One Thing You Can Do Today To Have A Great 2021

My Daily Mantra To A Positive Mindset

During Covid, it is no secret that levels of anxiety, depression and mental health issues that people have been experiencing have skyrocketed. One study outlined that there has been a 4X increase in stress and anxiety levels amongst Canadians since the start of Covid. Another study outlined that depression levels amongst Canadians has more than doubled since the beginning of Covid. Through my company Advica Health, we have a service available for members to get assistance with any mental health issues and we personally have witnessed the reach out for this service skyrocket since the beginning of Covid.

This time of year many of us look at what we can do differently in the New Year to positively affect our health and wellness. When I was out Cross Country skiing last week I was asking myself ‘What is the single most important information I can share with my audience that would have a positive effect on their lives in 2021″? The answer –  My Daily Mantra.

There is a thought process that I go through every day that literally takes about a minute or two that puts me in a super positive mindset so I wanted to share it with you. I find that any stress or anxiety that I am feeling that day immediately dissipates when I go through this daily ritual. While I was cross country skiing that day, I went through my daily “Mantra” and couldn’t help but come away feeling super positive and in a happy place.

1. Be In The Present

In this step, I really try to focus in on everything going on around me and what is happening. I truly try to just be present in that moment and fully experience everything that is going on around me. So while out for my ski I was noticing the snow all around me, the beautiful iced-up forest I was skiing through, the feel of the wind on my face, the wet of some sweat on my face, my breathing, and all the beauty that surrounded me. I believe that by being present in the moment and taking time to notice everything around us, it slows our typical racing mind down and acts as a form of meditation. To learn more about my 5 Strategies For Living In The Moment, you can access it here: https://kevinbradyhealth.ca/5-strategies-to-live-in-the-moment/ ‎

2. Appreciation

During this phase of my Mantra, I think of all the things in my life that I am grateful for at that moment. This varies daily by what is happening in my life at that moment. To share my Mantra while I was skiing, I was super grateful to just be doing what I was doing (skiing, exercising, and enjoying nature). The opportunity to be outside, exercising, the beauty of the mountains, grateful for my wife Barb, our great children(I am a little biased!), and our good fortune. You can think of as many things you are grateful for as you wish and think about why you are grateful for those things in your life. There are continual studies that show the positive impact on our mental well being by being grateful and appreciative.

According to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences, grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and they also report feeling healthier than other people

3.Love

During this portion of my Mantra, I use it as an opportunity to think of all those that I love and those that have had a positive impact on me and my life. I typically start by thinking about my wife Barb, our children, our families, and friends. I also use this as a time to think about those that I love that are no longer with us in this life such as my Mom and Dad, relatives, and other family members and friends that have passed on. I also use this time as a time to pray and send positive thoughts to people I know of that are experiencing health issues themselves.

4.The Future Is Bright

I find that many of us seem to be focused on the past and what we “should have done” or “could have done” differently. We can’t change our past however we can choose to alter what we are doing daily and in the future. I find that one of the best things I can do for my Mental well being is to get excited about the future. During this phase of my mantra, I think about all the things I am truly excited about that are on the horizon. You may focus your thoughts on any time frame you wish as long as it is in the future. These could be things you are excited about in the next day, week, month, year, or years ahead. The future is a “Bright Light” that guides us and provides us with hope and excitement.

Put The Mantra Into Action – When?

There is no better time to start your Mantra than right now in order to kick off 2021 to be your best year ever. I challenge you to start your Mantra today and practice it every day over the next week. If you are like many others I have shared this with, you will immediately experience the positive benefits of doing it and it will become a habit. I have personally been practicing this ritual for the last 4 + years and rarely miss a day.

The other question I get is “When is the best time to do it?” This is your choice however I find that I typically do it while I am exercising and in particular while outdoors as I have time to think and not be rushed. If I don’t do it while exercising then I do it just before I go to sleep at night. It gives me a great positive and relaxed feeling before drifting off for the night.

Summary

1.Be In The Present

2.What are you grateful for?

3. Who Do You Love? – Current and Past

4. The Future is Bright.

I wish you and your family a happy and healthy week,

Kev

—