Spring is here, where are you?

Where are you? Are you in the present moment, focusing on the positive elements in your life? If you are, good for you! We all have problems, but when we are facing difficult issues we forget that this is part of the human condition. You see others and imagine that They don't have problems, just you- and this can make you feel isolated and alienated from others, which actually makes life more difficult. It is is vicious cycle of negative thoughts. Ask yourself, "where am I?". Take notice - are you stuck in the past, worrying about the future? If you notice this you have the opportunity to Come back to the present. How can you bring yourself into the present? One easy way to do this is notice a tree, a door, a bird singing, notice anything in your present that you can pay attention to. This can easily bring you back to the present. Pay attention to all of nature. If you are in an environment where you can see trees or hear birds, take notice of them, look and listen. Are the branches of the tree moving with the wind? Is a bird singing? When we take notice of the natural world we can begin to be present. All we have is the present moment. The past is gone and the future is always a mystery. Take this moment to pay attention, find a piece of nature that speaks to you. Watch and listen.... and breathe.

New Years help for anxiety and depression

As I write this the sun is shining brightly and it is perfect weather to take a hike. But it may no be so for you. So what can you do that is healthy and part of self care? When I ask my clients this question they normally have some activities they have enjoyed in the past, but because they are stressed, anxious or depressed it might be hard for them to get motivated. There's the dilemma! Doing healthy activities you love can assist you greatly in lowering depression, anxiety or general stress.... but at these times you may not be motivated to do these activities! What can you do? I have written here many, many times about the importance of changing the way we thing about things, events, ourselves... Here is a perfect opportunity to use your thoughts to motivate yourself.
Instead of saying to yourself, "I don't fell like doing _______, because I am stressed, anxious or depressed" you can start practicing saying to yourself, "I AM doing this activity because I KNOW I will feel better." Now it sounds simple, but negative thoughts can feel very strong so I invite you right NOW to practice saying"I am going to do _______________ right now because I KNOW I will feel better!" Practice saying this over and over as you get ready to leave your house and get going!
It really does work, changing your thoughts- it just takes lots of practice.