You’re reading How To Use Your Powerful Mind To Be Positively Happy, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking” – Marcus Aurelius

Our mind is so complex that we can forget how powerful it is.

It can either make or break us at any given moment. It has the power to take us to the stars or throw us off a cliff.

According to the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the USA, with 42,773 Americans dying by suicide every year.  

The mind is the root cause of suicide, with over 90% of cases attributed to mental illness.

With a concerted effort, we can achieve a state of continuous happiness by teaching the mind to think positively.

HAPPINESS IS NOT IN THE FUTURE

“People look to time in the expectation that it will eventually make them happy, but you cannot find true happiness by looking toward the future” – Eckhart Tolle

How often do we say to ourselves ‘I’ll be happy when the bills are paid’. Or ‘When I was younger, things were better’?

We are all guilty of falling into the trap of believing that we will feel better in the future. Or we reminisce about how much easier life was back in the day.

The truth is, happiness has little to do with circumstances. Mental constructions of future and past have a huge impact on our current state. In reality, though, they have nothing to do with how things actually ‘are’ right now.

Like a ping pong match, our mind will bounce back and forth between ideas. It says ‘I’ll feel great when I lose the excess weight’ or ‘I was happier when I ate whatever I wanted’. It cannot make a decision and we wonder why we are confused.

Perception of a circumstance, not the actual circumstance,  determines our happiness. If left unchecked, your mind will come up with countless reasons to be unsatisfied.

To enjoy a more balanced life, we must first notice disempowering thoughts. We must then redirect these thoughts and turn them into empowering ones.

The future is simply a dream-like projection of mind-made fantasies. It is not real. It exists only in your head.

If you want to think about the future, consider it in a positive way and then take constructive action in the now.

STOP PRESUMING

How often do we mentally grumble about things we have no idea about?

Sitting in rush hour traffic, we jump at the opportunity to lash out when traffic isn’t moving. We speculate and blame the event on all manner of made up ideas

We scowl at the stranger who doesn’t reciprocate a “thank you” when we hold the door open for them. Mentally we judge them and label them as rude.

Could it be possible that the person who walked through the door was in a daze after hearing some terrible news? Is it too difficult to consider that the traffic is lousy because of an accident?

Instead of accepting something as it is, we create a negative story. I call this ‘Speculation Nation’.

Our patience dissolves or we get angry at nothing but a speculative thought.

We become unhappy and lose our power as the mind complains. It wants to know what justification the other person has for behaving a certain way. It struggles when things don’t act in accordance with its own personal values and rules.

Many battles could be avoided If people understood that we all have a different set of values.

Just because a person appears to be rude to you, doesn’t really matter.

It is only your interpretation of the events that have the power to determine your happiness. Choose to interpret them positively.

Choose to interpret them positively.

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so” – William Shakespeare

LOOK FOR HAPPINESS

In every moment we have a choice. We can choose to resist the way something is or we can accept the way it is. After all, it ‘IS’.

There are 2 ways to deal with something that is not going as planned.

1. Mentally complain and tell yourself a phantom story about how dreadful it is.

This will lead to a lot of pain and suffering.

2. Accept the way it is and look for the positive and beauty in the situation.

This leads to peace and joy.

Shift your perspective from discontentment to acceptance. Surrender to the way it is because it can be no other way. It is what it is and no amount of complaining will change it.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu

Relinquishing control and making way for acceptance will relieve you of tension and frustration.

In its place, there will be spaciousness. Burden and negativity will no longer rule you and positivity will break through.

Every situation, no matter what it is, can be perceived as either positive or negative.

Choosing to accept, or to see the advantage in a circumstance, will free you of suffering.  In turn, this will better allow you to explore the beauty and magnificence of life.

GIVE THANKS

Showing gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to find happiness. Gratitude opens up the heart and sends positive energy to those willing to receive it.

What we send out, is returned ten-fold.

In the book of the film ‘The Secret’, Rhonda Byrne talks about how she used gratitude to turn her entire life around.

Her relationships, finances, and health were spiraling out of control. She felt like she was on a collision course with destruction.

Once she realized that her thoughts were controlling her life, she began expressing gratitude. She became thankful for all that is good in her life.

