Mormon Bloggers

I’ve just finished reading a self-help book about stress management titled Be Still: Stress and Anxiety Management for Latter-day Saints, and have to admit that “finished” is the wrong word. Yes, I read it all the way through. No, it’s not finished, because I’ll be dipping back in many times for as long as there is stress in my life (is there ever not?). Lois D. Brown published this book with psychologist Dr. Victoria Anderson. I love the easy style and countless true stories that illustrate each concept, making ideas so much easier to understand than straight technical jargon. Even more important – the anecdotes help me remember important facts. I’m already putting a couple of wise thoughts from Be Still into practice in my life and am enjoying that lively, out-of-the-box feeling that comes with success in small but significant areas. One example teaches how to reprogram our brain nerve synapses (where one nerve joins... Read the rest of this entry »

“Thought blocking” or “thought stopping” is a cognitive behavioral strategy that can help kids let go of thoughts that cause them to feel anxious. The idea is to stop negative thoughts in their tracks in the brain and replace them with more peaceful, self-affirming beliefs. Self -defeating thoughts can include unrealistic fears that are age dependent that range from the boogie man under the bed to not wanting to go to school and be separated from parents to fear of failure on tests. They are thoughts that often occupy a child’s mind and create difficulties in concentration, focus and their ability to carry out activities of daily living in a reasonable way. Often, these thoughts will manifest themselves in physical symptoms: tummy aches, rapid pulse and heart beat, headache and restless fidgety behavior. Parents can assist their children to eliminate anxious thoughts by helping them to practice at home what they will say when they are faced with experiences... Read the rest of this entry »

I anticipate. I think ahead. I plan ahead. I look forward to the future. I also anticipate the bad. I act in advance to prevent disaster. I worry. I fear. The first is healthy. The second is not. To encourage the first type of thinking and reduce the second, I’ve been practicing mindfulness—thinking and living in the present, [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent. Thinking Now, Not Thinking Ahead  Read More →