Why Can’t I Just Think Myself Better?

Why Can’t I Just Think Myself Better?

by Dr. Anna Cabeca

Do you ever ask yourself that? Maybe you’ve been feeling blue, depressed, or anxious. Possibly, you have lost the enjoyment in your favorite activities and feel a general loss of interest in participating in life.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “How did I get this way?” I know I did. I am going to pose a beautiful and fascinating concept. Whenever there are hormonal changes in the body, the neurotransmitters change and react. Let me explain. There is an amazing symphony of hormones and neurotransmitters. It is really an ancient medical truth, and in fact, this system of interplay is called the neuroendocrine system. Neuro for brain, endocrine for hormones. Whenever there are periods of great hormonal changes, we will experience changes in our mood, thought processes, drive, and energy.

For example, remember back to when you began your periods? Or how about monthly PMS, and then pregnancy and postpartum? Then the real kicker, stopping your menses, such as in menopause. This event becomes oh so much worse if your ovaries were removed at the time of a hysterectomy.

Some of the comments I hear from women are, “I am going crazy. I have lost my mind. I can’t think straight. My memory is a thing of the past. I am two different women. I am teary and emotional. I lost my sex drive and don’t even care.”

In spite of how it feels, there is hope for a better tomorrow. I know. I have been there. But how do we accomplish this? The answer is by balancing hormones, filling our tank, and decreasing inflammation.

I want you to focus today on filling your tank and staying fueled. So what do you need to do in order to accomplish this? I’m glad you asked! My top recommendations are below:

1. Eat well. Food that looks like food. Basically, if you can pick it, peel it, fish it, hunt it, milk it, and grow it, then for the most part, you can eat it. Choose foods that are high in the nutrients that fuel your neuroendocrine system, such as tryptophan with turkey, tyrosine with eggs, zinc with oysters, selenium with brazil nuts, iodine with sushi, and lots of colorful vegetables and fruits. Yes, I have listed my favorite choices, but you can choose your own.
2. Movement, however you enjoy it. Dance, play, jiggle and shake! Just get moving. How about making love? Great activity…highly recommended.
3. Sleep. Try the tryptophan containing foods at bedtime. For example, a warm slice of turkey. Supplements that really help are melatonin, inositol, 5HTP, and herbals like magnolia. Also, using progesterone cream or oral progesterone at bedtime is wonderful to help you relax, calm down, and get a deep night’s rest.
4. Meditation. Stress is a significant robber of hormones and good mood, so incorporating a meditative practice is wonderful. As a couple, try orgasmic meditation. And remember, when you are constantly worrying about something, you are rapidly using up your naturally created valuable resources and emptying your tank.
5. Compartmentalize. A practice I learned some time ago was to compartmentalize. When those troubling thoughts creep in, direct them to a designated time to give consideration to them, and then to honor those thoughts. For example, when I have a problem that I am worried about, as thoughts come up distracting me during my day, I simply say, “Not now. Move to 8:15 or 8:30 p.m. I will get to you later.”

This allows me to focus and have better productivity throughout the day. Believe me, this helps so much. Many of us may have experienced trauma, or even currently be in a repeating behavior pattern and just need help to break that cycle. I have included an article on EMDR, a process I went through myself. It deals with eye movement desensitization processes. I have recommended this to many others, and it has been hugely beneficial in breaking the pattern of learned responses that your beautiful and intelligent body can get stuck in.

Of course, think positive. Think positive thoughts. Yes, our neuroendocrine system is an energetic system, and positive thoughts strengthen you with positive energy. Think encouraging, hopeful, confident thoughts about yourself and your life, and think positively about others as well.

As always, wishing you a VidaPura.