Whether you like it or not, your subconscious mind is the boss of you. Even when you make a conscious decision to go after something you want, it’s your subconscious that determines whether you’ll take consistent action to get it!

Once you understand how your subconscious works, you can be in touch with yourself on a deep level. You’ll have the keys to living an abundant, fulfilling life, and all you’ll need to do is unlock that door.

What is the Subconscious Mind?

Your mind is similar to an iceberg. The conscious mind is like the part of the iceberg that you can see above the surface. But the bulk of the mind – the subconscious – is below the surface where you can’t see.

There are certain thoughts and processes that go on inside your mind that you may not be aware of on a conscious level, such as beliefs, instincts, and memories. Everything you’ve ever seen or heard is sitting somewhere in your subconscious, affecting your current thoughts, decisions, and actions.

Communicating with the subconscious mind is a popular topic in the realms of self-help and psychoanalysis. This is because getting to the core of your beliefs by tapping into the subconscious is the fastest way to implement desired changes in your life.

The Power of Beliefs

Your subconscious mind contains a vast amount of information. It’s more than your conscious mind could ever handle. Sometimes you might just have a “feeling” about something and then find out that the “feeling” was right on target. In many cases, it’s your subconscious mind that sends you such signals.

Surely you’ve heard, “If you believe it, you can do it.” This truism is a fact because of the great power of your subconscious. A belief can light a fire under you and enable you to do things that you never consciously thought were possible.

This is why just believing in the power of the subconscious mind can allow you to better communicate with it.

The alternative is to continue following base instincts. Following your instincts can be a good thing, but what if one of your instincts is a fear of public places? It would be in your best interest to learn how to communicate with yourself.

Beyond Belief

Believing in the power of your subconscious is the first step to living the life you desire. When you do, you can move on with your self-help ventures and personal development plans. Surely you have talents you’d like to further develop, positive qualities you’d like to strengthen, and challenges you’d like to overcome. You can do all these things by tapping into your subconscious.

You can even use your communications with the subconscious mind to correct larger issues, like fears, or eliminate negative habits, like smoking or emotional eating. When you get to the core of an issue in your subconscious, you can change it. The possibilities are endless!

How Do You Communicate With Your Subconscious Mind?

There are several techniques you can use to effectively communicate with your subconscious mind and enable the changes you desire.

One popular method is the use of hypnosis. You can either employ the services of a counselor trained in hypnosis or use self-hypnosis techniques. You can even find CDs and videos that will guide you completely through a hypnosis session.

Under hypnosis, rather than being asleep, you’re in a state of heightened awareness. Many of the inhibitions of your conscious mind will subside while the subconscious comes to the forefront. When you’re in this state, you’re open to suggestions. If you give yourself positive suggestions, you’ll make positive progress.

You can also communicate with the subconscious by consistently reading, listening to recordings of positive mantras, and repeating affirmations. Not only can you use these positive statements to affirm and bring out the best in you, but you can also replace negative thinking and doubt with positive images and beliefs. Check your local bookstore and online for a plethora of affirmation resources.

Just remain aware of your innermost thoughts and you’ll be better able to keep in touch with your subconscious. Always be truthful with yourself, follow your heart, and most important of all, have a firm belief in yourself!

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.relaxyourstress.com

E: Cheryl@relaxyourstress.com

Do you feel restless, worrying about the troubles you currently face? Do you long for peace in your mind and confidence about the direction you’re headed? Instead of avoiding your thoughts and challenges, focus on acceptance and solutions. You don’t have to deal with a troubled mind forever. You have the power within yourself to mend your situation.

Try the following techniques to ease your troubled mind:

1. Accept your situation. Resolve today to accept the things about your situation that you cannot change. If you fight the fact that you have difficulties, you’ll turn your challenges into bigger ones. Accepting your situation can bring you a certain peace within yourself that makes dealing with the challenges you face easier.

2. Focus on solutions. Instead of dwelling on the obstacles in front of you, think of as many solutions as possible. Pick the choice that seems best to you and begin implementing it today.

