Eight Ways to Cultivate a Positive Mental Attitude

 

Cultivating a positive mental attitude can’t be accomplished overnight. It starts by gradually introducing good habits into your daily routine. This can be a struggle at first, but eventually it will take less effort to look on the brighter side of life.

 

Eight Things You Can Start Doing Today to Become More Optimistic.

·         Take Action

Many of us worry about the future, always imagining the worst case scenario. Your future circumstances depend largely on your current actions, so you can exercise some control over your future by taking constructive action in the present. If the situation is beyond your control, take your mind off it by focusing on other areas of your life over which you do have control. You can improve those areas.

·         Practice Appreciation

If you think there isn’t much good in your life--always seeing the glass as half empty--take five minutes a day to list the things you're grateful for. After a while, you’ll start noticing the good things more than the bad, which will help develop that positive mental attitude.

·         Think Well of Others

We sometimes judge others harshly and expect the worst in people. This only perpetuates our tendency for negative thinking. Instead, try to go for an entire day thinking only positive thoughts about other people. Do this as often as you can and notice the results.

·         Have a Sense of Humor

As the saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Keeping your sense of humor and making sure to laugh each day is an easy and effective way to help you become a more positive thinker.

·         Snap Out of It

Make up a prompt that will stop your negative thoughts dead in their tracks. Use it when you find yourself thinking negative thoughts. It could be anything from snapping your fingers, to shouting “stop,” to imagining a red stop sign. Anything is useful as long as it puts an end to that thought.

·         Consciously Feed Yourself Positive Thoughts

 Most of us put our thoughts on autopilot, without consciously deciding what to think. Start getting into the habit of forcing yourself to think positive thoughts, or affirmations. At first it may seem silly, but it will soon get you into the custom of thinking more optimistically.

·         Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself

Negative thinkers tend to focus on their flaws without acknowledging their good points. To stop this harmful habit and boost your positive mental attitude, keep a journal and write down everything about yourself of which you are proud. You'll soon recognize that you do more things well than you thought.

·         Turn off the Television and Social Media

We receive a constant barrage of upsetting information, anxiety ridden situations, and mood destroying comments and thoughts from television and social media. It’s easier to think more positively without this constant influx of negativity. Take time out each day to go low tech. Meditate or take a walk outside instead.

 

Pick one thing on this list and practice it, if you find that doing it all at once is too much. Start today.

Five Positive Thinking Tips to Help You Relax

Many positive thinking tips revolve around re-training your mind to work differently. Although this is important, you also need to care for your body and spirit. This means making to unwind and re-energize. Here are four suggestions to help you be more optimistic.

·         Exercise

This could be the most valuable of all the positive thinking tips. If you don't get enough exercise you aren't taking care of your body and, perhaps surprisingly, you’re not taking care of your mind either. Exercise has been proven to be an effective antidote for mild to moderate depression. It releases endorphins, brain chemicals that act as a natural mood boosters. It has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, enhance self esteem and improve sleep. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine and you'll see things more accurately and logically.

·         Hypnotherapy

Although the validity of hypnotherapy is highly debated, it has resulted in deep relaxation for many, who describe it as akin to getting the best night's sleep they have ever had. It is a method of reducing stress by focusing your attention and turning it inwards. If you can't afford a hypnotherapist, there are many MP3s and other internet downloads to choose from. Get comfortable and start listening. They can help you to forget the stress of the day.

·         Play with Your Pet

Spending time with animals has been known to relieve stress in many people. If you have a dog or cat, sit down and spend time stroking or playing with them. Research has shown that pet ownership can: reduce stress, lower blood pressure and enhance your mood.

·         Enjoy the Outdoors

Enjoying nature and breathing fresh air can significantly improve your mood.

·         Practice Yoga

The practice of yoga mediation utilizes positive thinking as an essential tool to bring about both physical and mental wellbeing. Yoga meditation involves sitting silently and motionless for periods of time. In Western society, most of us are used to being stimulated all day every day. It is hard to free our minds from racing thoughts, and many find it impossible to meditate at first. However, one of the best positive.

