Mental Diet

We engage in diets for our physical health we should do the same for our mental health.  Think of how good it feels to lose weight and how it affects other areas of our lives as well.  Now imagine how good it would feel to lose mental weight including the negative and distorted thoughts that weigh you down emotionally.  Distorted thoughts are like extra pounds they weigh you down, make you feel less about yourself, and hold you back from what you are capable of.  The following acronym CREAM is something Emotion Station uses in therapy to help guide you down the mental diet path.

Commitment- Make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.  For each person this is different and at Emotion Station we live by the model small change will drive larger change.  Make small specific changes to your lifestyle to add healthier patterns, routine, and structure and build from there.

Reinforcement-Change hinders on reinforcement as rewards are given as we see progress.  Whether it is losing a couple pounds on the scale or being able to fit into an outfit we have not for a while.  Regardless the reinforcement motivates us to continue.

Effort- Putting forth honest and authentic effort is important when it comes to change because we will have to program a new routine and structure in life and that will take discipline and responsibility.  Effort will challenge mental toughness because at times it is normal to want to turn back to old behavior patterns as they are comfortable.

Accountability- Accountability is important for choices.  Sometimes we are not always capable of making the best choice for ourselves therefore having some accountability helps us make better choices for ourselves.  We get comfortable making self-fulfilling choices not having any accountability to do what is best and right for us and others in relationship with us.

Momentum-Momentum is like building and the more we can see what the completed commitment will look like, the easier it becomes to complete the task.  Riding the momentum is like swimming with the current as it makes navigating through the waters with less turmoil and resistance.

Contact Emotion Station today to get started on your Mental Diet.  239-317-3115.