Start Afresh

Happy New year-  Start Afresh
New year is just a few days away. 2016 was momentous for the nation and the world. Each of us also had our own challenges, our victories,  some losses,  some gains, some good news and some unwelcome . Lets welcome the new year with a light heart and leave some of the heaviness behind in 2016. Here are 5 suggestions to help you start fresh in the new year. The trick is to practice these skills throughout the year. Feel free to print this sheet and use it over and over.
1.    Let go of the past grudges, anger, frustration,  hurts and disappointments. Forgive the people involved. Forgiveness lightens the heart, make space for love and compassion. There are a couple of ways of doing this. Write down on a piece of paper what has been challenging to forgive or forget. Visualize putting this piece of paper in a balloon and let it go. Watch it  fly away,  high up in the sky. Tear up the piece of paper into small pieces and let the wind carry it away Set your intention to not let the unforgiving thoughts bother you any more. Practice that intention every day.
2.     Practice gratitude. Each day every day practice giving thanks for one thing in your life you are grateful for. Research suggests that being thankful for small things in life brings about positive feelings.  Check out : http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/expandinggratitude
3.     Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness means maintaining an awareness of our bodily sensations, thoughts, feelings and surroundings with acceptance and without judgement. Bring it into your life daily, be it playing with the kids, washing dishes, taking a shower, getting frustrated with yourself or your spouse. Studies have shown how mindfulness is helpful and beneficial to us.  Check out  http://www.mindful.org/mindfuls-top-12-posts-of-2016/

4,    Change Negative thoughts to positive ones. Practice daily and often. Notice when your thoughts are negative and catastrophic, in the next breath bring a positive thought into your awareness with intention. Over time you will notice the difference in your perspective. Counter the irrational thoughts by challenging them.
5.     Bring a smile to your day, uplift your mood by laughing together with a family member, a friend, a coworker, Listen to a talk, a podcast, a show that is funny or thoughtful or uplifting. Limit the use of social media.
If you would like to learn more about these techniques, please call the office to set up an appointment at 201-952-9905.
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