7 tips for a more positive, healthy life

Our Jan/Feb 2012 issue features an article on how Mary Shackelford made positive  changes and found a new life direction. Read the tips below from Shackelford and Dr. Colin Duggan, licensed clinical psychologist at Capital Region Center for Mental Health and clinical supervisor, on how to keep a positive focus in your own life.

1. Write down five things every day you are grateful for, Shackelford says. It could be something as simple as, “I’m so grateful my husband started dinner.”
2. Duggan recommends spending quiet time in prayer, meditation or simply sitting still with no modern distractions such as the TV or computer. The quite time could even five minutes at your desk in the morning.
3. Concentrate on your breathing a couple of times each day. Practice belly breathing by putting your hands on your belly and letting it expand while you take slow, deep breaths. You can do this in a meeting, and nobody will notice, Shackelford says.
4. Write down or say five things that you appreciate about yourself. Shackelford says too many of us, especially women, believe thinking about ourselves is selfish, arrogant or conceited. It could be something big, like not having a panic attack, to “I kept my mouth shut when I might have said something that could hurt another.”
5. Recognize your uniqueness. Shackelford calls this bio-individuality or intuition. Keep in mind that one-size diets or lifestyles do not fit all.
6. Forgive yourself often. You’re not perfect, but that’s OK. Keep in mind that forgiveness is never truly about the other person; it’s about you letting go and moving on. Most hurtful events only happen once; it’s our thoughts about the event that continue to hurt us, Shackelford says.
7. At the end of the day, Duggan recommends standing in front of a mirror and reciting back all the positive things that happened to you during the day. You’ll notice a change typically in two weeks in your mood.