Think Positively for Better Health

If it’s true we are what we eat, then we are also what we think.

Many studies have shown that maintaining a positive outlook on life affects your physical health, including a Mayo Clinic article that says when we think positive thoughts, our bodies naturally have more vitality by boosting our immune system, providing greater resistance to illness and better coping skills during stressful times. However, if you are feeling depressed for an extended period of time, talk with your doctor.

Here are some ways to ease your mind out of the blues and into happier thoughts:

Move Your Body
Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett recommends physical activity as a great way to pick up your mood and thus improve your thoughts. Walk, jog, join a group fitness class, work out at a gym or at home using a fitness DVD or put on your favorite music and dance. You’ll feel better while also burning calories.

Count Your Blessings
We can forget how much good we already have in our lives when we focus on our challenges. Take a moment to write down everything you are thankful for. You may be surprised at how long your list is.

Laugh
Simply enjoying laughs with a friend or watching a funny movie can dissipate negativity, generating positive emotions and positive thoughts.

Help Someone Else
Mentor a child with your special skill; volunteer as a Big Brother or Big Sister or serve a meal at a soup kitchen. When you realize how much you have to offer others, your thoughts will become positive in a heartbeat.

Take a Breather
When life feels busy, our thoughts can become clouded. Take a few moments for yourself and do nothing at all – simply rest. When you resume your activities, you will be refreshed and full of positive emotion about how much you will accomplish.

Get Outside
Being outdoors can work wonders at letting go of stress. Flowers, trees, animals and fresh air can instantly replace worries with positive thoughts and confidence that you are going to be fine.

Remember, positive thoughts are powerful and play an integral role for leading a happy and healthy life.

Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing the program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 7,800 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries.

The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, cardio box and Latin style movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall "feel good" factor.  Additional Jazzercise programs include Junior Jazzercise, Jazzercise Lite and Personal Touch.  For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com