Can we change the way we think?

The way we think is a fundamental aspect of our being. It is the basis for our beliefs, values, and behaviours, and it shapes our perception of the world around us. But can we change the way we think? The answer is yes, but it is not always easy.

Our thought patterns are formed by a complex interplay of genetics, environment, and experience. These factors shape our neural connections, creating pathways that dictate our habitual ways of thinking. However, these pathways are not set in stone. The brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and change in response to new experiences and stimuli. This phenomenon is known as neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity means that the brain can rewire itself in response to new experiences, creating new neural pathways and strengthening existing ones. This process can occur throughout our lives, but it is most pronounced during childhood and adolescence. However, even in adulthood, we can still change the way we think.

One way to change the way we think is through cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of talk therapy that aims to change negative or unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. It works by identifying negative or distorted thoughts and replacing them with more rational and positive ones. By changing our thoughts, we can change our emotions and behaviours.

Another way to change the way we think is through mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help us become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and learn to observe them without reacting to them. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to let go of negative or unhelpful thoughts and focus on the present moment.

Self-reflection is also an effective way to change the way we think. By reflecting on our thoughts and behaviours, we can gain insight into our patterns of thinking and identify areas for improvement. This can help us challenge negative beliefs and develop more positive and constructive thought patterns.

In addition, exposing ourselves to new experiences and ideas can also change the way we think. Traveling, trying new activities, and learning new skills can expand our perspective and challenge our existing beliefs and assumptions. This can help us develop a more open-minded and flexible way of thinking.

However, changing the way we think is not always easy. It requires effort, persistence, and patience. We may encounter resistance from our existing thought patterns and face setbacks along the way. It is important to approach the process with self-compassion and a willingness to learn from our mistakes.

In conclusion, we can change the way we think through a variety of methods, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness meditation, self-reflection, and exposure to new experiences and ideas. By changing our thought patterns, we can improve our mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. It may not be easy, but it is possible, and the benefits are worth the effort.

10 Stress-Busting Ideas for People Who Don't Like Meditation

Meditation is often seen as the go-to method for reducing stress levels, but what if you just don't like the idea of it? Don't worry, there are plenty of other things that you can do to de-stress and relax.

In this blog post, we will share 10 ideas that are perfect for people who don't like meditation. So whether you're looking for a new way to relax or you're just getting started on your journey to better mental health, these ideas are sure to help!

Here are our top ten stress-busting ideas for people who don't like meditation:


Try a relaxation app

There are tons of different relaxation apps available, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs. From guided meditations to calming music, these apps can help you relax and de-stress.


Take a nature walk

Getting out in nature can do wonders for your stress levels. Take a leisurely stroll through your local park or go for a hike in the woods.


Practice deep breathing exercises

Deep breathing is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. Not only does it help to calm the mind, but it also oxygenates the blood and helps to relax the body.


Listen to calming music

Listening to relaxing music is a great way to de-stress. Whether you're at work or at home, put on some calm tunes and let yourself drift away.


Get a massage

A massage is a great way to reduce tension and stress. If you can't afford a professional massage, try asking a friend or family member to give you a back rub.


Do some yoga

Yoga is an excellent way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. There are plenty of online classes and videos available, so you can do it in the comfort of your own home.


Write in a journal

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It's a great way to get all of your worries out of your head and onto paper.


Take a hot bath

A hot bath is the perfect way to relax after a long day. Add some soothing aromatherapy or add a few drops of lavender oil to really help you unwind.


Read a good book

Getting lost in a good book is a great way to forget about your stressors. Whether you're reading fiction or non-fiction, reading can help you relax and escape from reality.


Spend time with loved ones

Spending time with the people you care about is a great way to reduce stress. Whether you're going out for coffee or just staying in and chatting, being around loved ones will help you feel more relaxed and at ease.

We hope that these ideas have helped you to find a new way to relax and de-stress. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to stress, so find what works best for you and stick with it. And if you need more help, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. They can provide you with additional resources and support. Thanks for reading!

