At the gym today, I overheard an exchange between a couple people. Well, mainly one person who was complaining — with great emphasis — about another person in her life who always seems to get what he wants while she struggles. And on. And on. And … on. I tied my shoes, got my iPod and headed out of that area as fast as I could. It didn’t involve me, but it made me feel icky just listening to it. (Plus I really, really, really wanted to tell her that maybe she should start paying more attention to what that other person does to have an awesome life and try some of that vs. all the complaining about how unfair it is!)

This is the power of words. They can make you feel great. And they can make you feel awful. When you say them, but, even when you … think them. What exists in your mind affects how you feel. Direct connection. From brain to body. Try this short experiment, and prove it to your own self. It’ll blow your mind and help you better understand this connection so you’re more likely to turn your thoughts around before they turn into illness.

Here we go: First: Think about something that makes you totally frustrated or angry. Pick only one very specific memory. Close your eyes, and re-live that scenario for a few minutes. When you get done, take note of how you feel — emotionally and physically.

Done with the above? Next: Think of someone you love and a happy moment you’ve spent with them. Or some other happy moment. Again, close your eyes, and picture that scene in your mind for a couple minutes. Note your feelings and how your body responds.

Big difference in what was going on, right? Most likely, in the first example, you grew tense and felt stressed out pretty fast. If you continued with those thoughts, you might get a headache, feel sick, experience pain or fatigue. In the second example, you calmed down and felt much more at peace. You smiled; you were relaxed. If that one continued, you’d have more energy, boost your immune system, ward off minor and even major ills as if you had super powers. Which you can get, if you address what’s going on in your mind.

And remember – this only involved thinking. Your mind is powerful enough to bring on the same emotions — and, with them, the effect on your health — as if the event is happening right now.

But, please note, this isn’t a 24/7 thing. Very few people can go through every day without getting angry about or complaining about something. Just try to tip the scales in the direction of good talk/thoughts vs. not. That’s your aim. Progress not perfection, right? I’m not immune to a good rant myself … or a few well-chosen sarcastic words. I just try to catch myself so it isn’t the bulk of what I say or think.

A negative mindset — whether real or imagined — will rob you of wellness. It even steals away the good moments and waters down the rest of what you might enjoy because the kind of dialogue I was hearing leaks itself all over everything else in your life. To catch yourself and course correct takes only moments. As it becomes more natural and routine, you won’t even require those moments. It simply will be how you lead your life. And that is a 24/7 impact on how well you are now … and later.

Mindset is one of the 9 building blocks I help clients work on so it’s heading you toward wellness, not away. Need help with that or more? Let me know.