Written by Carol Musser
There is a general consensus that if you change your thoughts, you will change how you feel and transform your life. In my last blog, I mentioned the Cognitive Triangle. Let’s dig deeper into how thoughts affect how you feel.
There is a common theme that goes something like this: Change your thoughts, change your life! I believe if we can change our thoughts it will change how we feel about life. Taking a more positive approach to our thoughts is the key to enjoying life with all the ups and downs that may come to us which is transformational!
5 Simple Facts About Thinking
- When you have a thought, your brain releases chemicals.
Positive thought >>>>>>> chemicals that make you feel good.
Negative thought >>>>>>> chemicals that make you feel bad
- Your body reacts to every thought you have.
- Thoughts are powerful
Every cell in your body is affected by every thought you have.
A negative thought is like pollution to your ecosystem.
- Unless you think about your thoughts, they are automatic or “they just happen.”
We all have Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs)
- Since they “just happen” they are not necessarily correct. Your thoughts do not always tell the truth!
- You don’t have to believe every thought in your head.
- It is important to think about your thoughts to see if they are HELPFUL or HURTING you.
- You can learn to eliminate ANTs and replace them with positive thoughts.
I would like to share with you two quotes from esteemed experts in the field.
Dr. Carolyn Leaf states: The average person has over 30,000 thoughts a day. Through an uncontrolled thought life, we create the conditions for illness; we make ourselves sick! Research shows that fear, all on its own, triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses and activates more than 30 different hormones. There are INTELLECTUAL and MEDICAL reasons to FORGIVE! Toxic waste generated by toxic thoughts causes the following illnesses: diabetes, cancer, asthma, skin problems and allergies to name just a few. Consciously control your thought life and start to detox your brain!
Our thoughts are an important part of our overall health and well-being. Dr. Daniel Amen in his book, “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life” states: “Your thoughts really matter. They can either help or hurt your deep limbic system. Left unchecked, ANTs will cause an infection in your whole bodily system. Whenever you notice ANTs, you need to crush them or they’ll affect your relationships, your work, and your entire life. First you need to notice them. If you can catch them at the moment they occur and correct them, you take away the power they have over you. When a negative thought goes unchallenged, your mind believes it and your body reacts to it. ANTs have an illogical logic. By bringing them into the open and examining them on a conscious level, you can see for yourself how little sense it really makes to think these kinds of things to yourself. You take back control over your own life instead of leaving your fate to hyperactive limbic-conditioned negative thought patterns. Sometimes people have trouble talking back to these grossly unpleasant thoughts because they”
― Daniel G. Amen, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness
Both Dr. Leaf and Dr. Amen are experts on brain chemistry and neurobiology and have great resources on their websites for further exploration of the effect our thoughts have on our neurochemistry and our total health. Check them out at www.amenclinics.com or www.drleaf.com Both websites have informative videos and information.
In conclusion, I hope this article will create some curiosity about the chemistry behind our thoughts and perhaps give you some incentive to learn and grow your positive thought patterns to enhance your life. A few small changes in how you think, can impact your life. Exchanging negative thoughts for positive thoughts can improve your overall health and well-being. Why not do some research and start taking control of your thoughts for a better life? As you change your thoughts, you can transform your life!