The Power Within - Transform Your Life

Have you ever thought to yourself, “What did he or she do differently to have a life that I want too?” You might think, that they had a better education, or more luck, or more money, or better parents or…fill in the blanks- but in truth they have the power within to transform their lives and YOU DO TOO! 

 

When you lie, even to yourself, you weaken your body!

When you eat fat, sugar, alcohol to a level that doesn’t serve you and your body, you weaken your body!

When you don’t do some kind of exercise even for 15 minutes a day, you weaken your body!

 

When you feel weak or when your plans don’t work out, believing in your inner power could seem like a challenge. That’s when you need to awaken that strength and harness the power.

 

We all know that under enormous stress, people develop enormous strengths. Many times, accidents have happened and under fear of losing a loved one people have moved cars, or pulled people out of rubble. Your body AND your mind are capable of so much more! 

 

The direction your life takes depends on whether you are able to tap into this bottomless pool of power within you. 

 

This power enables you to take a leap of faith, build habits that move you towards a better physical, mental and emotional well-being, and most importantly it guides you from point A to point B.

 

Whether you realise your power within or not, your life is in motion. It keeps rolling while you are on autopilot mode. Yes, you grow through motion too but it doesn’t allow you to spread your wings and follow your passion fearlessly.

 

When you want to transform your life and bring about a healthy change, that’s when you need to awaken your inner power. Bring out your determination, perseverance and passion!

These will soar high and get under your conscious control when you ignite your power within.

 

To stir the power and hone it to transform your life, here are small changes that you can bring into your life. Before any of that, the first thing you need to do is believe that you are powerful and that it resides within you, waiting to be unleashed.

 

Be real. Being honest to your self is where it all starts. If you feel overwhelmed, accept that feeling, experience the full range of it and then push away the negative feeling. Brutal honesty leads to self-awareness which, in turn, helps you locate your inner power.

 

Give up on judgements. The moment you start believing in individuality is when you realise that you, as an individual, are a storehouse of the massive and unique power that has the potential to sail your life in the direction you want to. When you are not affected by what others around you are doing, you also let go of getting affected by others’ judgement. That’s the moment when you unleash your power within yourself and shred every ounce of fear and doubt to change your life.

 

Take care of yourself. Eat healthy food, keep your body hydrated, sleep well and turn your negative thoughts into positive thoughts, but give yourself some time! Changing bad habits that have developed over years don’t change and last overnight unless you WANT to change them and unless you take ACTION! Your body responds to how you are treating it and that’s why locating your inner power needs you to make conscious decisions that are doing good to your body.

 

Spend 5 minutes every day in silence and have a healthy and honest talk with yourself before start trying to awaken the power. You can be whatever you want to! Let go of fear of uncertainty. This happens when you ignite this enormous inner power and decide to take control of your life. 

If you need help, please reach out anytime!

success@solutions-finder.com

 

 

 

 

Stop worrying, start living!

What do all human beings have in common? Yes we all worry at some point in our lives! It may seem absurd but perhaps you’ve gotten so familiar with consciously or unconsciously worrying about every little thing in your life to the extent of failing to enjoy the present day and simply existing but not truly living.

What causes you to worry?
Do you overthink disastrous scenarios in your head that have not even happened?
Do you worry that you fail?
Do you worry what others think about you?
Do you worry you’re not good enough/smart enough?

I would like to share a quote I read the other day “Overthinking is the art of creating problems that weren’t even there.”

One thing you have to always remember is – What is the worst that can happen?

AND

Another quote I truly love is “20 years from now you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did do”

Even if you look back on your life now I bet there will be things you regret not having done- travelling, telling someone you love them, learning a skill, whatever it is for you – make sure you move forward and stop yourself when you start worrying!