• In every moment, ask yourself whether or not there’s something you can be doing to work toward a solution. Ask yourself, “What could I do right now that would make this situation better?” Take action, and you’ll almost always experience an immediate sense of relief.

3. Focus on letting go of the past. Regret and sorrow about the past are huge contributors to a troubled mind. You might find it easy to forget the small things, but larger issues from the past continue to creep into your mind. Your past is behind you, and a peaceful future is ahead if you choose to embrace it.

4. Ask for help. Rather than facing the difficulties of life alone, open yourself up to friends or trusted family members. You can even seek professional help if necessary. The expertise and support of others may be just what you need to experience a breakthrough.

5. Do something fun. Sometimes all it takes is something lighthearted to get your mind into a better place. Instead of wallowing in a bad mood, choose something that you like to do and give yourself a break. Temporarily leave your cares behind and immerse yourself in an activity you enjoy.

6. Make new friends. Making new friends is a great way to get your mind off of your troubles. Friends will be there to support you when you’re down and open you up to new options that you probably wouldn’t have considered otherwise. When you focus on others, it distracts you and increases your self-esteem at the same time.

7. Focus on relaxation. If your thoughts cause you to feel anxious and tense, set aside time for deep breathing and relaxation. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and pay attention to your breath. Breathe deeply and slowly. It only takes a few minutes to replace feelings of anxiety with feelings of peace and relaxation.

If your mind is troubled, listen to your feelings. Let them cause you to seek relief. Ignoring these anxious thoughts may make you feel worse. Instead, choose one or more of these ideas and put it into practice today. If you do, you’ll begin to experience the inner peace you crave!

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: holisticspeaker@gmail.com

Do you struggle with being able to follow your heart and instincts? The truth is, in many circumstances, your instincts are usually right, but if you tend to over think things too much, you might stray from those initial inner thoughts.

Following Your Heart

Sometimes following your heart instead of your mind can seem like the “weak” thing to do. This is not the case; following your heart is following the core of your beliefs and is usually the best thing you can do.

When you follow your heart, you’re usually happy. Happy people enjoy their lives and are usually healthier in the long run. If you want to be happy, you must learn how to follow your heart.

You can begin following your heart by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Trust your subconscious thoughts. It can be tough to stay in touch with your subconscious thoughts, but they make up your initial instincts and they’re close to your heart. You know that the truth will be revealed to you if you give yourself enough time. Learn to trust yourself.

2. Go with what feels right. Don’t be afraid to take action towards the things that feel right. If something feels off to you, you can stop and explore the reasons why. It always starts with a feeling. Go in the direction of your positive feelings.

3. Avoid over thinking. Sometimes your mind can get away from you and start cycling through negative thoughts. Take deep breaths and get back into a positive mindset so that you can see your true path more clearly.

Trusting Your Instincts

There are several good techniques that can help you better grasp the process of trusting your instincts. Some of these common solutions might work for you.

These strategies can help you trust your instincts:

1. Stick with your gut feeling. Following your heart and instincts are very similar things. It’s important to go with your initial thoughts. This is because it’s likely a thought that’s coming from within and not something you’ve had time to think endlessly about. You’d be amazed with how many times you just end up going with your initial feeling anyway.

2. Write down your thoughts. It might help to engage in a free writing session. Pick up a pen and just write your thoughts down as they come. Try not to put the pen down. It doesn’t matter if you start writing some things that don’t pertain to the subject. After reading your notes, you’ll probably get a better idea about your base instincts.

3. Keep yourself in a relaxed state. It’s always best to do your thinking while you’re relaxed. That way you know you’re not making any strained decisions. Do what you can to relax yourself, whether it’s deep breathing, a warm bath, or meditation techniques.

4. Avoid changing your mind unless there’s a valid reason. Occasionally, you’ll know that your initial instinct was wrong. In this case, if you have a valid reason to change your mind, you should do so. However, if you don’t have a good reason, just follow through with your initial thoughts.

