Where you are in life today and where you will be in the future comes down to five things that you have total control over. The way you approach these five things determine whether you are happy or unhappy in life. Let’s look at them and see how you are approaching them.

#1: The Thoughts You Habitually Think

What thoughts typically run through your mind? Most people are thinking constantly. In fact the Buddhists would tell us that the main cause of stress in western society is that we don’t know how to stop thinking, to allow the spirit a chance to recharge. What I am wondering is what kinds of thoughts are going through your mind.

Do you think more about the good around you or about the bad? The world we live in has always been a mixture of good and bad and probably always will be. Now, however, we have the media who choose to give us a daily dose of bad news from all over the world. Do you find that you tend to think about the bad things that are going on or do you focus on what is good and beautiful in the world?

Do you focus on problems or solutions? Everyone, including you, has their own personal problems and difficulties to deal with in life. Some problems are big and others are small, but everyone has their share. Do you find yourself thinking about these problems and the difficulties they cause you or do you find that you think more about the solutions and the fun of finding those solutions?

Do you view the future with positive enthusiasm or negative dread? What thoughts of your future wander through your mind each day? What percentage of those thoughts are positive thoughts of a magnificent life and what percentage are thoughts of doom and gloom?

#2: The Things You Habitually Do Or Avoid Doing

Twenty four hours each day you are doing something. You sleep, you eat, perhaps you work, maybe watch TV or read or talk to people, or dance or laugh or cry, or whatever. But what are the things you habitually do and how do you do them?

The things you choose to do create who you are. It has been said that the ticket to failure is a six-pack and a TV. How many of the things you regularly do are things that enhance your life and give you a true sense of achievement and satisfaction?

Of cause it’s not just what you do that counts it’s also how you do them. Do you approach the things you do with energy and enthusiasm and purpose, enjoying every minute or do you drag your butt through the day and collapse in bed at night glad that the day is over. The number of days you have in life is strictly limited, are you making the best of them or not?

#3: The People You Habitually Mix With

Every day in every way you become a little more like the people you habitually mix with. Have a good look at them and ask yourself what they are like. Is being more like them a good thing or a bad thing?

Are they inspiring, happy, positive, successful people that you would gladly recommend as a role model? Or do they come up a little short on role model potential? These are very important questions because like it or not they are YOUR role models, and your life is becoming more and more like their life each and every day.

#4: The Books You Read and the Audios You Listen To

The billionaire Donald Trump is a total fanatic for time management and efficient use of his time. He has even managed to get most of his meetings down to minutes and rarely stops for lunch. If he does have to have a business lunch he limits it to 15 minutes and books it close to his office so that he doesn’t waste time. Yet Donald allocates 3 hours each day to reading books that will improve him personally and in business.

When it comes to the reading habit, Mr. Trump is not unusual amongst the very successful. Successful people read a lot of good, educational and personal development books. They also listen to success oriented audio programs and aim to fill and refill their minds with good material on a daily basis. These successful people know that what you put in comes out automatically in your life.

What do you read? Do you read at all? What are the lyrics like in the songs you listen to? What sort of movies do you like to watch? Everything you put into your brain is filtered by your subconscious mind and makes a little contribution to the person you are becoming. What you HABITUALLY put in adds up to a huge contribution toward the person that you will be tomorrow.

#5: The Challenges You Set Yourself

What type of challenges do you habitually set yourself? Have you given up setting challenges at all? Are you struggling this year with the same unfulfilled challenges that you had last year and the year before?

The challenges that you take on and conquer set the direction of your life. If you don’t take on challenges or if you don’t rally yourself to conquer challenges then you have no direction. You are just floating back and forth, same old, same old until one day you drop dead without ever having glimpsed the magnificent life that you could have had.

There are terrible crimes that some people commit but surely the worst crime possible is to waste the magnificent opportunity called life! I don’t know for sure how the universe works but I think that there is a very good chance that you only get one shot at life; whatever you do don’t waste it.

Author: James Delrojo

Problems? As soon as you solve one problem another one appears to take its place. Sometimes the same problem or the same type of problem keeps coming back to haunt you. I have the solution for you.