Be productive – What do you enjoy to do in your spare time? Reading? Sports? Spending time with friends and family? Whatever you choose, when you keep busy by doing what you love and be fully invested into your hobbies, you will automatically stop the worrying cycle.

Develop a change of attitude – Perhaps it seems easier said than done but rather than worrying and feel overwhelmed, why not change your perspective and count your blessings, not your troubles. Be grateful for what you have and never overlook the people that give you reason to smile in your life!

Take responsibility – are you easily blaming others? Your parents didn’t provide you with money, your boyfriend didn’t come through for you, your teachers were unfair- does that sound familiar? Now turn this around- since you have grown up could you have made more money on the weekends, in the evenings? Could you have changed your job? Could you have negotiated a higher wage? Could you have ended a relationship earlier that was not good for you? Did you REALLY take charge for your own life?

The key is to take action by starting to do more of the things you wish you could do and that makes you happy. Take 1 babystep today!

Everyone has the same hours in a day. How do you plan on spending it? You have the power to steer your life in the direction you choose. Why not live a life that you will be proud to tell others and future generations to come?

If you need help – reach out and we will help you achieve so much more!

Why be a good friend?

 

Our society tends to place romantic relationships on the highest pedestal. However, I believe that a good friendship is just as important to our mental welfare.

There is a common saying that I am sure you have heard and that is ‘treat others how you would like to be treated.’ .. Are you doing this? Are you as reliable as you expect people around you to be? Are you as honest, or fun or helpful as you expect people to be? What do YOU have to achieve and become in order to attract the kind of people in your life that you want to hang out with?

It’s a fact that friendships have a huge impact on a person’s mental health, social life and overall well-being.

We all learn from an earlier age – When you plant seeds you need to look after them, nurture them, water them, shield them and protect them – then they will grow and give you back fruit or vegetables, shade or happiness.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have people in my life that support me, nurture me, laugh with me, cry with me, lift me up when I am down and listen when I need help? Are you willing to listen, learn, support when needed?

Or do you have people around you that pull you down, that hold you back, that manipulate you to stay small or not put your head above the lid?

The value of being a good friend does not have a price. As a good friend you have the capacity to relieve a friend’s stress, providing comfort, joy and preventing loneliness and isolation. On the flip side, a lack of social connection especially in lock down may likely pose as much of a risk as depression, anxiety which bring all sorts of new problems.

However, being a good friend is not just a benefit to your friend but is also a benefit to YOU.

Friendships are a two-way street and you will notice that building strong friendships will create a positive environment that you want to remain in forever, right?

Evaluate your environment and see if it supports you and make decisions if this is not the case! Leave behind what is toxic and move towards what makes you happy.

Start a new hobby, meet new people, surround yourself with likeminded people and the most important is… GIVE don’t ask… when YOU are giving it will make you feel good, you will make others around you happy and you will get it back 10 times from ways you never even expected!

Start your first step today!

Anxiety – wide spread – but a good thing?

I would like you to consider an interesting and different perspective toward anxiety and that is - is anxiety always bad? Surprisingly not. Let’s face it – anxiety can be a powerful motivator. Anxiety can work for you as long as it moves you to the right kind of action. For example, suppose you will be taking an exam for school or work the following week. Anxiety is capable of compelling you to study immediately and achieve something great.

A degree of anxiety can also alert you to danger. Perhaps you may feel anxious because you know that you’re taking a wrong course of action – Anxiety will help you to avoid such a wrong action for your conscience to be at rest.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not advertising that you should be anxious all the time in order to become an overperforming monkey! But I want you to SEE and FEEL that when you shift your view point and FIND the positive angle in any situation- your feeling and your according action will change too.

Especially during the last 18 months people have come back to me and told me about the rising fears, income, job, children at home, or even worse things like abuse from a partner through constantly being home.

Anxiety can appear to be a constant battle that can seem emotionally and perhaps physically overwhelming. If you are reading this and it resonates with you then your situation will be different from the next person. Anxiety can stem from personal difficulties, a challenging upbringing or even genetics, such as negative thinking, a divorce, loss of a job, and grief.

