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Strategies to help you cope.
(A) Rethink:
(1) Rethink your negative self-talk.
(2) Show gratitude:
Gratitude is the ability to experience everything in your life as a gift.
Unfortunately, many people use the “if and then” model for happiness, e.g., If I get this new computer, then I will feel happy., or, If I get more money, then I will feel happy. The difficulty with this type of thinking is that we attach happiness to these material things. You may set yourself up for disappointment if you focus your attention and energy on your need for materials things in your life to bring you happiness.
Rather than doing this, examine your life and write down something positive about your life and make this an affirmation for your gratitude list.
Frequently reading your gratitude list will help you “RETHINK”, “REDO“, and “REWIRE” your brain away from the negative self-talk.
In other words, you will reprogram your brain to help you experience more happiness.
FYI – A significant affirmation for a brain injury survivor is that they survived one of the leading causes of death.
(B) Redo:
(1) Redo your new normal.
(2) No matter what you’re going through in life you always have access to joy and happiness and it comes from giving and helping other people.
NOTE: Volunteering or giving to others increases the production of three brain chemicals — dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. These chemicals will improve your mood which explains why you feel good when you give to others. Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose and appreciation.
(3) Find three things in your life that are going well for you today and write this down to remind yourself.
(C) Rewire:
(1) Live in the Now.
“Circumstances do you not make a man, they reveal him.”
It is easy for someone to use problems from their past as an excuse for refusing to take a risk in their life today.
There are countless excuses that people can make such as, headaches, fatigue, memory problems, anxiety, etc, but there are also many strategies that someone can learn to use to help them cope.
(2) It is important to remember that you are the final product of the choices you make today.
I always remember the following saying,
“If it is to be, it is up to me.”
(3) Use Meditation and Mindfulness to help you focus on your NOW.
I understand that these suggestions might seem difficult, but remember, “The Longest Journey begins with a single step.”
Wishing you the best.
Reference: “The Essential Wayne Dyer Collection”
By: Dr. Wayne Dyer