Stopping Negative Thoughts

How to Stop Negative Thoughts

Break the Habit

Stopping negative thoughts takes patience and training. Since pessimistic thinking is a habit, step one is to catch yourself when these thoughts begin to occur. Once you start to notice them, you can try to verify them to convince yourself that they're not true. Test Your Negative Thoughts.

 

Your destructive thoughts aren't based on reason, but no matter how much you tell yourself that, it's seems impossible to stop them. This is why you need to go a little further and start gathering proof that will convince you that these thoughts are false.
 

Step by Step Instructions to Test Your Negative Thoughts

 

Step 1 - Take a wide category of negative thinking and break it down. Don't begin working on all of your negative thoughts at once. It takes time to learn how to stop them, so start slowly. For example, you may choose to work on your poor body image or the thought pattern, "I am unlucky."

 

Step 2 – Using your wide category, think about all the thoughts that come under each subcategory. Take the poor body image example. Your thought pattern might be something like "I can't wear tight blouses because they accentuate my small breasts" or "everyone pays attention to my cute best friend and not me," or “I’m not pretty." Make a list of these thoughts on a piece of paper.

 

Step 3 - On another piece of paper, write down facts that will negate that thought. For example, for the thought "I’m not pretty,“ you might write that nobody has ever said you weren’t pretty. You can also write something like "I don't judge people solely on looks, so why would they judge me that way?"

See how this is working? Writing down the evidence forces you to view your life objectively and learn how to stop negative thoughts by seeing whether your thoughts are based on fact. A feeling that people think you're not pretty isn’t sufficient. This is the time for cold, hard facts. We've all heard the occasional hurtful remark, but when you put the facts on paper, you'll discover that your thoughts are more illogical than you first realized!

What Now?
It takes time for your irrational feelings to catch up with your rational brain, so you will need to regularly repeat this process to learn how to stop negative thoughts. Eventually, you'll find that it is possible to stop such thoughts, and that your negative thinking habit becomes much more realistic.

Author: A native of the Midwest farm country in Iowa, Marcia Ripperger has lived in a number of locations. She has resided in Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis, Minnesota., Living in rural and metropolitan areas taught Marcia to always look for the best opportunities each community could offer. She now lives in a rural area of Minnesota that has a small city flare and closeness to the land. . Marcia has work in the corporate world outside of her home and has various home based businesses over the years. She holds a degree in business management and is CMOM certified. Marcia is the owner of a Work At Home Choices LLC along with being the founder founder and publisher of " Christian Work From Moms and Grandparents" She is a well known published and featured author through out the internet.

 

Gifts for Him Ideas on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Gifts for Him

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you are sure to be scouring your mind, trying to find the perfect gift for your man. Don't worry, you aren't the only one struggling. In fact, most women have an issue picking the perfect Valentine's Day gift for their boyfriend or husband.
The most important thing to think about is your guy's personality. Think about what they enjoy and get them something fun or useful that goes along with their interests. Show them you understand what they like. Let's take a look at a few different types of men and a few great gift ideas for each.
If your man is the well dressed type, you may jump to the default gift idea of a new tie. While that could be very nice if you pick one that has meaning, try some of these other great ideas he will be sure to love. Many men own a lot of ties but only one or two sets of cufflinks. Cufflinks can make for a very classy gift and you can take your time picking out some that will have special meaning to him. Find some that will leave him thinking of you every time he sees them. Another option is a new dress watch. Watches are considered the most important accessory for many men, meaning you can make a huge impact by picking a great watch. Be sure to take a look at what he already has to get an idea of his style. For bonus points get a special message engraved on the watch to remind him how much you care every time he puts it on.

Does your guy live an active lifestyle? Does he enjoy camping, hiking, and the outdoors? There are several great items that the camping enthusiast will love. As his girl, you've probably noticed something he needs even if you haven't realized it. Have you found yourself upset by his old, muddy hiking boots that don't seem to be doing the job anymore? Has his tent sprung a leak, leaving your head soaking wet halfway through the night? These types of gifts could be perfect for him. For extra points, plan a special getaway for the two of you using his new gift. Perhaps a special camping trip to test out his new tent or a picnic at the end of a nice hike.