You’ll find that most of the time your instincts and heart are correct in the end. Even when they’re not, banish discouragement and keep practicing. Maintain a positive attitude and keep trying and soon your heart and instincts will be your guiding lights.

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: holisticspeaker@gmail.com

Are you facing a difficult challenge? It’s comforting to know that you can get through tough times while maintaining a positive outlook throughout. When you get in better touch with yourself and understand the ups and downs of life, it makes it easier for you to persevere.

 When you believe in yourself, you can go farther than you’ve ever imagined. So your first step is to believe that you’re capable of having a positive outlook. Your firm belief in yourself will help banish negative thoughts that try to plague your thinking during trying times.

 The Ups and Downs of Life

 You already know that life is made up of many ups and downs. When things are going great, you almost hope that it lasts forever. When things aren’t going so well, it’s sometimes hard to even imagine life getting better again.

 If you’re going through a particularly trying time, it’s important to take time to grieve. No one expects you to bounce back immediately, and perhaps you’ll be a changed person. However, you can, and will, have good times again!

 When the time is right, start working towards a better future and you’ll be able to experience more “ups” in life. If you’re open to this, you’ll be well on your way to a positive outlook.

 Believing in Yourself

 Believing in yourself is vital to a happy life. Some may say it’s trite to use phrases like: “If you can dream it, you can do it,” but as it turns out, the sentiment is true. Don’t put limits on yourself. If something is possible, then you can achieve it with a strong driving force!

 During trying times, you might not believe that you’re capable of moving beyond the situation. This is the time when you need to muster up your strength and take a good look at yourself. Discover your inner strength and rely on it.

 Using Affirmations

 Affirmations are a great way to stay positive if you open yourself up to them. You can use these short, positive statements to communicate with your unconscious mind.

 Write your own affirmations or find a book or website with affirmations that are appropriate for your situation. It’s a great way to remind yourself of your strength and good qualities. Practice every day to get the best results.

 Recognizing Your True Self

 Both positive and negative events bring you opportunities to get in touch with your true self. Trying times are challenges, and if you’re poised with a positive attitude, you can discover more about yourself and your capabilities.

 Difficult times can give you the ability to get in touch with your values. Seek the deeper meaning of it all, and always search for the silver lining. Even the toughest and most depressing situations can be opportunities for learning, as long as you open yourself to see the lesson.

 Learning for the Future

 Once you’ve learned a life lesson by going through a particularly difficult situation, you can use that knowledge to help you cope with future obstacles. But instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on enjoying your life in the moment in order to maintain the positive outlook and happiness you deserve.

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: cheryl@cherylyprice.com

Here is an article that may be of interest. Click the link below. Enjoy!

www.ahha.org/articles.asp?Id=18

Please leave your comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: cheryl@cherylyprice.com

Being a parent is by far the most rewarding role I have yet to experience in life. As joyous as parenting may be, it also presents challenges to a single parent.

I am the sole breadwinner for our family. I am both mommy and daddy. I am there at every game and parent teacher conference, yet manage to earn a fulltime living and keep a tidy home.

At times, I feel worn out. I feel stretched thinner than a rubber band. I feel as if the day needs 40 hours instead of 24. But raising my babies is definitely worth the struggle. Seeing their faces after a long day validates that my hard efforts are indeed worthwhile.

Sure, my life would certainly be easier if I had a partner to share the bills with. However, I would much rather raise my children alone than do it in bad company!

I refuse to feel sorry for myself, because I have a fine life. I am blessed with healthy, lively children. Every night, I put food on the table for our family and we have a sturdy roof over our heads.

I have stopped comparing my life to others, because there is simply no comparison.

I am no longer jealous because my friend has granite countertops, heated floors, or a larger backyard. I am glad that she can afford such luxury. However, my family is very content with our humble abode.

Today, I recognize that I am doing the best I can. My best is good enough and fulfills my needs and those of my family perfectly well.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I carve out enough time for myself?
2. If I am struggling financially, can I seek a higher paying job?
3. Do I spend enough quality time with my children in my free time?

