ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
EMBRACE YOUR CAPACITY FOR GROWTH
In a fast-changing world, it’s easy to get bogged down in self- doubt and negativity. Mindset coaching, a new route to self- improvement, applies psychological tools to instill a more upbeat, hopeful attitude toward life.
It’s important to understand that mindset coaches are not therapists, nor are they licensed or regulated. Interested individuals should seek a qualified coach trained and certified by a reputable coaching organization. The training equips mindset coaches with tools to help clients cultivate resilience and positivity, including mindfulness, journaling, visualizing achievements, and cognitive restructuring or replacing negative thought patterns with more realistic, balanced views. Mindset coaches also help clients uproot limiting beliefs about themselves and reduce their fear of being evaluated negatively by others. For example, mindset coaching might help a software engineer struggling with self-doubt and fear of failure to reframe their thinking and view criticism as constructive feedback to help improve their skills. Also, a manager striving for a promotion might learn to value their skills and cultivate a belief in their ability to expand and acquire new competencies. Ultimately, clients are taught to reframe life as a journey of self-discovery and learning — a mindset so empowering that it can change lives!
Mindset coaching helps people break away from habitual negative thinking and behaviors that prevent them from seeing and reaching their potential. It is a relatively new field that evolved from two influential bodies of research — cognitive psychology, which helps
individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns, and
the work of psychologist Carol Dweck on “growth mindset,” a perspective that teaches people
they can change and develop through effort and learning.
Whether you work during the day or are blissfully retired, you’re likely familiar with feeling sleepy shortly after lunchtime. Although our daily commitments often prevent us from sneaking away for some shut-eye that early in the day, some of the world’s foremost sleep experts and researchers have concluded that giving in to our body’s desire to nap is natural and incredibly beneficial to our overall health. Here are a few surprising findings that suggest that sleep shouldn’t always be postponed until the evening. THE SECRET STRENGTHS OF MIDDAY SLUMBER Perfectly Timed Pauses If you’re fortunate enough to enjoy a good afternoon nap, the amount of time you shut off the world matters. According to a study of nearly 3,000 seniors published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, participants who napped for 30–90 minutes displayed better word recall and other indicators of good cognition. However, the opposite was true of people who napped over 90 minutes. In addition to decreasing cognitive abilities, this extended period of midday sleep was believed to indicate possible poor nighttime sleep habits. As for when to take your nap, research from the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center suggested that 1–4 p.m. is the sweet spot for daytime dozing.
Uncommon Self-Care Tips While brief afternoon sleep can help you feel more alert as the day continues, it may also lead to sleep inertia — that sense of grogginess you may feel after resting for even a short period. To help alleviate the condition, the National Sleep Foundation recommends drinking a small amount of caffeine before hitting your bed or sofa. Although this advice may seem counterintuitive, it takes several minutes for caffeine to affect your body’s chemistry, so it’s more likely to give you energy when you awaken than prevent you from napping. Additionally, the foundation recommends getting outside for a few minutes of sunshine if your schedule prevents you from catching a short snooze.
MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
2
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator