It's Time To Change!

Ever tried to change a habit? 

If you have and you're over 35 years of age you may have noticed how difficult it is.

The reason change becomes more challenging as we get older is because by the age of 35 we are basically operating from our subconscious programming.

In our early years, through our teens, twenties, and thirties we install programmes into our mind and body from our experiences, so that by the time we are 35 our behaviours are 95% subconscious!

We are creatures of habit, we learn how to do something and then we no longer have to consciously implement each step in a process, our subconscious mind just automatically takes control. 

At an early age, this can be seen in learning to walk, we struggle at first, but once our brain and body have the walking programme installed we just do it without conscious effort.

We then learn to ride a bike, the same thing happens.

Then we learn to drive, and after a while, the driving programme takes over and we can sometimes (if we are busy thinking about other things) drive from one place to another without even realising how we got there!

The difficulty implementing change comes from the fact that once we decide to make that change we are using 5% conscious effort against 95% subconscious programming.  

The conventional way that we try to make changes in our behaviours or habits requires enormous amounts of will power and more often than not we fail. We fail because we are trying to use the programme to change the programme, trying to use the ego to change the ego. Our body wants to do what it's always done, our nervous system wants to fire in the same way that it always has.

Trying to fight the subconscious is more often than not a futile endeavour; 5% will against 95% programme is never going to have favourable odds for change.
If we really want to over-ride our programmed habits we must find a different way.

Rather than fight against the subconscious, we can have a greater impact if we tap into it and make changes at that level.

This is where meditation comes in.

During meditation the conscious mind becomes quieter, the incessant internal chatter subsides and we enter a state of increased suggestibility whereby we can access the subconscious and make changes to the programme.

There are no hard and fast rules as to how you should meditate, you don't have to follow a religion, sit in the lotus position, wear robes, burn incense or wear flowers in your hair or beads around your neck!

You can meditate anytime, anywhere.

Just follow your breath and don't try to fight your thoughts or berate yourself for them. Notice the thoughts and then return to the breath.

You can change. 

You can change at any time. 

You just need to stop fighting the programmes you're operating by.

Change the way you make changes.

Less thinking, more breathing.

Less doing, more being.

The Foundations of Health & Happiness

Are you unsure where to start on your health journey in 2020?

It can certainly be a confusing minefield in the information overload of the internet!

At this time of the year, in particular, many of you will be trying to implement new healthy habits into your life, so let's make it easy.

There are 6 foundation principles of health that I focus on with my clients. 

THINKING

BREATHING

DRINKING

EATING

MOVING

SLEEPING

Most people start in the wrong place, they join a gym and go on a strict diet. 

The gym is silly busy in January with everyone's new year's resolutions kicking in, and diet groups such as Weightwatchers and Slimming world are inundated with new sign-ups.  

You may have followed this path yourself and found that after the initial 'good intention' phase has passed, you slide back into your old ways of not exercising and making poor food choices?

If you want sustainable, long-term health & happiness, the first place to start is with your thoughts.

Get your mind right and everything else will fall into place.

I'll delve deeper into the foundation principles in future posts to help you to achieve optimal health and happiness in your own life and negate the need for drastic, unsustainable resolutions.

For now, be aware of your thoughts, witness them and start to notice how they are directing your life.

Until next time

Keep smiling!