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: cheryl@cherylyprice.com

My accomplishments include great triumphs in school, my career, and family matters.

Weight loss may be a challenge, but I know that my weight loss goal can be achieved just as I tackle other challenges in my life and win!

For a driven person like me, losing weight is more like a game rather than a burden. Each pound I lose is a sign of my strength and determination.

By placing such a positive spin on my efforts to lose weight, I increase both my confidence and my will to succeed.

My weight loss goals are perfectly achievable. I set a reasonable timeline to lose weight and milestones to let me know how far I have come. Each time I reach a milestone, I treat myself to a movie or a gift unrelated to food.

Rewarding my achievements, no matter how small, gives me the motivation to keep on going.

I can have my cake and eat it too. But, I always make sure that it is angel food cake with a natural fruit topping! Choices like this let me enjoy the sweets I crave in healthier, smaller-calorie ways. The more I learn about food, the more pleasing choices I can find.

Like a game, I can find ways to prevent me from sabotaging myself, and win! Just as I can find tasty foods that are healthy, I also find fun ways to exercise.

With my positive mindset, the pounds just seem to be melting off! I am eating healthily, exercising regularly, and controlling my cravings.

Today, I keep my eye on the prize: fitting into my skinny jeans! I am actively working towards regaining the beach body that I once displayed proudly.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I losing weight to please myself or someone else?
2. Am I truly overweight or am I simply striving for perfection?
3. How can I curb cravings to stay strong in times of weakness?

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: cheryl@cherylyprice.com

My family is by my side through thick and thin. We rise above all challenges because we stick together in both good times and bad.

I am a busy person. Not only do I work a fulltime job, but I also have other responsibilities. However, no responsibility is great enough to stop me from spending time with my family.

My children deserve to spend time with both of their parents. For this reason, we schedule family game or movie nights twice each week. We also eat dinner together every night.

Yes, sometimes the family huddles up around the TV for dinner. But, who cares if we are not sitting formally at a dinner table? As long as we’re together, everything is perfect!

My parents mean the world to me. They raised, loved, and nurtured me into adulthood. Even if my schedule is hectic, I make it a point to call my parents often and setup a family brunch once each month.

I devote time to family, not because I feel obligated, but because I want to. I enjoy interacting with my children and watching them grow each day.

I make time for my spouse because we work very hard to maintain our quality of life and deserve some alone time every now and then. At heart, we are still just two college kids in love and ready for anything! My marriage is one of my main priorities.

Today, I set aside all distractions and spend time with my family. Without the company of my family, all of the material things in this world would mean nothing. I cherish our bond and nurture it more and more each day.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I place my career before my family?
2. How can my family spend quality time together without sitting in front of a television?
3. Do I pay enough attention to my spouse?

Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E: cheryl@cherylyprice.com

You may have already heard about the many benefits of present moment thinking. When you live in the present, the many stressors of the mind do not bother you.

However, if you’ve ever tried to stay in the present for a long period of time, you’ll notice that your brain automatically travels to your past and future. This is to be expected as you transition to focusing on the present moment.

It Takes Practice!

Even some of the most skilled present moment thinkers encounter times when they have difficulty concentrating. With practice, it becomes easier, but there will always be times here and there when you get distracted.

When you first begin to think in the present moment, you may be tempted to feel impatient and frustrated. Frustration will only make things worse and is the opposite of what you’ve set out to accomplish. Instead, look at it as a good thing. If you’re frustrated, then you’re noticing when your mind starts to wander and you can return it back to the present.

Starting With Meditation

Meditation is based on the notion of being in the present moment. Therefore, it’s an excellent practice to pick up in your life. Try to make time to do it every day. Try to meditate around the same time each day, too, for the best results.

You can look up traditional methods of meditation, or you can simply discover your own practice. It’s best to get yourself into a comfortable seated position and then begin following your breath. Take slow, deep breaths, one at a time, because you’re in no rush.

