So many people fail on diets and exercise plans because they are looking for a "quick fix" - A fad diet, or some miracle pill that will magically melt 50 lbs. Well, for now, that pill or diet does not exist. BUT, I do have a fool-proof, scientifically proven strategy to drastically improve your health. Your health will increase exponentially; You will be amazed! So, okay, I purposefully wanted to sound like a late-night infomercial, but all kidding aside, the following two words and implementing this practice WILL change your health. Saying “THANK YOU” and practicing an approach of gratitude in your life will in fact change your health. So, what do I mean? Let me explain. Cultivating gratitude is a concept that is prevalent this time of year, but can be practiced all year long for sustainable health benefits. Per psychology professor, Robert Emmons – University of California - Now, through a recent movement called positive psychology, mental health professionals are taking a close look at how virtues such as gratitude can benefit our health. And they're reaping some promising results. 1. Grateful people are healthier. "Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, regular physical examinations," Emmons tells WebMD. Many studies report grateful people report fewer symptoms of physical symptoms of pain. A 2007 study of hypertension patients reported a significant decrease in their systolic blood pressure. Another study on long-term depression practiced writing down five things they were thankful for everyday and after just a few weeks were already beginning to show significant improvement. 2. Gratitude strengthens our positive emotions. From a position of gratitude, we naturally feel the world is a better place, things will get better, and anxiety tends to diminish. Writing down what you are grateful for and reading it aloud sends positive messages to your subconscious which in turn quells those persistent doubts, concerns and negative messages we received or may have even nurtured in our past. It is incongruous to our consciousness to be both grateful and anxious or depressed at the same time. When you feel positive you tend to feel you can make positive changes and be confident these changes will be successful. 3. Gratitude increases self-esteem. When we allow ourselves to dwell on negatives, we may fall into a sense of hopelessness or despair. If you feel like you are the bottom of the well and no rescue is in sight, losing weight or eating healthy have no appeal. What’s the point? It only appeals to someone who is increasingly positive about the outcomes they will enjoy as they eat healthier and begin to shed excess weight naturally. In your mind, you should practice seeing yourself as you once were or expect to become, healthy, happy, making positive choices and enjoying the life you want to enjoy. This is the same technique used in visualization to keep you focused on the goals you want for yourself by envisioning and feeling exactly what it will be like. 4. Gratitude improves sleep. The inability to stay asleep normally or difficulty going to sleep are usually associated with either what you are eating, depression, or anxiety. Taking time to think about the things you are truly grateful for in your life tends to knock the wind out of the sails of depression. Instead of thinking about what you do not yet have, think about the things you do have and try to find five different things each day to be thankful for. In one week you will have 35 things to be grateful for, in two weeks 70, etc. You will overwhelm your “don’t haves” with “do haves.” You will sleep better knowing you have a rich life now and it will only be getting better. 5. Gratitude increases energy levels, depression is an energy thief. When you are happy and satisfied with the progress in your life, energy flows from your positive thoughts. Use this energy to make more positive changes and remove those things in your life, which zap your energy including people, habits and things that are simply not helping you. Practice gratitude every day. Incorporate into your daily life. Keep a gratitude journal. Enjoy your family over the Thanksgiving holiday and be THANKFUL. Your biggest cheerleader, Nat P.S. Wishing you could get into your favorite clothes again? Tired of "dieting"? Looking for simple steps to get your body back? I'd love to hear your struggles and give you ideas on how I can help in a free Success Session call. Just send me an email if you're interested: natalie@fireduppfitness.com

#gratitude #sleep #selfesteem