“How can I overcome this?” There are many ways and not everything works for everyone but I would like to add a few points that you can try from home that are easy and free.


Exercise

Yes, exercise! Maintaining physical health closely connects to our mental health. Exercising whether that is enjoying a walk, swimming or team sports release a happy chemical in the brain called endorphins. So go on that walk through your local park and try, or go swimming with the kids or just do whatever feels good for YOU! If your body feel better, once you’ve overcome the muscle ache, - then your mind will automatically feel better too!

How can I activate my inner power

Do you believe you have inner power? Maybe you have heard people talk about inner power but always wondered what it really is and how to activate it.

Well there is no universal answer to this question. We are all different and what might work for me might not work for you however one thing for sure EVERYONE has huge inner power and we can all find the way to tap into it!

Have you felt that in certain situations there seems to be a quiet force inside you that knows when to act and when to move and sometimes when really needed gives you enormous strength to do so?

That is part of your power and you can learn to use it. Let me show you some simple steps on how to activate it.

Breathe consciously
The first thing we do after we are born is breathing. It costs us nothing, it is free of charge, we do it automatically and yet it is hugely powerful!
Breathing properly will help you achieve harmony, being calm when feeling anxious or fearful and gaining strength. The greatness of breath is to develop our stamina. The cells in our bodies need oxygen to function. The positive side effect is when you breathe properly with your diaphragm, you are more likely to overcome not just anxiety but you support your body with strength to heal and stay healthy.

Eat healthy food
What you put into your car is what gives it the energy to drive. What you put into your body is your source of Energy for your LIFE!
It is therefore crucial that you give it the best quality fuel you can!

The truth is, what ever diet you look at, it all comes down to the same
Sugar is in nearly everything, processed food, even fruit and milk and all carbohydrade foods turn these into sugar in your body- so make a conscious decission to check sugar levels on what you eat and try and keep it as low as possible- 20-30g a day max.

Eat lots of vegetables as they give you the best base of fuel
Some fruit, lots of proteins and carbohydrates like wholegrain bread/pasta etc at least a few times a week. All of this will boost your body's energy which will also give you more strength and stamina to find and activating our inner powers.

Go and enjoy a walk in fresh air and enjoy nature take a 30 minute walk every day if you can even after dinner if you didn't have time during the day.
Reconnecting with mature also can help with your inner energy journey.
The more often you go to nature – the better and stronger you feel.

And finally stop for one second when you are feeling sad, anxious, fearful, angry or helpeless - just start listening to your body - what do you really feel? Help your body to activate your inner energy by starting to listen to your body. Stay with the feeling, breath, take the time to achieve being calm and listen to what your mind and gut feeling tells you.

When you re-train yourself every day just 5 minutes to truly listen and allow your feelings to guide you, learn to breath to achieve inner calm and feed your mind and your body, you will find enormous inner strength that can guide you anywhere you would like to go AND achieve the goals you set for yourself!

Who whispered in your ears?

Yesterday morning I gave my children a booklet with loads of animals to cut out - they are now three and a half and cutting is now something they are really keen on learning.

They both did really well and so they chose more pages to cut - one of which I looked at thinking... That's too difficult for now so that's what I said to my daughter when she asked for that specific paper... 'This is still too difficult' - so she didn't want to do it anymore. Later they picked more and she remembers the one that I said was still too difficult - she wouldn't even try.

This morning they wanted to do more cutting and I gave my daughter one page that was even more difficult than the one I talked about yesterday. I told her that one is easier and she did it without any problem!

Wow what an eye opener for me! I tried to protect her from disappointment and failure - how wrong was I?

Not only was she absolutely capable of the task, she excelled it AND loved it and proved me so wrong! And what would have been so wrong if she had not managed to do it? She would have learnt that she still needs to improve her skills, she would have learnt that sometimes we don't get things right and that she could have asked me for help to show her.