Instead of complaining about money issues, she would give thanks for the things she had. Surely enough, she was able to turn around her entire life. She shares these teachings in ‘The Secret’ series of books and films.

“Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything.” ― Rhonda Byrne

Expressing gratitude really means that we are expressing happiness.

Gratitude puts us in a state of positivity. We feel uplifted and energized and happiness becomes the natural byproduct of these feelings.

According to this study, gratitude and happiness have a direct impact on emotional and interpersonal benefits.

MAKE HAPPINESS THE GOAL

Adopt these keys points to ensure that you are constantly in a state of  well-being.

1. Give up trying to control every situation, it’s impossible.
2. Let go of the past and stop expecting the future to make things better. Now is the only time you can experience joy.
3. Accept the way something is. If you can change it, great. If you can’t, Hakuna Matata (it means no worries!)
4. Give up speculating. You have no idea why she didn’t turn up for the date. Maybe she had a car crash!
5. Look for the good in all things. Search for beauty, it’s everywhere.
6. Play, be silly, be creative. Let your hair down.
7. Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Go out of your way to give thanks.
8. Consistently following these simple steps will ensure that you think powerfully and positively.  

You will literally rewire your brain so that it remains in a state of bliss so that happiness becomes a way of life.

You’ve read How To Use Your Powerful Mind To Be Positively Happy, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading The 7 Ways To Empower Young Minds, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

 

If you’re lucky enough to work with children, it’s probably pretty likely that you have wondered about how to empower your young charges so that they become the most productive and successful adults they can possibly be. Good for you! Working to uplift and inspire the younger generation is one of the best things you can do. But, what’s the best way to go about this? Here are the seven best ways to empower young minds!

Encourage, Encourage, Encourage There’s an old adage that says you should praise children ten times as much as you criticize them, and this is definitely true! While working with kids, try to maintain endlessly positive.

Plan For The Future Sometimes, even just knowing someone believes in you is enough to get the job done. Spend some time with the kids in your life and talk to them about their future goals. Be a sounding board for them.

Give Concrete Suggestions People benefit the most when you give them specific suggestions towards reaching their goals. Give them advice on careers, how to earn the best college scholarships, and choosing their friends wisely. Kids understand that you’ve been their age before, and chances are high that they will appreciate hearing your thoughts!

Make Time For Alone Time Kids react really well when they know that there is an adult who cares about them. Show the children you’re close to that you want to see them succeed by carving out time to go on a walk, drink a hot chocolate, and grab lunch. It’s never too early to begin mentoring someone! Who knows… you may even inspire them to become a mentor themselves when they reach adulthood. That really is the gift that keeps on giving!

Don’t Tear Them Down Even if you don’t agree with something a child said or believes in, try your best to support them and not tear them down. Part of growing up is exploring your belief system and drawing conclusions. Give them the safe space they need to do that! Remember… praise them ten times as much as you criticize them.

Teach Them Mindfulness Every adult knows that maintaining a work-life balance can be difficult, so it’s never too early to start teaching kids these habits. Talk to children about mindfulness, the importance of family time, and the values of hard work and ingenuity. Just spending a few minutes talking about managing your emotions and practicing self-care will have a lifelong impact on the people you reach.

Show That FUN Is Okay Everyone has worries and anxieties sometimes… including children! Don’t hesitate to show kids that it’s alright to take a break from the hecticness of life to have a little fun.

Childhood is hard enough. Try to make it a little bit easier for the children in your life by taking an active role in uplifting and empowering them. You’ll have a long-term impact on their life, and will set a great example for them as they enter adulthood. That alone makes the small time you’ll dedicate to helping them completely worth it!

You’ve read The 7 Ways To Empower Young Minds, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading 11 Easy Yoga Poses You Can Do Now For Immediate Stress Relief, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

If there was any word in the dictionary that would make you cower in fear…

It would be the word: deadlines.

Just the thought of an impending deadline can make you flustered, frustrated and stressed.

The thing is…

You’re already working your hardest to meet that deadline. Yet you have to continue to put in 14-hour work days just to get everything done.

At this very moment, everything seems miserable.

You feel your teeth clenching together. You feel like your head is about to explode. You feel like your entire body is tensed up, as if you were preparing for a punch to your stomach.

You are ready to give up.

But you can’t.

