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| The New York Optimist March 2009 |
How To “Thrive” In a Frightening Economy
-Nina,contributing writer
We are living in a time of persistent negative thinking. This will, over a period of time take it’s toll physically, psychologically and
spiritually, unless we take control!
The word “thrive” means to grow in a healthy manner due to proper nutrition, love and stimulation. It is frequently used to describe the
development of an infant. In our current economic state many individuals are not thriving because of constant worry and stress. How you
think, eat, speak and live on a daily basis will take a great part in determining your personal outcome. As soon as you wake up and put the
news on you are reminded of how ”bad” our economic situation is, you leave the house and all the people you run into want to discuss
how “bad” the situation is, at work, with family, when you get home from work… It never ends and what is happening internally is a
blockage of energy within your body. This blockage, if fed for too long can lead to chronic illness, depression and habitual worry or
anxiety. In addition, it is setting the tone for children to emulate how to handle stress.
This is how to “thrive”:
Awareness
1. Notice how you feel throughout the day; are you sad, worried, anxious most of the time?
2. Are you eating healthful food to feed and nourish your body or drinking soda, fast or processed food into your body?
3. What thoughts pervade your mind throughout the day; positive or negative?
4. What is your speech; when you speak with friends, family and colleagues do you speak of how bad things are or how good your life
is?
If you are sad, negative and unhealthy in your mind, body and spirit, you will reap negative effects. Change your habits to create positive
and long lasting benefits in your life.
Action/Change
Begin by changing one small thing at a time. There is a saying in psychology that a habit can be created or broken in 21 days. Create new
healthful habits, one at a time.
1)Upon awakening, (set the tone for the day)immediately tell yourself this is going to be a great day. After your cup of coffee, have a
cup of warm/hot water with lemon juice (physical). This will cleanse and detoxify your body. Take supplements to counter stress and
promote health. Take Vitamin D to promote a stronger immune system and better mood, usually we are sunshine deprived in the Winter
which is our greatest source of Vitamin D. Be sure to take a supplement of Omega 3, 6 and 9. This promotes balance, lubrication and
also effects mood.
2)Practice this one yoga posture to prepare for the day, Tadasana, Mountain Pose.
Begin by standing with your feet hip width apart, toes facing forward, hands by your sides, buttocks tucked under (no arch in lower
back), shoulders back & down, head over your neck aligned with your spine and close your eyes. Imagine a string from the crown of
your head up to the ceiling and you are growing taller. Maintain the strength, alignment and awareness for the few moments you are here
and begin to notice your breath. Follow the breath as it enters your nostrils travels through your body and leaves through your nostrils.
Notice how cool the air is as it enters your body and how warm it is as it leaves. Begin to deepen your breath by filling your abdomen, rib
cage and chest. This is a three part yogic breath which allows your body to breathe correctly for just a few moments at the beginning of
your day. When you are stressed, you will notice that your breathing is very shallow which means you are not bringing the proper amount
of oxygen into your body. With every full and deep breath you take, you are feeding your cells and with every full exhalation, you are
ridding your body of toxins.
3)Thinking a particular way is a habit. If you notice a negative thought in your mind, acknowledge it and change it right away with a
positive thought. Think of a friend who makes you laugh, or a precious baby or envision yourself in love or lavished with jewels. Think
of anything that makes you happy! You must train your brain to push away negative thoughts and create positive ones. “Another
expression is fake it till you make it!” This means do it until it becomes natural. When you are sad, smile. Every time you are sad, you
release negative chemicals in great abundance, using more facial muscles which causes wrinkles, whereas when you smile you release a
greater amount of happy chemicals and you use less facial muscles. It is much better to put on a fake happy face than a real miserable
one. Practice this for 21 days and notice what happens.
4)Do not watch the news all day, watch shows that make you laugh. Be intentional about your life. Your life is a book and you write
each chapter as you want it to play out. This current chapter will soon end; how do you want the next one to read? Think about that,
write it down. Create the life you want internally and it will send all the right messages externally. If you become intentional for the next
21 days and practice these simple, yet profound exercises, I promise you will see a positive change in your life!
Nina Mistier is a Holistic Counselor, Yoga Instructor, College Instructor and mother who holds a Master’s degree in Counseling,
Counseling Supervision, Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, Yoga Certification and studies nutrition, spirituality, and holistic healing.
