches classes at The Jazzercise Fitness Center of Wall, 1985 Highway 34, Wall, NJ.  You can get information on her center and the group fitness classes offered there by visiting www.jazznj.com or on Facebook byclicking here.