You need some way to relieve your stress. You need some way to calm yourself down, breathe better, gain clarity and get back down to work immediately.

It’s not like you haven’t tried some solutions. You did.

Just that they didn’t help.

You need something better.

Why Yoga Is The Perfect Solution To Your Stress

Have you considered using yoga for stress relief?

While it originated as a spirituality practice, it has been scientifically proven to help with reducing stress and anxiety levels. Many research studies have found that yoga works equally well as compared to relaxation to help with reducing stress levels and improving life quality.

It is even endorsed by the Mayo Clinic as a surefire method for fighting stress, getting fit and staying healthy.

The question is:

Why is yoga so effective in relieving stress?

The basic principle of yoga is to focus on a particular pose while being conscious of your breathing. By truly focusing on just one thing in the present moment, you let go of your stress and allow yourself to decompress.

Furthermore, the actual poses (also called asanas in yoga) help release tension in your body, which makes you feel calmer and put you in a meditative state.

You might still be skeptical.

After all, you’re already stressed and tensed to the brim. You can’t possibly fork out time to get yourself down to a yoga studio for a 1 – 2 hours practice.

You simply can’t afford it.

But that’s the wonderful part of yoga.

You don’t even have to start signing up for yoga classes. All you have to do is to learn some basic poses and do them anytime you feel stressed.

No matter where you are, and what you’re wearing, you can buckle down and hold a few yoga poses to help relieve your stress.

So without further ado, here are 11 poses you can do anytime to help relieve your stress.

 

11 Yoga Poses That’ll Banish Your Stress Away

1. Corpse Pose

 

Yoga Name: Savasana

The corpse pose, despite its morose sounding name, is one of the easiest and most effective exercises to relieve your stress. It probably got its name from the fact that all you have to do is to lay down flat on the floor — like a dead body.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Lie down flat on the floor with your legs straightened and spread out. If you experience discomfort or pain being in this position, you can keep your legs bent.

Step 2: Ensure that your head is centered and not facing or falling to either side. This is probably the “toughest” part of the pose as most of us tend to lean our heads to one side.

Step 3: Extend your arms to the sides, allowing to rest on the floor.

Step 4: Hold the position for 5 minutes, breathing in and out slowly and steadily.

2. Happy Baby

Yoga Name: Ananda Balasana

This is a fun yoga pose to be in. It is named Happy Baby because of the way you look in your yoga position, like a cute little baby laughing.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Lay on your back on the floor.

Step 2: Raise your legs from the floor towards your head. You should strive to aim your knees towards your chest. This particular step can prove to be slightly difficult for some people.

Step 3: Spread your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width, and keep your soles facing towards the ceiling.

Step 4: Grab the outer part of your soles with your hands. If this is difficult for you, you might consider using a towel to hook onto your outer soles.

Step 5: To make it a little bit more challenging, try pulling your feet downwards.

Step 6: Hold this position for 3 minutes, and take deep breaths.

3. Child’s Pose

Yoga Name: Balasana

This particular pose requires you to be in the fetal position, thus deriving its name: Child’s Pose. A side benefit of this particular pose is that it also lengthens your spine, which helps relieve back pain if you have any.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Kneel on the floor.

Step 2: Gently bring your butt down to your heels.

Step 3: Bring your forehead as close to the floor as possible.

Step 4: Try to touch your thighs with your belly.

Step 5: Stretch your arms forward, as far away as possible from your feet.

Step 6: Hold this position for 1 minute.

4. Cat Pose

Yoga Name: Marjaryasana

This pose (as well as the Cow pose) are great for relieving back pain and undoing the damage from sitting all day. If you find yourself sitting for more than 6 hours a day, do this pose as often as possible.

Also, the name of this pose derives from the fact that you’ll look like a cat stretching its back.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Get on your fours (meaning hands and knees on the floor.)

Step 2: Keeping your shoulders and knees in position, try to round your spine, imagining that you’re trying to make your spine touch the ceiling.

Step 3: Repeat for 10 times.

5. Cow Pose

Yoga Name: Bitilasana

This pose is usually paired together with the cat pose as it is held in the same position. Apparently, this pose mimics the way a cow eats.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Get on your fours (hands and knees on the floor)

Step 2: Now, do the opposite of the cat pose. Try imagining reaching the floor with your belly (or attempting to touch your spine to your belly). This will cause your spine to arch.