Firstly Distinguish Between Real Problem and Perceived Problems.

One reason that some people keep having problems is that they choose to see everything in their life as if it were a problem. If you gave those people a million dollars then they would be unhappy because they would see that money as a source of problems. They would worry about losing it. They would worry about what to do with it. They would worry about other people wanting it. They would worry about whether or not they deserved it.

The first thing you need to do to minimize the problems in your life is to develop the skill of determining what really is a problem and what you are simply turning into a problems. Whenever you have a problem ask yourself how much of this problem is real and how much of this problem coming from the way I am thinking about the situation?

Think about someone you know who never seems to have problems and ask yourself if that person were faced with this situation would they see it as a problem or not?

If you keep creating problems out of everything then the real problem for you to solve is why you keep doing that. There must be some underlying reason why you won’t allow yourself to be happy. Solve that problem and all the imagined problems will go away.

If You Keep Having Real Problems Then You Have Something That You Need To Learn.

If you keep having genuine problems then they are a sign that there is something that you need to learn. Look at the problem and ask yourself what lesson you can learn by solving the problem.

There are two important parts to learning. The first part is to identify what the learning is and the second part is to put that new learning into practice in your life. Simply recognizing the lesson is not enough to stop those problems from occurring. Unless you adopt the newly acquired knowledge as part of your life then your subconscious will keep creating similar problems for you.

The Faster You Learn the Lesson the Sooner You Can Change the Problem Pattern.

If you have to learn the lesson and apply it in your life then it makes sense to do that as soon as possible.

Some people however, insist on being given the same lesson over and over again. They keep making the same mistakes. They keep wasting their money or they keep choosing the same type of romantic relationships that never works out or they keep mixing with the same people who are taking them nowhere.

If you insist on being a slow learner then your subconscious will insist on providing you with similar learning opportunities over and over again. Once you accept the learning and apply it in your life then you will be able to move on. The choice is yours to make.

Author: James Delrojo

When people set aside the usual myths and misconceptions associated with hypnosis good things usually happen. Recently, hypnosis has been getting some positive national exposure increasing the publics general awareness of its health related benefits and its role as an increasingly popular frontline holistic healer. Hypnosis is non-invasive, soothing and once the client understands the process they may continue making healthy changes all on their own.

Hypnosis is the simple process of accessing subconscious thought. The subconscious mind has many important functions; it is where all our values, beliefs, habits and patterns reside. It also is the home of our body’s control center. It regulates our heart rate, breathing and coordinates every step we take.

Having the key to such a powerful place enables us to initiate positive changes supporting how our body responds to situations like stress, fear, pain, depression or even the trauma of surgery. Clients fortunate enough to be given the option of receiving hypnosis prior to, and after surgical procedures, sing its praises. Also, scientific research supports these claims with reduced complications and medication needs; more timely recoveries and shorter hospital stays, which is good for everyone.

“An average savings of $1,200 per patient resulted from this simple 5-minute intervention.” (1)

Another study discovered that the hypnosis group did better than 89% of those who did not receive hypnosis. “These data strongly support the use of hypnosis with surgical patients.” (2)

Hypnosis isn’t magic, its nature. We all go in and out of hypnotic-like trance several times a day. We call it day dreaming or zoning out. Hypnosis is the process of enabling this dream-like state to occur and then offering helpful direction, which support the client’s specific goals.

Surgical hypnosis involves relaxation, improved immune response and circulation that minimizes infection and promotes rapid healing. By increasing endorphin production pain is minimized requiring less medication and the unwanted side effects that usually result. And because the imagination resides in subconscious thought, wonderful images show the client relaxed, comfortable and successful further reinforcing this positive plan.

This healthy direction creates a blueprint, which becomes reality. Surgical Hypnosis disconnects patterns of fear and worry. It puts the client in the drivers seat when need they need it most. In life we all follow the path of our most dominant thoughts and with hypnosis you get the unique opportunity to create the thoughts and images, which serve you best. What your mind conceives your body achieves.

