Managing Stress Class: Think a Little Happy Thought

This is the continuation of the managing stress class I'm attending at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in San Francisco:

The first thing we were asked to do was to think of a couple of happy memories. Why? Because happy memories, or happy thoughts make you feel-well-happy! And when you're happy is there any time for stress? No!

Here is a list of what you might feel when you are thinking sad, distressing thoughts:

• Negative


• Nervous


• Alone


• Angry


• Blame


• Hate


• Stuck


• Crying


• Low energy-or no energy


• Wanting to give up


• and of course...Un-happy

When you feel distressing thoughts on a chronic level, then it begins to affect your body. Usually this is :

• Ache


• Pain in the joints


• Soar


• Lethargic


• Weak


• Sickness

*remember stress is just the messenger that is saying stop what you are doing, stop what you are thinking-when chronic stress happens sickness can occur, and this is almost like an eviction because you didn't listen to all of the messages the landlord has been sending you. Sickness means you have to stop and take care of yourself.

When you think of good things that could happen in the future, things that made you smile in the past you begin to feel:

• Happy


• Energetic


• Warm


• Smiling


• Patient with others


• Release of tension in the body


• Loving


• Connected to the world

I know some people get freaked out when people say positive thinking is all you need. "No way that's impossible," some people will say. But, would you rather think positive thoughts and get your work done, or think negative thoughts and get your work done?

Its important to remember positive thinking doesn't just happen overnight especially if you're already feeling really down right depressed. Thinking the cup is half full takes time and practice-so take the time to practice those thoughts, even if you just start with one a day-write it down, look for new memories to feel good about throughout your day, and document it!