toxins

Toxins - ately, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of detoxes. Typically, a detox refers to a dietary plan that is intended to remove toxic chemicals and pollutants from within the body. Equally important as detoxifying the body is the need to detoxify the mind.

Detox - The mind has between 15,000-60,000 thoughts per day, most of which are repetitive. There is a direct correlation between what a person thinks and how they behave. Brooke Castillo introduced me to the following concept: Our thoughts produce our feelings. Our feelings direct our actions. Our actions create our results. Our results either prove the original thought or (in my experience) intensify the original thought.

cleanse - Because of the cyclical effect of these thoughts, when we don't monitor our thoughts, they can get out of control, creating unintended effects on a person's life. In essence, it results in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

A mental detox is a process by which you can remove negative thoughts and replace them with more empowering thoughts that better serve you. There are three basic steps to conducting a mental detox.

1. Become conscious of your negative thoughts. Simply write down all negative thoughts that swirl around in your head. Don't judge these thoughts. Rather, get curious about them. The more curious you are, the more easily you'll see all of the negative thoughts you have. Once you can shine a light on what you're actually thinking, it becomes easier to manage.

2. Gather evidence to the contrary of the negative thought. Think of yourself as an attorney or a private investigator. Reflect on times when your actions and behaviors have proved the exact opposite of your negative thought. For example, if you say to yourself, "I'm not good enough," make a list of things you have accomplished.

3. Consciously choose a new better feeling thought that is believable to you. The key is that the new thought must be realistic and believable to you. Usually, this means not going to the exact opposite thought. Instead, focus on a thought that produces a slightly better feeling. Once you've mastered that feeling, you can keep moving up the ladder.

Researchers have found that when an individual becomes aware of his or her negative thoughts, and consciously redirects those thoughts toward ones that are more positive and healthy, the brain releases chemicals that weaken negative neurological associations and create new positive neurological associations.

Plan to engage in a daily mental detoxification process to obtain the best results. As you detox your negative thoughts, you'll notice that your mood is uplifted, it is easier to take productive action, and you access more of your creativity and resourcefulness.