Does your boyfriend or husband love technology? This one can be tough since many of the newer electronics are fairly expensive, but there are still quite a few great options. With the tablet craze coming on strong, that is a great choice for a guy that loves gadgets. The iPad is considered top of the line when it comes to tablets with a big screen, lots of special features, and tons of apps available. If the iPad is a bit out of your price range, there are other options though. Amazon has released their own tablet, the Kindle Fire, which is under half the price of the iPad and is a very strong tablet. If video games are more his thing there are a few great options including Nintendo's 3D handhold system, the 3DS. He can play all of his favorite Nintendo games in 3D and you don't even need 3D glasses. The Xbox Kinect is also very popular and offers a great chance for the two of you to get up and play together, no controller needed!

Just remember, think about what he likes. Find something he will find fun or useful and try and add your own personal flavor to it. Show him you understand him and give him a gift that will remind him of you every time you use it!

New Year’s Resolutions You Will Want to Keep

Diet New Year’s Resolutions You Will Want to Keep

Each year people around the world resolve to take better care of their health. They often make blanket statements like “this year I resolve to eat better.” Unfortunately, such broad resolutions are difficult to keep. They’re not specific enough to follow through on. If you’re looking for a diet New Year’s resolution you will want to keep, consider these seven resolutions.

#1 I resolve to stop drinking soda and sugary drinks
So many people around the world drink their calories. This sugar is hard on your health. It adds unnecessary weight and it affects blood sugar levels. Resolve to eliminate soda and sugary drinks from your diet. You may eliminate several hundred calories a day from this simple adjustment.

#2 I resolve to eat fruits and vegetables with every meal and snack

If you add a fruit or a vegetable to every meal and snack, you’re much closer to meeting your daily requirement. It’s not as difficult as you might think. You can have fruits or veggies for your snacks. Add an apple or berries to your breakfast. A smoothie can have as many as three servings of fruit or vegetables.
Add greens to lunch and dinner and you’re well on your way to getting the nutrients your body needs each day.

#3 Resolve to try a new fruit or vegetable each month

Scientists have found that people who eat a variety of fruits and vegetables are healthier. Many people become stuck in a rut with their fruits and vegetables. When you add a new one to your diet each month, you’re broadening your nutritional horizons.

#4 Resolve to switch to whole grain bread

Swap your white bread for whole grain bread. This is an easy change to make and it’ll add more healthy whole grains to your diet. You can amplify this whole grain change and switch to steel cut oats and brown rice instead of instant oatmeal and white rice. Small changes make a big difference.

#5 Resolve to eat fewer sweets

If you’re like many people you probably have several sugary snacks each day. Resolve to cut back. That may begin by tracking how many snacks you normally eat each day. Cut back to one snack each day or one sugary snack each week.

#6 Resolve to drink a glass of green tea each day

Green tea has been shown to provide fantastic health benefits. Add a glass of green tea to your day. Drink it in the morning or have a glass in the afternoon. If you’re sensitive to caffeine then don’t drink it in the evening. Green tea does have a small amount of caffeine.

#7 Resolve to stop eating in the evenings

People often make poor eating decisions in the evening. Drink a glass of water. Find something interesting to do to distract yourself. If you must eat due to hunger, then eat something high in fiber like a banana or whole grain cereal.
As you’re looking forward to your New Year and contemplating resolutions, be specific. Help yourself achieve success by setting specific goals designed to help you lose weight and get healthier.

Do It Yourself New Year's Party Favors

Making Your Own New Year's Party Favors

New Year's Eve is a time of fun and celebration with our friends and families.  In other words, it's time to party!  And what's a party without party favors?

New Year's party favors are easy to find at your local party or discount store.  But why give out the same old favors everyone else is giving when you can create your own unique ones?  Whether you make elaborate crafts or put together simple goodie bags, your guests will appreciate the effort you've put into them.  Here are a few favors that will put a smile on your guests' faces.

