So many times we have what I like to call mind chatter going on in our heads. This is the little voice inside, the voice that tires to drive you crazy and often succeeds! I will even go as far as to bet that you don’t even know it’s there! And this mind chatter holds the key to all of your fears. It is the voice the heralds doom, lack, and losing.

We are so used to its presence we often don’t even notice it is talking to us. The problem with this mindless chatter is that when you think a thought long enough it begins to build up a manifestation that will eventually come to pass. Your mind chatter has a great deal of power in your life. So what does mind chatter sound like? Well it sounds something like this:

If I call him maybe he’ll think I want too much too fast, but maybe if I don’t call him he’ll think I don’t really like him. But if I call him and his voice mail answers I’ll start thinking about where he is and then I will be so upset because then I will know he is out with another woman, or maybe he is ignoring my call. But if I don’t call then he may not think I like him. But if I call he’ll know I do like him and he’ll probably start avoiding me because I am going too fast for him. I wonder why he hasn’t called me yet. Maybe I was rude today when I saw him at the coffee shop. Maybe I should have been a little nicer to him, but I was thinking “oh my god look at what I am wearing!” And I looked so fat in that dress; I told myself not to wear that in public. And my make up was terrible. He must have thought I did not like him, when really I was thinking about how I was dressed. I wonder if he heard through the grapevine that I went out the other night. Well, I don’t think he should expect me to sit home every night when he does not call and ask me out. He has a lot of nerve if he expects that. The next time I see him I’ll ask him why he hasn’t called. We were supposed to go to the movies this week and he didn’t even remember. I’m going to confront him about that when he calls. I’m not going to be judgmental, but I am certainly going to let him know how I feel! Maybe I should just send him a text message to see if he responds.

No wonder so many of us hate being alone and can’t be in a room or the car without turning on the radio or TV for company. We will find anything just to escape this insanity! We are all victims to our chatterboxes at some point in our lives. But there is help!

To stop your Mind Chatter you need to learn how to stop your subconscious mind’s habit of “running off at the mouth” so to speak. You have to first recognize that you have mind chatter happening. You need to pay attention to your mind chatter and what it is saying. If your mind chatter is negative and using words like I can’t, I should, or what will I do, then you need to stop the voice going on inside your head immediately. Change your thought process. Begin to get control of your subconscious mind by thinking I’M OK, I can handle this, even start saying some positive affirmations like “I can figure out how to make this work.” “I am smart and successful.”

You need to do this over and over again – until your negative mind chatter is replaced with positive dialogue.

You are going to have conversations in your head all the time; however you can change the mind chatter. Our mind loves to be busy and in the absence of other information, our minds sometimes fill themselves with worries, doubts or fears. There is a saying that says “When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what you say, you’re listening… and recording it in your memory.” The subconscious mind believes everything it sees, hears, and tastes as truth. It is continually recording and storing information for your future reference.

Brian Tracey says:

“Perhaps the most powerful influence on your attitude and personality is what you say to yourself, and believe. It is not what happens to you, but how you respond internally to what happens to you, that determines your thoughts and feeling and, ultimately, your actions. By controlling your inner dialogue, or “self-talk,” you can begin to assert control over every other dimension of your life.”

To get an action plan, a daily routine in place to take control of your mind chatter you are going to need tools to help you get there. Just like you have to have certain tools for your job, or school, or even cooking, you need tools to change your mind chatter!

Tool List:

mp3 player or an cd player

Inspiration cds or mp3’s.

Inspirational books.

Index cards

Positive quotes and Positive Affirmations

Here is a typical day on how to use your positive tools. Remember the whole point is to out talk your negatively!

When you start to wake up begin to think on positive, happy thoughts. Think of one of your goals and pretend it is accomplished. What does it feel like to have it accomplished? What do you see or have now that your goal is accomplished?

After you have finished thinking on your accomplished goal put on music that will calm you or lift your spirits. Nothing negative- and while this is playing, continue to think on your goals and affirmations watching your mind chatter.

Look at your affirmations you have listed on your index cards and say them aloud as you go about your morning routine. Keep watching the mind chatter that will try and creep in. As soon as you are aware of the negative mind chatter keep replacing this negativity with your affirmations. Out talk your chatterbox!

As you go to work or school turn your car into a classroom by listening to a positive teaching cd or mp3 that will help you! Use this time in your car to educate yourself and to promote change in your life.

While at school or work pay attention to the amount of negative that is swirling around you. Do not get sucked in. Speak positive or use what your mother told you- if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all.

And lastly before you go to bed at night read a chapter in your positive book and review your night time affirmations before going to sleep.

As you begin to implement these changes into your daily routine you will see how positive thinking changes everything in your life, and without your negative chatterbox you will wonder what you were always so afraid of before.

Feeling stressed, but don’t have much time to relax?  Why not try some quick relaxation strategies!  Below you’ll find a few simple, soothing ideas to help you relax quickly and promote inner peace and harmony in no time.

(1) Breathe Deeply – When stressed, we take shallow, rapid breaths which trigger the body’s stress response.  Taking even one or two slow, deep breaths will help to activate your body’s relaxation response.  When practicing deep breathing, be sure to expand your belly before your chest as you breathe in slowly through your nose and then slowly exhale out through your mouth.

(2) Take Time Out for Tea –  Tea is known for its healing properties and the warmth of hot tea is very soothing to the body.  When we drink it, we take time to slow down and become mindful.  Mindfulness, living fully in the present moment without regretting the past or worrying about the future, is a great stress reliever.  For an added boost try Chamomile tea which is known for its calming effects.

(3)  Slip Into a Warm Bath – The warmth of the bath soothes the body and its solitude gives us an opportunity to relax and go within.  Make your bath extra special with candlelight and relaxing music such as Enya’s Shepherd Moons CD.  Adding Epsom Salt, which contains magnesium, will also calm your nervous system and help you sleep.

(4)  Discover Aromatherapy – The calming effects of herbal Lavender have been prized for centuries.  Add just a couple drops of Lavender essential oil to your bath or a scent diffuser and let the soothing begin.  For more information on Aromatherapy, check out “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood.

(5)  Create a Gratitude Journal – Journaling can be a great stress management tool.  To create a Gratitude Journal, choose a journal that you like and every evening write down five things for which you are grateful.  This creates a positive focus and helps you to realize all that you have to be thankful for.

(6)  Choose a Cue – Cue-controlled or “anchor” relaxation is about choosing a sign in your daily environment to serve as a signal to yourself to relax.  This can be anything from a sticker you place on your phone at work to a piece of artwork you see frequently.  When you see your cue, simply take a couple of deep, calming breaths and do a quick body scan.  If you notice that you are holding tension anywhere (for example, your shoulders), consciously notice the tension as you inhale through your nose and release the tension as you exhale through your mouth.

(7)   Let Nature Nurture – Why not try a walking meditation on your lunch hour or anytime you need a break?  On your walk, be sure to really notice all of the sights, sounds and smells around you.  Taking note of nature’s amazing beauty and abundance promotes serenity and will help make any problems you are facing seem smaller and less severe.  

For more great tips on stress management, relaxation and wellness as well as complete deep breathing instructions, be sure to visit my website at www.tranquilitybaywellness.com.   Always remember, the purpose of life is joy!