So, who in your past or even in your current life tells you things that hold you back from the dreams and goals that you want to achieve? Do you think you might be able to but then don't take the action and the steps because you 'think' you might not be able to, or not deserve it. Or you don't want to have yet another disappointment?

Take my daughter as an example - you HAVE the strength inside you! You CAN do what you want to achieve - get rid of the false beliefs that you stored in your brain, go out... fail small... get up... try again... achieve small steps and move on to achieve bigger things.

BECAUSE YOU CAN!

If you need help please reach out: success@solutions-finder.com

You ARE Amazing!

VIDEO: Dr. Wayne Dyer's Life Advice Will Leave You SPEECHLESS - One of the Most Eye Opening Speeches

 

Blog If you put your mind to it you can do ANYTHING

So on the weekend I finally received the climbing frame which I had wanted to order for weeks now but it was out of stock- no wonder of course as more people were trying to make their garden as child friendly as they could in lockdown times- and so did I.

However of course the climbing frame came in millions of parts and I ... am no good at handy work- or am I?

I realised 3 things

1. I was brought up with women doing "women's things, ballet, becoming a purser, or a teacher so you could do part time work when being married and having children, maybe tennis but for sure not taking hammers and drills and screwdrivers and putting things together, or being interested in cars etcetc"

Now I never really questioned that because I have a lot of skills, I am an intelligent woman so the lack of knowledge here was never an issue as I always either found a friend (male) who helped me or I hired someone and paid them to do the things that I can't do.

Nothing wrong with this picture...in general but over the last 7 days I had a childrens bench and the climbing frame delivered and no one to help me right that minute when it was delivered. So, I had a choice, call for friends favours for the next weekend and wait, call a handyman and pay and wait until they had time to do this or ... DO IT MYSELF! ... and that was a really weird feeling.. really do this handyman men's work myself? But I can't ? Well I thought I can give it a try, I can always leave it for someone else to finish right?

So I did... I started with the bench and I pretty much got it all wrong first time round, 1. Because I didn’t think I needed to read the description in detail as it seemed all straight forward ( yes yes I know, big mistake) . I screwed and unscrewed nearly every single screw as I went along- however... I did it. I cursed, I didn’t really enjoy it and it took me probably 3 times as long as any skilled person would have taken BUT the fact is I did it!

So the programme in my head- I can't do this - clearly needs to be deleted. Because I just proved myself twice- that when I really put my heart and some discipline into this then I actually could do it!

2. I also realised that of course when you do something for the first time, which doesn’t happen that often anymore when you are an adult unless you take up new skills or a new sports, then you do look a bit silly first time round, and it all takes up time- but so what? Once I realised where I had gone wrong I was able to put things together second time round much faster. So you never stop learning and it is never too late to pick up new skills IF you really want to learn them!

And if you do then you put your heart, soul, sweat and tears and dedication into learning new things, and give yourself a little bit of time to improve and do it again and again and again and you will see improvement pretty fast within a few weeks!

3. Just because I CAN do something doesn’t mean I SHOULD be doing it- WHY? Because I was not enjoying it, although seeing my children happy with the result was heartwarming but this I would have achieved if I had had someone else put it together and in that time that I spent doing the "hard" work I could have done other things that I am actually already good at or that I love doing- ie I could have played with my kids in the sandpit or read with or to them etcetc

So think about the things that you do on a daily basis and ask yourself truly: SHOULD you be doing this? Could you pay someone or ask someone to do xyz and free your own time sensibly to do things you could achieve much much more in or that you love much more?

I outsourced my accounts when I opened my business, I outsourced my IT any electric work I have to outsource etcetc... so where could you save time to spend better and spend money to make more money with things you are good at?

I will leave you with that thought for the day 😊

Have a great week and reach out if there is something I can do to help you reach your "aha" moments to move your life forward.

All the best Astrid