* Handmade party hats - Those kooky little party hats are a New Year's Eve staple that it's easy to make yourself.  All you need is some card stock, glue, a hole punch, and elastic.  Simply roll the paper into a cone shape, glue the seam, and cut off the excess paper to make the bottom of the hat even.  Then punch a hole on each side, run a piece of elastic through, and tie at each end.  You can customize the hats with streamers, paint, stamps and other embellishments.

* Party in a bag - Goodie bags are great for any occasion, but a New Year's Eve party bag includes everything your guests need to celebrate.  Place a blowout or noisemaker (or both), a small baggie of confetti, and some treats into a small, brightly colored gift bag.  Add some shiny filler and you have a fun favor that your guests will have a blast with.

* Fortune cookies - At a time when everyone is excited about the coming year, fortune cookies make a perfect party favor.  You don't have to buy ready-made ones, though.  You can find recipes online and make your own.  If you'd rather not try your hand at the real thing, you can easily make paper ones.  Just cut some decorative paper into a circle, fold in half, pull the edges down to meet and secure with glue.  Write fortunes on small strips of paper and place inside the real or fake cookies.

* Beaded necklaces - Party beads make great New Year's party favors, and it's a cinch to make these beaded necklaces.  Just get some elastic string or fishing line and lots of colorful beads, cut long pieces of the string or line, and string the beads on.  Tie the ends together when you're done, trim the excess, and add a drop of glue to secure the knot.

New Year's Eve is always a night to remember, and you can make it even more memorable for your party guests with unique handmade favors.  These simple projects will help them ring in the New Year with flair.

New Year's Eve Budget Party Ideas

New Year's Eve  Party Ideas

After the hubbub of Thanksgiving and Christmas you may not really want to think about New Year’s Eve. However, the holiday will arrive and you want to celebrate the changing of the calendar. Use these New Year’s Eve budget party ideas so you don’t destroy your already stretched budget.

You may not be able to travel to Time’s Square to watch the New Year ball drop, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holiday in style. Ask friends and family to join you at your home to watch the live television broadcast. You’ll be much warmer and will have everything you need right at hand.

Decide on a budget for your party. You don’t need to spend a great deal of money to have some friends and family over. If you let those attending help supply some of the party’s needs, it can drastically reduce how much your party costs.

Ask everyone on your list to help with the food and beverages. You may think it seems ungenerous to have a pot luck New Year’s Eve party, but it’s a great way to have a party on a budget. Everyone else just celebrated Christmas, too, so they will probably be more than happy to chip in.

Disposable plates, glasses and silverware may seem ‘cheap’ but who wants to spend January 1 washing a ton of dirty dishes? You can find holiday and plain party items at most dollar stores and the price is low enough not to break your budget. Be sure to get at least twice as many as you think you’ll need so people can go back to the food table for seconds.

Avoid the concerns about too much drinking for the holiday by inviting friends with children. This will give everyone permission not to drink and you’ll know there won’t be a problem when they go home. Of course, you may want to have sparkling cider on hand to at least give the impression that you’re having champagne when midnight comes.

Break out the board games while you’re waiting to ring in the New Year. Set up several games on different tables throughout the home. This will give everyone a couple of choices of games to play. If your guests have children, ensure you have children’s games for them to play as well.

Choose simple decorations. Fancy balloons and streamers are all fine and dandy if you have the money for them, but they’re really not necessary. Make a “Happy New Year” sign on your computer or don’t have decorations at all. It’s not likely anyone will complain because there were no decorations.

Of course, if you’re really concerned about your budget, you can have a simple New Year’s Eve party at home with your own family. Watch a movie until midnight and then go on to bed. You could also go to bed early and sleep through the changing of the year. There’s nothing that says it must be celebrated in a particular way. Find something that meets your needs and enjoy.

These New Year’s Eve budget party ideas are pretty universal. You can enjoy friends and family without having to go broke. Set a budget and stick to it. Ask your guests to bring something to share. Don’t serve alcohol. These simple ideas will keep every party you throw be fun without your having to worry about the cost.