Category: Mental Health and Wellness

Health and wellness for the mind

New year, New goals

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The new year is such a great time for do-overs, fresh starts, and new beginnings. I love the way the new year feels. BUT as we all know, many goals and resolutions are set in January, then abandoned by March! You need an action plan to set good goals and stick with them.

A couple years ago I made one resolution. Just one. You can read my 1 and only New years resolution. I am still working on that one every day! And as you know 2020 didn’t go as planned for most of us, which may have also left unmet goals.

I’ve been starting to think about what I want for 2021 and am setting goals using a few practical tips.

Specific, measurable goals

Every year “eat healthy” is on my list. What does that even mean? Ask 5 people and you will get 5 different answers. Vegetarian. Keto. No dairy. Low sugar. You get the idea! So set a specific, measurable goal. Instead of “eat healthy” set a goal to “eat 3 servings of fruits and veggies each day and limit sweet treats to 1 per week”

Lofty but realistic

Lofty goals are great because they give you something to strive for. But if you set an unrealistic goal you will constantly be defeated because you fall short. If you currently make $50,000 a year but your goal is a million dollars a year, you better have a plan! Because that is not very realistic and is impossible without some changes (or an extremely rad lottery winning)

Write down your goals and read them frequently

I love to write things down. Some may find this super weird in today’s world, and others know exactly what I mean! I am more likely to remember something that I write on paper than a note on my phone. Go old school with me and write down your goals. Then, read them! The more I read my goals, the more motivation I have to work toward them.

Check in on your progress

Last year around August I did a check in on my goals. Surprisingly, I was doing a lot better than I thought. Some areas were easier than others. I could tell right away which good habits were sticking and which ones need a little more love. I made a few adjustments and refocused.

Use these tips to create a great plan for the new year and have a great 2021!

The Power of Your Brain-The Mindset Mentor

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I listen to The Mindset Mentor pretty regularly. This particular podcast really got my attention.

I’m sure you have heard of the Placebo affect. I have too but didn’t quite know just how powerful it is.

Some of the most influential people in my life have told me about the power of our thoughts and our mind, and the importance of being present in the moment.

When you have an overactive mind, this can be a challenge, but it is so important!

Take a listen-this one has a little bit of language just in case you have small ears nearby.

The Power of Your Brain -The Mindset Mentor

Battling anxiety with God’s word

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Lately I have been experiencing anxiety. Not just regular anxiety, but pandemic anxiety, which is like anxiety on steroids. I also have vacation anxiety and mom guilt thanks to our kid free trip fast approaching and hanging in the balance.

These feelings come in waves. Sometimes they pull you under and other times you ride it out.

Today’s devotional suggested I hash it all out on paper. In one column, write down all raw, anxious, worrisome thoughts. In the other column, write down the promises of God’s.

If I shared with you column 1, your head might spin. Let me tell you I was very honest and it felt good to get these negative thoughts out of my head.

Column 2- well, column 2 turned into more of a dialog than a list, and I think that’s exactly what I needed. First verse that came to mind…

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Well…that should cover it. All things work for good. So if any of those negative thoughts come to fruition, it is for my good.

Reassuring, but column 1 is lengthy. I need more.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

Ok that’s good to know, but I’ve had unanswered prayers…so I struggle with this. I should revert back to Romans 8:28. All things work for good. So if it is an unanswered prayer, there’s a reason.

But why?

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Alright, so he knows more than me. Got it…but I still feel unsettled.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

I want that kind of peace. I need that kind of peace. If only I could control my thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

I can picture it now.

  • Negative thought enters my mind.
  • Negative thought gets handcuffed, taken to God, and immediately forced to turn positive or leave.
  • As soon as a negative thought is escorted out, another enters. Then another. Then another…

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

That’s it! If I want this peace, I will need a guard for my mind. Full time position. Probably some overtime.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Any negative thoughts that sneak past the guard will be filtered!

  • Is it true? Well, no because most of my worries never come true.
  • Is it lovely? Not usually.
  • Is it worth of praise? Nope.

I need to use these filters. Why?

Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Because I need this peace! But it seems impossible.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me

I rely on God’s strength all the time. He’s probably tired of dealing with me.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Column 1 is starting to seem less scary.

But still..even if I guard my mind, filter my thoughts, and rely on God’s strength, I may still face trouble.

James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Joy and trials in the same sentence? Really?

1 Thessolonians 5:16 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

All circumstances? What about the bad ones?

Romans 8:28…start back at the top.

Use God’s word to argue with your anxiety, and the anxiety simply can NOT win!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

We may live in uncertain, ever changing times, but God has not changed. He is the same and He is good. And He does not want us to put back on the chains that Jesus broke many years ago.