-Nina,contributing writer
We are living in a time of persistent negative thinking. This will, over a period of time take it’s toll physically, psychologically and
spiritually, unless we take control!
The word “thrive” means to grow in a healthy manner due to proper nutrition, love and stimulation. It is frequently used to describe the
development of an infant. In our current economic state many individuals are not thriving because of constant worry and stress. How you
think, eat, speak and live on a daily basis will take a great part in determining your personal outcome. As soon as you wake up and put the
news on you are reminded of how ”bad” our economic situation is, you leave the house and all the people you run into want to discuss
how “bad” the situation is, at work, with family, when you get home from work… It never ends and what is happening internally is a
blockage of energy within your body. This blockage, if fed for too long can lead to chronic illness, depression and habitual worry or
anxiety. In addition, it is setting the tone for children to emulate how to handle stress.
This is how to “thrive”:
Awareness
1. Notice how you feel throughout the day; are you sad, worried, anxious most of the time?
2. Are you eating healthful food to feed and nourish your body or drinking soda, fast or processed food into your body?
3. What thoughts pervade your mind throughout the day; positive or negative?
4. What is your speech; when you speak with friends, family and colleagues do you speak of how bad things are or how good your life
is?
If you are sad, negative and unhealthy in your mind, body and spirit, you will reap negative effects. Change your habits to create positive
and long lasting benefits in your life.
Action/Change
Begin by changing one small thing at a time. There is a saying in psychology that a habit can be created or broken in 21 days. Create new
healthful habits, one at a time.
1)Upon awakening, (set the tone for the day)immediately tell yourself this is going to be a great day. After your cup of coffee, have a
cup of warm/hot water with lemon juice (physical). This will cleanse and detoxify your body. Take supplements to counter stress and
promote health. Take Vitamin D to promote a stronger immune system and better mood, usually we are sunshine deprived in the Winter
which is our greatest source of Vitamin D. Be sure to take a supplement of Omega 3, 6 and 9. This promotes balance, lubrication and
also effects mood.
2)Practice this one yoga posture to prepare for the day, Tadasana, Mountain Pose.
Begin by standing with your feet hip width apart, toes facing forward, hands by your sides, buttocks tucked under (no arch in lower
back), shoulders back & down, head over your neck aligned with your spine and close your eyes. Imagine a string from the crown of
your head up to the ceiling and you are growing taller. Maintain the strength, alignment and awareness for the few moments you are here
and begin to notice your breath. Follow the breath as it enters your nostrils travels through your body and leaves through your nostrils.
Notice how cool the air is as it enters your body and how warm it is as it leaves. Begin to deepen your breath by filling your abdomen, rib
cage and chest. This is a three part yogic breath which allows your body to breathe correctly for just a few moments at the beginning of
your day. When you are stressed, you will notice that your breathing is very shallow which means you are not bringing the proper amount
of oxygen into your body. With every full and deep breath you take, you are feeding your cells and with every full exhalation, you are
ridding your body of toxins.
3)Thinking a particular way is a habit. If you notice a negative thought in your mind, acknowledge it and change it right away with a
positive thought. Think of a friend who makes you laugh, or a precious baby or envision yourself in love or lavished with jewels. Think
of anything that makes you happy! You must train your brain to push away negative thoughts and create positive ones. “Another
expression is fake it till you make it!” This means do it until it becomes natural. When you are sad, smile. Every time you are sad, you
release negative chemicals in great abundance, using more facial muscles which causes wrinkles, whereas when you smile you release a
greater amount of happy chemicals and you use less facial muscles. It is much better to put on a fake happy face than a real miserable
one. Practice this for 21 days and notice what happens.
4)Do not watch the news all day, watch shows that make you laugh. Be intentional about your life. Your life is a book and you write
each chapter as you want it to play out. This current chapter will soon end; how do you want the next one to read? Think about that,
write it down. Create the life you want internally and it will send all the right messages externally. If you become intentional for the next
21 days and practice these simple, yet profound exercises, I promise you will see a positive change in your life!
Nina Mistier is a Holistic Counselor, Yoga Instructor, College Instructor and mother who holds a Master’s degree in Counseling,
Counseling Supervision, Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, Yoga Certification and studies nutrition, spirituality, and holistic healing.
| Additional postures |
