Janine Neill: Harnessing The Power of Good Feelings

Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life. Having a positive outlook also has beneficial impacts on your health in terms of better sleep, decreasing stress, and potentially improving immunity and resistance to colds.

How do you develop a positive outlook? As Radmacher suggests in the quote above, make sure you listen, practice, play, and laugh as you live your life. Don't do things you will regret, and don't spend time stressing about the past. If you do all of this and focus on the things you love, you will feel happier.

All easier said than done, right? Well, here are a few different methods to help you harness the power of good feelings for better mental and physical health:

Implement simple daily habits

Spend some time taking an inventory of simple habits that you can incorporate daily to help foster a sense of happiness and positivity to improve your overall health. Looking at my own list, I try to accomplish the following on a regular basis:

• Get in a training session well before the sun rises.
• Practice mindfulness by reading a daily meditation before I start my workday. These are quick one-page reads for each day of the year that help frame my mindset for the day ahead. Two of my current favourites include:
  • Everyday Kindness - 365 Ways to A Peaceful Life
  • The Daily Stoic - 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
• Let my family know that I love and appreciate them.
• Stay well-fuelled and hydrated throughout the day.
• Spend a few minutes outside in the sunshine and fresh air to get some vitamin D.
• Spend time learning by reading or listening to a podcast.
• Meditate and express gratitude for the many blessings I have in my life.
• Get enough sleep.

Control what you can control

Many times, there are things that we cannot control in life, but we can control the way that we react to them. Think about the following list and make note of the things that you can control during your day:

1. Your beliefs
2. Your attitude
3. Your thoughts
4. Your perspective
5. How honest you are
6. Who your friends are
7. What books you read
8. How often you exercise
9. The type of food you eat
10. How many risks you take
11. How you interpret situations
12. How kind you are to others
13. How kind you are to yourself
14. How often you say "I love you"
15. How often you say "thank you"
16. How you express your feelings
17. Whether or not you ask for help
18. How often you practice gratitude
19. How many times you smile today
20. The amount of effort you put forth
21. How you spend/invest your money
22. How much time you spend worrying
23. How often you think about your past
24. Whether or not you judge other people
25. Whether or not you try again after a setback
26. How much you appreciate the things you have

Develop a positive mindset

To enhance your emotional wellness and develop a more positive mindset:

• Remember your good deeds. Give yourself credit for the good things you do for others each day.
• Forgive yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn from what went wrong, but don't dwell on it.
• Spend more time with your friends. Surround yourself with positive, healthy people.
• Explore your beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life. Think about how to guide your life by the principles that are important to you.
• Develop healthy physical habits. Healthy eating, physical activity, and regular sleep can improve your physical and mental health.

Good health is more than just eating well and exercising. You also have to prioritise your mental wellbeing. Try these methods to experience a healthier, more positive life.

• Janine Neill is an Implementation Manger with Vitality in the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science/Sport Management from Rutgers University, as well as many certifications within the fitness and nutrition industry.
• Find the original Vitality Group article here.