In the mid 1840’s when John Elliotson and James Esdaile began using hypnosis in the surgical setting as an anesthetic with great success. Prior to their efforts mortality rate was 40%; with hypnosis it was 5%. In spite of their success hypnosis would soon take a backseat to either, nitrous oxide and chloroform by the late 1840’s. (3)

The 3 important keys to success with hypnosis are how open a client is to this type of relaxation, how motivated they are to make positive changes and how prepared the hypnotist is to offer the suggestions and imagery supporting the desired change. Hypnosis is a relationship of trust and co-operation. If a client believes the hypnotist is working in their best interest they are likely to be more open minded and accepting, ensuring positive results.

It is impossible to predict the outcome of any treatment option but when clients understand the technique, benefits and are involved with the process, results are consistently positive. Also, considering the mountain of research supporting clinical hypnosis as an effective compliment to traditional medicine, the time has come to open the door to this and other holistic options.

An advocate and practitioner of surgical hypnosis is Elvira Lang MD. Dr. Lang teaches at Harvard University and is the Director of Interventional Radiology at Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston, MA. Her study involved 241 patients receiving percutaneous vascular and renal procedures either received no special treatment, structured attention or self-hypnotic relaxation. “Structured attention and self-hypnotic relaxation proved beneficial during invasive medical procedures. Hypnosis had more profound effects on pain and anxiety reduction, and is superior, in that it also improves hemodynamic stability.” (4)

Other studies reveal more positive results:
“Positive intraoperative suggestions seem to have a significant effect in reducing morphine requirements in the early postoperative period.” (5)

“Patients in the hypnosis group had significantly less vomiting, 39% compared to 68% in the control group, less nausea and less need of analgesics postoperatively. Preoperative hypnotic techniques in breast surgery contribute to a reduction of both post operative nausea and vomiting and postoperative analgesic requirements.” (6)

“Anxiety before the operation increased significantly in the control group but remained at baseline level in the experimental (hypnosis) group. Postoperative consumption of analgesics was significantly reduced in the experimental (hypnosis) group compared to the control (non-hypnosis) group.” (7)

“A significant correlation was found between anxiety and perceived knowledge of procedures. The results suggest that pre-operative hypnosis provides a quick and effective way to reduce pre-operative patient anxiety and anesthetic requirements for gynecological daycare surgery.” (8)

Through the early 20th century the debate was if hypnosis existed at all. The American Medical Association said it did in 1958 and since then hypnosis has been dissected and analyzed and the positive results are available for anyone to read.

Now the debate is over and the verdict is in. It may not be for everyone, but what is? Hypnosis is safe, relaxing and an effective option for clients going through the trauma of surgery. There are no side effects or allergic reactions and it costs next to nothing. Some also believe that it should be the client’s right, not the hospital’s option, as to which holistic supports are available. Someday soon it will hopefully be as simple as selecting ‘hypnosis’ on a pre-op check list.

(1) Disbrow EA. Bennett HL. Owings JT. Effect of preoperative suggestion on postoperative gastrointestinal motility Western Journal of Medicine. 1993; 158(5): 488-92.
(2) The Effectiveness of Adjunctive Hypnosis with Surgical Patients: A Meta-Analysis Guy H. Montgomery, PhD*, Daniel David, PhD*, Gary Winkel, PhD*, Jeffrey H. Silverstein, MD , and Dana H. Bovbjerg, PhD*
(3) Origins of Surgical Hypnosis. John F. Kihlstrom
(4) Adjunctive non-pharmacological analgesia for invasive medical procedures: a randomized trial. Elvira V Lang, Eric G Benotsch, Lauri J Fick, Susan Lutgendorf, Michael L Berbaum, Kevin S Berbaum, Henrietta Logan, David Spiegel. The Lancet, Vol 355, April 29, 2000, pages 1486-1490.
(5) McLintock TT. Aitken H. Downie CF. Kenny GN. Postoperative analgesic requirements in patients exposed to positive intraoperative suggestions. BMJ 1990; 301(6755): 788-90
(6) Enqvist B. Bjorklund C. Engman M. Jakobsson J. Preoperative hypnosis reduces postoperative vomiting after surgery of the breasts. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 1997; 41(8): 1028-32.
(7)Enqvist B. Fischer K. Preoperative hypnotic techniques reduce consumption of analgesics after surgical removal of third mandibular molars: a brief communication. International Journal of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis 1997; 45(2): 102-8.
(8)Goldmann L. Ogg TW. Levey AB. Hypnosis and daycase anaesthesia. A study to reduce pre-operative anxiety and intra-operative anaesthetic requirements. Anaesthesia 1988; 43(6): 466-9.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Gustafson RN, BSN, CH runs HealthyHypnosis.com of Burlington, Massachusetts. His 11 years of acute cardiac and hospice experience offer a solid foundation supporting his clinical approach to hypnotherapy. Visit HealthyHypnosis.com or call toll free at 888-290-3972.