Step 3: Repeat for 10 times.

6. Puppy Pose

Yoga Name: Uttana Shishosana

If you have not noticed by now, yoga asanas take a lot of inspiration from observing animals. This is no difference. The puppy pose is an imitation of puppies or dogs stretching.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Get on your fours (hands and knees on the floor).

Step 2: Slowly walk your hands away from you and lower your chest down towards the ground.

Step 3: If you are able to, rest your forehead on the ground and place your weight onto your hands.

Step 4: Keep on your legs firmly on the floor.

Step 5: Hold the position for 30 seconds.

7. Legs Up The Wall

Yoga Name: Viparita Karani

This pose is a great pose for you to just lay down, relax and wish your stresses away.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Find a wall

Step 2: Grab a towel and roll it up

Step 3: Place the towel about one hand away from the wall, and gently place your butt on the towel.

Step 4: Lay down on the floor.

Step 5: Gently adjust your hips such that the back of your thighs is resting on the wall.

Step 6: Straighten your legs and lean.

Step 7: Hold this position for 30 seconds.

8. Cobra Pose

Yoga Name: Bhujangasana

Not only will this pose help relieve your stress, it also employ the backbend position, which can potentially prevent damage to your spine.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Lay flat on your stomach.

Step 2: Place your hands beside your chest, palms facing down.

Step 3: Raise yourself up and straighten your arms while arching your back. Your hips, thighs and feet are still in contact with the ground (don’t raise them!)

Step 4: Try to look up at the ceiling

Step 5: Hold the position for 30 seconds.

9. Bridge Pose

Yoga Name: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

This pose can be quite challenging (if it is the first time you’re doing it) but it is also infinitely rewarding.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Lay flat on the floor, knees bent, and ensure that your feet is tucked near your butt area.

Step 2: Raise your hips up slowly, lifting your thighs and your lower back. Keep your feet, neck and back of head on the floor.

Step 3: Hold the position for 30 seconds. (This can be challenging!)

10. Thread The Needle

Yoga Name: Parsva Balasana

This is an interesting pose where you might need some imagination to see yourself as the needle going through a thread.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Get on your fours (hands and knees on the floor)

Step 2: You will notice that there is a “gap” between your left arm and knee. This is the “hole” where you’ll stick the “needle” in (your right hand in this case.)

Step 3: Plant the right side of your head and your right shoulder on the ground as you stick your right hand through the gap.

Step 4: hold the position for 30 seconds.

Step 5: Repeat for the other side.

11. Pigeon Pose

Yoga Name: Kapotasana

This is a pose that not only relaxes you, but also belongs to the category of exercises known as “hip-opening exercises”. Sitting for too long tends to shorten the muscles around your hamstrings and hip area, causing it to be too tight. The pigeon pose has the added benefit of opening your hips and stretching them out, reversing the damage caused by excessive sitting.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Sit with one leg in front of you and the other leg straightened behind.

Step 2: Bend the front leg 90 degrees (that means the outer side of the calf and ankle will come into contact with the ground).

Step 3: Straighten your back.

Step 4: Hold the position for 30 seconds.

Step 5: Repeat for the other leg.

 

You’re stressed.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it.

In fact, there are quick and easy ways to relieve and rejuvenate yourself to tackle the challenges ahead.

All you have to do is — the next time you feel overwhelmed and stressed, pick one of the above exercises. (If you want 21 more exercises, here is a list of exercises that can help relieve stress and back pain.)

Find a corner in your office (or at home) and follow the step by step instructions. Hold the poses for the recommended length of time.

Feel yourself breathing and relaxing as you shift your thoughts away from the stress.

You’ll be able to feel more clarity and be ready to tackle your work again.

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Attention Pick The Brain readers!

The above exercises will be good enough to get you relaxed and relieved of stress. If you would more exercises on how to relieve stress (as well as back pain), download your free checklist of recommended exercises that can help you relieve stress and back pain from sitting too long.

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Ong Si Quan is the Growth Guy at airawear.com who wants to help people be free of pain and stress from their lives. Download his free checklist of stress and back pain relief exercises to learn how to do so.

You’ve read 11 Easy Yoga Poses You Can Do Now For Immediate Stress Relief, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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