Meditating allows you to practice staying in the present moment during a time that you’re alone and avoiding distractions. You’ll be able to notice the times when your mind is really active versus the times when you’re calmer. Once you’ve mastered this awareness, you can begin to apply your skills to other portions of your day to expand the amount of time that you spend in the present moment.

Making Time for Yourself

It sounds simple enough, but one of the most difficult obstacles to present moment thinking seems to be just making time for you.

You might tell yourself that it’s time to meditate, but your mind nags you to accomplish one more chore before bedtime. Before you know it, you feel as if you don’t have any additional time for yourself. This is when you need to put your foot down and make it a priority.

Practicing During Everyday Life

The next step is to practice while you’re going through the motions of everyday life. Of course, you’ll want to reference your past and future during certain times. It’s to be expected; however, make an effort to avoid letting your mind dwell outside the present. Make your decisions using the past and future as necessary, and then move on with your life in the present.

After you’ve mastered some meditation techniques, try meditating during those times of the day when you’re doing something on autopilot. Instead of allowing your mind to wander, stay present as you engage in activities like brushing your teeth or waiting for the coffee to be ready.

As you continue to practice, you’ll notice a vast amount of opportunities where you can stay in the present moment. Seize these opportunities whenever you can and enjoy the many benefits!

Please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E:  holisticspeaker@gmail.com

Every day has its ups and downs, but sometimes you might find more downs than ups! Rather than waiting around for things to change, you can make an active effort to add a little happiness to your day.

Sometimes you may need to make a big effort, but most of the time all you have to do is something subtle and simple to completely change how your day turns out.

Here are some easy ways to add happiness to your day:

1. Watch a movie. Curl up with a big bucket of popcorn and your favorite movie. Leave all your worries behind you as you engage in an activity that you’re sure to love.

2. Watch your kids or loved ones. Instead of focusing on yourself, take some time to place your attention on the people you love. Simply observe them and think about how much you appreciate the fact that they’re in your life.

3. Call your best friend. A phone call with a close friend is a great way to pass some time in a way that is comfortable and familiar to you. You can think about old times or enjoy planning something fun for the future.

4. Go out for ice cream. While it’s not a good idea to indulge all the time, it’s definitely okay once in a while. Grab your favorite treat whether it’s ice cream, a smoothie, or even Starbucks.

5. Enjoy nature. Take in nature by watching the world around you. You can do this by going on a nature hike or even just observing the beauty of the stars at night.

6. Take a hot bath. This is a great way to bring happiness to your day, especially if you’ve found the day stressful. Light some scented candles to include the benefits of aromatherapy to the relaxing warmth of the bath.

7. Play a sport. Gather your friends and have a friendly competition. Sports are a fun way to get some exercise and relieve stress.

8. Take a nap. An afternoon nap may be just what you’re looking for. Even 15 minutes of shut-eye can help you feel more energized and happy.

9. Snuggle with your partner. Take the time to appreciate your partner and snuggle up for some couple-time. It’s a great way to reconnect, especially if you’ve been really busy.

10. Be lazy. Sometimes you might not feel as happy as you’d like because you expect too much from yourself. Take some time to simply be lazy, with no responsibilities, and give yourself time to recoup.

11. Listen to your favorite song. Your favorite song is bound to brighten up your day. Bring out your iPod or music player and start cranking up the tunes.

12. Make casual conversation. Strike up some lively conversations with strangers. If you’re friendly and happy towards them, they’ll likely be the same to you.

13. Be thankful. Reflect on all the things that you’re grateful for in your life and write them down. You might be surprised at how long your list is! Sometimes changing your focus to what’s going right in your life is all you need to turn that frown upside down.

14. Enjoy time with your pets. Pets are part of the family too. Snuggle up with your pet for some quality time together.

Always remember that the list is endless when it comes to ways to brighten your day. Be creative and try new activities that you might like. Most importantly, seek a way to enjoy each moment, and your life will be filled with new happiness.

Please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I look forward to healing with you,

Cheryl Y. Price, Ph.D.

W: www.anewwaytoheal.com

E:  holisticspeaker@gmail.com