 Books
by Liz Wilde -
£14.99
Published by Ryland, Peters & Small (out Autumn 2005)
ISBN 1841729736 Buy
MOOD IMPROVERS
Our bodies are set up for happiness. Every cell contains receptors
that are in tune with feelgood chemical messengers known as endorphins.
These neurotransmitters are your body’s natural painkillers
and pleasure seekers, and the good news is, you don’t have
to wait for a spontaneous release to get the benefits.
We get a natural endorphin rush when doing physical exercise (the
bit after it stops hurting), laughing, being with people we love
or feeling completely relaxed. But we can manufacture the same response
by vividly remembering a past emotional experience that recreates
positive emotions in our system.
* It’s easy. Start off relaxed and just think of a happy
thought. The last time your partner did something special for you.
Seeing your children playing. Your friend showing you how much she
cared. Then make this thought more and more vivid in your mind until
you begin feeling the good vibes you experienced at the time it
took place. Allow yourself to really indulge in the sensation until
you become aware of what parts of your body feel good. Do you have
a tingle in your stomach or a warm glow in your heart? Hold that
feeling and really pay attention to it. You want to be able to conjure
up the same sensation again and again, particularly when what’s
going on around you may not be so positive.
* Go all Julie Andrews and make a list of your favourite things.
These can be things people have said to you or done for you, or
simple pleasures such as stroking your cat or cuddling your partner
or child. Now you have a list of the happy thoughts and memories
that you can call on when you want to experience an endorphin rush
anytime, anywhere.
SMILE INDUCERS
Smiling is a very serious business. Taoists believe that when we
smile our organs release a honey-like secretion which nourishes
our whole body. Whether or not a smile can really lubricate us from
the inside, what’s certain is that smiling releases tension
and promotes a feeling a total wellbeing.
* For the next few days, observe what makes you smile spontaneously.
We’re talking a genuine smile, not the socially acceptable
one you put on when meeting someone new. A genuine smile will lift
your spirits and give you the sort of feeling that has you humming
your favourite tune. What events, situations and people produce
your inner (and perhaps outer) smile? Make a note of every smile
sighting until you have a list of spontaneous smile inducers. Then
treat yourself to at least two a day. Remember, these are things
that make you feel good, not things you think should make you feel
good. So if the very thought of going to the gym makes you smile,
then put it on your list. If not, it’s never going to be one
of your spontaneous smilers - however much you want it to be.
As with endorphin-fuelled mood improvers, you can also recreate
a smiley feeling by practising your own inner smile.
* Start by sitting comfortably. You can do this anywhere - on the
bus (although you might want to be looking out of a window), at
work or while stuck in traffic.
* Allow a smile to come into your eyes. Then let it spread to the
rest of your face so the corners of your mouth turn up slightly.
* Now smile into any part of your body that’s tense and feel
it begin to relax.
* Next, smile into any part of your body that feels good and thank
it for working well and keeping you healthy.
* Lastly, smile into the parts of your life that are working and
allow yourself to feel grateful - for a work project that’s
going well, a nurturing friendship or a home that makes you feel
relaxed and secure.
Back to books
|
