Ever wondered why we ask you what’s been making you smile lately or give you recommendations for daily mental relaxation? Well, the power of your thoughts may be stronger than you’ve ever realised….

Here at Chiropractic Balance we have a wealth of information about various lifestyle choices you can make to lead healthier more fulfilled lives but why does it feel so hard to make some of these changes even though you know they are better for you?

I recently finished reading a great book titled “Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” by Dr Joe Dispenza, a world renowned neuroscientist and chiropractor. He sheds some light on how we can create the lives we want to live each day.

Dr Dispenza uses latest research and studies to show that our consciousness produces effects in our reality and that our environment is in fact an extension of our mind. He explains that our emotions are end products of our experiences and also what enable us to form relationships with other people. Our memories of these emotions form our moods and temperaments and end up affecting the way we think, act and feel – in other words, our personality. Dr Dispenza’s definition of emotional intelligence is “getting on with life” and not letting unregulated emotions drive your way of thinking and define your identity.

For most of us, 95% of who we are sits in a subconscious program defined by our past experience and reactions. How can we create a new future if we live by the same old emotions and feelings of the past? If we really want to change, we need to recognise those emotions that are unhelpful and don’t serve us any good as well as the thoughts associated with those emotions – you know the ones – “you’re not good enough”, “you don’t deserve this”, “ you can start tomorrow”, “someone else will sort it out”…. If we can identify these thought processes and feelings we can make sure they never go by unregulated again. We can be aware of what not to put our energy behind and use this new energy towards being who you really want to be.

Now, you may be wondering how we can put these wise words into practice and the answer is meditating. In ancient languages meditation refers to “becoming familiar with” or “cultivating self”. It has been used throughout the ages as a way of contemplating, concentrating and focusing. Dr Dispenza writes about the different states and brain waves active during meditation and explains how old neural networks in the brain are broken and new ones formed. As humans we learn by laws of association and laws of repetition. Through meditation we can learn to change by being actively aware and in control of our thoughts and their associated feelings and emotions (the brain’s neural networks). And daily repetition of this enables us to create the life we want to lead.

I still call myself a novice when it comes to meditation but have found the following tips from Dr Dispenza invaluable in making this a daily activity.

·       Find a place in your home where you can be comfortable and left alone.

·      Think of an emotion that has been troubling you and write a list of all the negative thoughts associated with that emotion that you hear in your head when you feel that way.

·       Sitting in a comfortable position, take time to focus on your breathing and the space around you. Refer back to the list you made and recognise that those emotions and thoughts don’t serve you, let them go.

·       As you let those negative feelings go, use your energy and happiness to focus on the things you do want. Be grateful for what you already have and what you will have in the future.

·       Most importantly make sure that when you get up from your meditation that you feel better than when you sat down. Each day you want to be a better version of yourself.

If you’re new to meditation like me and need some guidance or help to be quiet and focus on yourself, then why not try a guided mediation or podcast to help you? – There are also many mindfulness apps available these days. And if you’re interested in reading more about the science behind how our brain works and the power of your mind, go to www.drjoedispenza.com or keep an eye on our lending library as I’ll be adding some books on this topic soon!