Mind Games

   Let’s talk about mental blocks. Almost everybody encounters them at some point in their life. These blocks can come in many shapes and forms including avoiding responsibility, fear of failure, and denying your strengths. These blockages are some of the biggest problems when switching to a healthier lifestyle. It is extremely important to work through these so you are able to maintain your healthy habits and not retreat to old lifestyle thoughts and behaviors.

                The first step to overcoming these problems is to start thinking more positively. I know this can seem like a big task to handle. There are thousands of stressors in our daily lives and if you pack on possible future events, negative thoughts can seem to sweep you off your feet. I find that thinking positively helps me to think clearly and keeps me grounded and sets a foundation to help me pursue my goals. Thinking positively is not all sunshine and rainbows, life happens and we make mistakes. This is why it is important to healthily go about thinking positively. Here is a link to a video that explains how thinking positively can influence your actions and gives a realistic approach to how it works.

  Working through these blocks is not going to be a walk in the park. BUT it will be 100% worth your time. The most important step in overcoming the block is figuring out what it is and acknowledging it. For some, especially when changing a health habit, these blocks can be emotional and come from a deep set fear. Personally, I have been afraid of reaching my full potential and being physically healthy would take me closer to my potential. This is why I have been telling myself I am comfortable with the way I look and feel even though deep down I know I’m not.  After uncovering this blockage I have found it easier for me to know when my fears are controlling what I’m thinking and transform those fears into productive action.

              
             After acknowledging these blockages it is important to work towards resolving the blockage. Some ways this can be achieved is through journaling or freewriting, embracing your vulnerability, therapy sessions. These tools should help you go through the process of uncovering, removing, reducing, and transforming your mental blocks which can also help you to think positively (for a more in-depth explanation of this one, click here). Some simpler tools you can use daily are positive self-talk, creating a mantra for yourself and writing down daily goals.

            You might be asking yourself “How does all of this information affect me”? These blocks can either make or break your success in creating a healthy lifestyle. Mental toughness and the willpower to keep going are going to be your best friends. I have already failed many times at making healthy choices and I know I will keep making mistakes. What is important is that I keep my goal in mind and learn from my mistakes. Did Oprah create her empire overnight without any failures? NO. Like any success there will be hard times and failures, so keep focusing on what you can do at the moment to achieve your goal. It is normal and OKAY to fall off the horse, just make sure you get back on again.

Happy Thinking!

Josey T