Maybe learning to meditate intimidates you, and in any case it’s tough to find the time for daily meditation. The solution to both problems is an easy meditation you can learn right now, that will only take a minute to do each day.

An Easy Meditation Technique

Breathing through your mouth expands your chest, but if you breath through your nose you’ll notice how your abdomen extends. You see, nose-breathing causes the diaphram to pull air to the bottom of your lungs. This delivers a good dose of oxygen into your bloodstream and brain. It also tends to relax you.

Breathing through your nose is healthier, and it’s the basis of this one-minute meditation. You simply close your eyes, let the tension go out of your muscles, let go of your thoughts (to the extent possible), and take four slow, deep breaths through your nose, paying attention to your breathing.

Is Meditation This Easy?

You’re not likey to get you into a deep meditative state with this simple exercise. You will get benefits, though. These will almost certainly include a clearer mind and a reduction in stress.

Try to develope a “trigger” for your meditation. You can do your four breaths when you get into the car, for example, or right after lunch each day. A trigger is a place or time that reminds you, so your meditation becomes a habit.

Some may say this isn’t “real” meditation, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the relaxation you’ll get from this technique. You can always pursue deeper meditation later, if you wish. In the meantime, remember that not everything has to be difficult to be of value. Why not do an easy one-minute meditation right now?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning gratitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement.

You’ll find more at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com

In general, yoga is a very safe form of exercise for most people. For those with specific back conditions, it is advisable to speak with one’s treating physician prior to starting yoga.

Yoga is an ancient practice that helps create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging process, which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Yoga also strives to increase self-awareness on both a physical and psychological level. This allows people to take early collective action, such as adjusting posture, when discomfort is first noticed. Practicing yoga can provide chronic pain sufferers with useful tools to actively cope with their pain and help counter feelings of helplessness and depression.  Laboratory tests have proved the yogi’s increased abilities of consciously controlling autonomic or involuntary functions, such as temperature, heartbeat and blood pressure. Patients who practice yoga have a better chance of gaining the ability to control their breathing problems.

Yoga is dynamite to make you feel younger with heightened mental prowness. Longer life often result from following yogic ways of health maintenance. Yoga is approximately 4,000 years old and is a scientific methodology aimed at uniting the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is believed to reduce pain by helping the brain’s pain center regulate the gate-controlling mechanism located in the spinal cord and the secretion of natural painkillers in the body. Breathing exercises used in yoga can also reduce pain. Yoga has consistently been used to cure and prevent back pain by enhancing strength and flexibility. Both acute and long-term stress can lead to muscle tension and exacerbate back problems.

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga

Biochemical benefits of Yoga are as follows:

1. Sodium decreases.

2. Triglycerides decrease.

3. Cholinesterase increases.

4. Hemoglobin increases.

5. Total white blood cell count decreases.

6. Thyroxin increases.

7. Vitamin C increases.

Exercise Benefits of Yoga:

1. Rapid forceful movements.

2. Increased muscle tension.

3. Moderate to high caloric consumption.

4. Fatiguing.

5. Imbalance activity of opposing groups.

6. Boredom factor.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

Some of the Physiological benefits of Yoga are as follows:

1. Pulse rate decreases.

2. Cardiovascular efficiency increases.

3. Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase.

4. Posture improves.

5. Strength and resiliency increase.

6. Immunity increases.

7. Pain decreases.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Juliet Cohen writes articles for yoga and health. She also writes articles for health beauty tips and family health guide.