Laughter is the Best Medicine

Fall weather and football season is just around the corner. While we are in the midst of a long labor day weekend we should slow down and recharge our souls.

We have long heard that laughter is the best medicine, science is now backing up that claim. Research shows that there is a cortisol reaction that causes an increase in production of endorphins when we are smiling and laughing. Laughter causes other beneficial physical changes such as improved circulation, stimulation of the nervous system, heightened immune system, and making the heart stronger.

Did you know that adults laugh 15 times per day, but children laugh 400 times per day. Do you often wish you could feel like you did when you were a child? I know I do, maybe this is why we were so much happier.

Find something funny to laugh at today.

The What If Continued....

The What If challenge is a really tough one. I think my mind naturally wants to focus on every obstacle and see the negative possibilities.

One of my biggest challenges at the moment is with my two year old. If I had my way, he would eat baby food until he was thirty and play in a padded room. Well that is just not possible, so every time I have worries of him choking or getting hurt I take a deep breath and work on the reality that he has to explore and learn. What benefit would I be doing to him, teaching him to be a worrier just like me.

Some days I think that some of my problems are control issues. I am not a controlling sort of person, but I don't like surprises either. I always think that if I know what is around the corner I can handle it better.

It's those pesky What Ifs again.

My challenge for myself tomorrow is to do just one thing out of my comfort zone. I'll let you know what I find.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts,
Amy

The What Ifs......

Last night as I was in my bed trying to go to sleep, the What Ifs crept in. They always seem to show up about that time. The room is dark and quiet, the kids are in bed & it's time to dance around in my head and create all kinds of havoc.

However this time it was the source of an idea for my blog. What if the what ifs were not always bad? For me they have always been full of doom and gloom, never full of promise and hope. How hard could that be to switch it around?

So my focus this week is an experiment to try and get rid of those pesky creepy little what ifs and focus on the what ifs like a flower. They could all plant the seed to greatness.

I think of how those thoughts have brought such strife into my life. Think what I could accomplish if I didn't have to deal with that.

Do the What If Gremlins rule your thoughts too? This week I will blog all week about switching my thoughts. Stay tuned.......& let me know how your doing. Drop me a note about your what ifs, put "Gremlins" in the subject. Send your email to amy@thehatchedegg.com.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts,
Amy

Habits

Creating a string of new habits is key to recovering from Anxiety. I have found that there were many things in my life that needed to be adjusted. Just think about your anxiety as a pyramid, there are many levels that create the whole pyramid. Every thing is not going to change overnight.

First we have to tackle our FEAR - Does it still have control over you? Does your imagination still run wild? FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real! It's not real! It doesn't have to have a grip on you. You are in control not the fear.



Today try somthing that is out of your comfort zone. It could be anything that you usually avoid. This is a great opportunity to see how strong you are.

Once you are done log into the forum and tell us what you did. We look forward to hearing from you.

Click here to go directly to the forum.

Wishing you peaceful thoughts,
Amy