Do you notice when negative, self-destructive thoughts creep into your mind? Do you think discourage yourself with negative self-talk? These negative self-destructive thoughts can rob you of a happy and fulfilling life if you don't control them.

 Are you entertaining these thoughts sometimes? Take a look at some examples below and some suggestions on how to overcome them.

No one understands me. If you feel this way, share your thoughts with the right people around you. Also, try to cultivate a circle of like-minded people with who you can share your thoughts. This will help you gain confidence in your ability to express yourself.

 I don't have enough time to "---------------------" (lose weight, practice my hobbies, go after my dreams, write a book, e.t.c). Start working to create a healthy balance in your life. Create time each day to do the things that make you happy. Fit your favorite activities into your very busy day. Start small by scheduling 15 minutes every day for yourself. When you practice this consistently, you will find yourself making time for the things that really matter to you.

I don't deserve to have a happy life. Perhaps choices you have made in the past have caused you considerable psychological pain. You have been beating yourself up emotionally over those decisions. However, if you have identified them as poor choices, you have learned not to repeat them. 

Congratulate yourself for learning from those mistakes. You have gained new knowledge to use from this day forward.

Confront those thoughts with "I deserve to have a happy life. I have learnt from my mistakes."

Things never seem to work out for me. This is a general statement about how you feel about yourself. It sends a message."I must not be doing something right. Something is wrong with me."

In reality, you likely do many things well. Spend sometime identifying what those things are. Also, identify the things that are going well. Take time to write them down.You may be focusing on what is not working well and barely noticing the things that are going well. 

If I can't do it perfectly, then I am not doing it at all. You want to do everything excellently, that's understandable. But, how will you try anything new if it has to be perfect? Thinking this way will prevent you from venturing outside your comfort zone.

Replace those thoughts with"If at first I don't succeed. I will keep trying till I do."

Allow yourself to try new things, make mistakes and learn as you grow.

I am afraid to do the things I really want to do. What are you specifically afraid of? It could be embarrassment, failure, or what others will think? The key is that, even though you feel the fear, you must do the thing you want to do anyway, otherwise, you will never know what positive things could happen as a result of you following your dreams.

When negative thoughts begin to invade your life, replace them with these positive thoughts.

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The first step towards living a healthy lifestyle is taking responsibility for our health and wellness. Creating a healthy lifestyle plan for yourself will help you take the necessary actions that will make you look and feel healthier and stronger. You can work with your healthcare provider to know your risk factors for certain diseases so you can avoid them.

Benefits of Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan

• It will help you form healthy habits for a healthy lifestyle.
• It will help you manage any existing chronic disease or condition.
• You will be equipped to avoid risk factors that can cause some diseases like cancer.
• A good health plan will improve your quality of life.

Developing a Plan for Healthy Living

These are critical areas to focus on as you create your lifestyle plan.

Nutrition

A vital part of your plan is the foods you consume.  Make these things a part of your plan:

Eat nutritious foods that are cultivated organically.

Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day

Add fruits and vegetables to your diet. 

Add fiber to your diet.

Reducing or eliminating alcohol and tobacco intake.

Exercising

Exercising is another important element of your wellness plan. Not only does exercise help you lose or maintain your weight, but it also increases the amount of available oxygen throughout the body. The cells, muscles, bones, and other components of the body are heavily dependent on oxygen and the body's ability to properly circulate the blood. A healthy, oxygenated body will have more energy, which will make you more productive and happier.

 Exercising doesn't mean spending lots of money on a gym membership. Walk around your neighborhood, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk through a nearby mall and you will see the benefits. You could also invest in a workout DVD to use in the privacy of your home or use a workout video on YouTube. Make a commitment to use it four times a week.

Reduce Stress

Finding ways to cope with stress is very important. Uncontrolled stress can cause harm to your body. Some ways to deal with stress include doing things you enjoy like hobbies, watching a movie, reading a book, or getting a manicure.

Identify stressful people or places in your life and find ways to deal with them productively and if that is not possible, pull away from them. Talk with trusted friends, counselors, or a support group to help you deal with the stressors in your life. Please consider getting professional medical help if you can not handle it alone anymore.

Remember that creating a healthy lifestyle plan should also include working with your healthcare provider to ensure you are taking the right medications if necessary, getting screened for conditions when appropriate, and identifying and eliminating risk factors to your health.

Finally, evaluate your progress with your healthcare provider to know if your plan is working. You can always adjust your plan if necessary.

Read Here: Paying Attention To Your Body For Optimal Health