North Star Mental Fitness Blog

MALE RULES

Male rules?  What are male rules? 

I found this article explaining male rules in a local newspaper dedicated to humor.  I found the rules to be humorous.  Then it hit me.  Some of these rules, if not most of the rules, probably are operating in the minds of men and create never-ending pain in relationship with women.

With a smile on my face, I hope you will enjoy MALE RULES, which are quoted as written in The Good Life..

The Power of Acceptance

There is power in acceptance! 

Our Super Bowl & Our Time for a Revolution

Today is Super Bowl Sunday.  Millions of Americans will be riveted in front of their TVs as they watch the New Orleans Saints battle the Indianapolis Colts.

Today I also woke up to an article about Sarah Palin, who delivered a speech last night and claimed that "America is ready for a another revolution".

As I thought about these two epic events,

15 TOOLS FOR SUCCESS IN 2010

SUCCESS = TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOU

If you take good care of you in 2010, you will be successful!  The following 15 tools will help you be successful in any situation in 2010.  These 15 tools provide the resources to guide you through 2010.

 

THE 15 MENTAL FITNESS TOOLS FOR SUCCESS IN 2010

She Said Feeling Good Is Dangerous!

Have you ever wondered what the relationship is between anxiety and feeling good?  Most anxious people have discovered that anxiety destroys feeling good.  People suffering from anxiety worry about insignificant as well as significant issues.  They worry about past, present and future issues.

There are many forms of anxiety.  For some people anxiety takes the form of physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches and other symptoms consistent with any medical diagnosis.  For some people anxiety prevents them from being alone or leaving their home.  Others have social anxiety.  There is no doubt that anxiety destroys feeling good.

Let's look at something that is not so obvious.  For some people feeling good creates anxiety.

I talked to a young woman who has been devastated by anxiety.  She is getting better.  As she talked, she surprised herself as she verbalized a previously hidden key to understanding her anxiety.

Surprised she said "FEELING GOOD IS DANGEROUS"!

She has been unconsciously afraid to feel good.  Whenever she started to feel good, anxiety overwhelmed her.  She recalled childhood experiences of feeling good that were associated with guilt, shame and censure from adults.  Undoubtedly the association of feeling good with danger began in her childhood and this association has unconsciously, constantly been reinforced throughout her adult years.

Now she has an explanation for why she was unable to finish relational, educational and vocational pursuits after she began to feel good about her achievements.

I have also recently been talking to a man who also is consciously aware that FEELING GOOD IS DANGEROUS.  He has had many physical problems that have curtailed his activities.  He is fearful that over- exerting himself will be dangerous to his health.  There are many reasons why people with anxiety may unconsciously or consciously think that feeling good is dangerous.

It is important to confront the automatic negative thought that FEELING GOOD IS DANGEROUS.  If feeling good is not dangerous, then consciously re-program your mind to think that FEELING IS NOT DANGEROUS!

Remember, We Live with the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

TIGER WOODS AND "MESSING UP"

Tiger Woods has proven his humanity and has admitted his "messing up" to the whole world.  The purpose of this post is not to condemn or judge Tiger Woods.

Physical Exercise and Your Mental Fitness

After reading Steve Siebold's book "Die Fat or Get Tough", I began an exercise program.  I was motivated to apply Steve's idea that 99% compliance with my goal was insufficient for success.  I was determined to reach 100% compliance with my goal.  I exercised daily for over three months.  I felt better. 

I felt even better, when I read Dr. Amen's article on the power of physical exercise and mental fitness.  Dr. Amen talked about the 10 ways exercise helps obtain a "mental edge".  Exercise really helps in regard to memory loss and depression.

In my private practice, I have been asked to evaluate many people regarding memory loss.  I also have many clients that wish to depend on themselves rather than medications to improve the quality of their lives.  Regular physical exercise is an important way to nurture your brain.

I encourage you to read Dr.Amen's article if you are concerned about memory loss, depression, attention problems or cognitive anxiety.  Dr. Amen presented numerous research studies that shows physical exercises increase mental fitness.

Studies were reported that demonstrated the power of physical exercise on memory:

• Canadian researchers reported that exercise helps "prevent, delay and lesson the effects of dementia and Alzheimer's disease".
• Other researchers presented research that indicated that exercise can prevent and delay cognitive decline associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. 
• A study of people over 65 revealed that mild to moderate exercise reduced about 50% the risk of cognitive dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Australian researchers reported that memory impaired individuals who participated in a six-month exercise program showed a decrease in cognitive decline over 18 months.
• Indian researchers have stated that exercise provide some of the same benefits as medications used to treat cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Exercise also reduces the symptoms of depression.  Dr. Amen believes that exercise can be as effective as prescription medication for treating depression.  In a study comparing the effects of exercise and a prescription for Zoloft, exercise was as as effective as Zoloft in reducing depression after 12 weeks.  After 10 months, exercise was more effective than Zoloft.

Exercise is a very important ingredient for mental health and mental fitness.  No matter what how old a person is, it is never too late to start to exercise and improve your physical and mental well-being.

Remember We Live within the Minds and Bodies Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

 

 

Negative Thinking Decreases Brain Activity

Now there is proof that negative thinking decreases brain activity.  In his Brain Health Report, Dr. Daniel Amen reported his study comparing the results of negative thinking and gratitude on brain activity.

Dr. Amen used brain imaging studies.  His astounding findings indicated that negative thinking created significant decrease in brain activity in the cerebellum and left temporal lobe.

Freedom from Life Dysfunctions

Everyone has successes that have turned into failures.  Successes that have turned into failures, I call Life Dysfunctions.  Everyone has Life Dysfunctions. 

It doesn't matter what has caused your dysfunctions.  Your dysfunctions could be the result of your genetic makeup, your personality, your familial environment, your educational experiences, your government's interventions or your living in a depressed economy.

What matters is what you do about your dysfunctions! 

Do you continue to pursue past successes even though you are continuing to fail? 

Do you continue to think about your life in a feeling good way, when you are feeling discouraged and disappointed?

Do you continue to grieve and complain about the losses in your life?

Do you want freedom from your Life Dysfunctions or do you want to remain stuck in misery?  It does not matter what your particular dysfunction is.  What matters is that you make changes.

If you want freedom from Life Dysfunctions, it is important to make new choices.  Sometimes, you may not know what you need to do to change.  As a result, you do nothing.

The Freedom Choice from The North Star Mental Fitness Program has been crafted to help you become free from your dysfunction.  When you don't know what needs to be done, make a Freedom Choice. 

With the Freedom Choice you prepare your mind for making functional changes and choices in your life.  You begin by thinking the thought "I want freedom from" your dysfunction.  Just by thinking that you want freedom from your dysfunction, you will begin to make new choices.

Also, there are also other empowering choices to help you overcome your Life Dysfunctions in The North Star Mental Fitness Program.

Remember, You Live within the Dysfunctions Created by Your Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

Life Dysfunctions

Life Dysfunctions!  We all have them.  Vern from Aim for Awesome asked the important question.  It's a question many people avoid asking.  It can be a very painful question.

The question is: What Are Your Life Dysfunctions?