​We all have beliefs. Whether it be about the world around us (we call these Global Beliefs) or about ourselves (called Identity Beliefs). So what is a belief? A belief is a feeling of certainty about what something means to us.  A belief is a force that controls all your decisions. It influences how you think and feel every moment of every day you’re alive.  It determines what you will do and what you won’t do. It determines how you feel about anything that occurs in your life.
 
Beliefs have the power to control what you see and feel in the world around you.
 
What you believe in is a choice.
 
So how do beliefs develop? Your beliefs are developed by events that have happened in the past. Also by seeing what happens to other people or to our parents and by social influence.
 
Your beliefs have a direct impact on the way you think and behave.
 
There are two major belief systems that create meaning for your life. 
 
1. Global Beliefs
These are assumptions or generalizations about the world around you.  Example, “All men/women are bad”, “Life is hard!”
 
2. Identity
This is what you believe about yourself and about whom you are as a person.  Example, “I’m a strong person.” “I’m not smart enough”.
 
Let’s focus on our identity for a minute. So what exactly is an identity belief? It is simply the beliefs that we use to define our own individuality. It’s what makes us unique—good, bad, or indifferent—from other individuals. It also gives us a sense of certainty about who we are, which creates the boundaries and limits within which we live our life.
 
HOW IS OUR IDENTITY FORMED?
 
 
You might ask, "Isn't my identity limited by my experience?" No, it's limited by your interpretation of your experience. Your identity is nothing but the decisions you've made about who you are and who you want to be. You become the labels you've given yourself. The way you define your identity defines your life.
 
So this all being true, the great news is that our beliefs can change.  They will grow and evolve over the course of our lifetime, dependant on which way it takes us.  Though in all of this, we still ultimately get to choose of what we believe in. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like a choice, though I’m here to implore you…make the choices of what you believe in purposeful, empowering and uplifting.  You do have a choice, it’s just making the right belief choices for you.
 
To help us expand our identity beliefs, we have designed our 10-Day Challenge to push out the boundaries of what you believe.  If you would love to hear more on how to undertake the challenge, click here to see a short video of Michelle explaining how it all works.
 
If you would like to know more, then either visit us at www.bodymindsoulclinic.com.au.
 
Or you can call us on 5519 3338 or request an appointment to start addressing your stress today. 

Q: What is over thinking?
 
A: Over thinking is when we think about something to much and for too long.
 
Q: Why do we over think?
 
A: The thing is, we all do this.  Over thinking is a way our brain likes to make sense of what’s happening in our world at that particular time.  It’s a way to problem solve or analyze a situation.  Often we end up thinking over every minute detail, which can involve worrying, personalizing or mindreading a situation in our past or our future.
 
Q: Is over thinking good for us?
 
A: If we’re ruminating on a situation to learn or to help us grow then no it’s not a problem.  The problem comes with spending long periods of time being pre-occupied with our thoughts.  Usually they’re negative and aren’t very helpful.  The more we ruminate, the more it can have negative impacts on our mental health.  Think of the brain this way, “Neurons that fire together, wire together”.  So the more we think about something, particularly negative, the more we’re creating stronger connections in the brain, thus its easier to access.
 
Q: So how do I stop over thinking?
 
A: This is a great question as it’s easier said than done, though we can rewire our brain so that we create stronger positive pathways.

1. The first step to any change is having awareness of what we’re doing.  Start noticing when the ruminating is starting to take over. 
2. Practicing Mindfulness is a great way to start managing some of the unhelpful thoughts that tend to surface.  Mindfulness can help us become much more present, thus becoming more aware of our thoughts and quiet the mind.
3. Change your focus because what you focus on you feel.  Often we’re telling ourselves that we don’t want to be experiencing or thinking these thoughts, though our brain doesn’t do negatives very well. So the more we say we don’t want to think these thoughts, the more we do.  So distract your mind with positive activities, such as adult colouring in, Mindfulness, exercise, or call a friend.
4. Challenge our thoughts.  Many of our thoughts are just assumptions…a thought with little evidence. So we need to challenge the truth of what we are thinking and learn to replace our thoughts with more positive or helpful thoughts.

 
Over thinking can happen to us all and none of us are immune to it…it’s what makes us human.  Though we can learn to manage our mind to it works for us, not against us.
 
If you would like to know more, than either visit us at www.bodymindsoulclinic.com.au.
 
Or you can call us on 5519 3338 or request an appointment with one of our Clinicians today.