Dr. Lyle Miller on the Effectiveness of Keeping a Thought Record 

In this series Dr. Miller has described several ways to regulate the direction of our thoughts. Some thoughts, however, are persistent, habitual, and return over and over to upset us. These types of thoughts often include things such as are vague fears, images of catastrophe, the critical voice of a parent or teacher, or bad memories. Read on to discover Dr. Miller's effective strategies for keeping a thought record and avoiding debilitating mental stress.

We do it all the time, whether we realize it or not. We compare ourselves to others, whether we are considering careers, finances, families or health. This natural tendency has the potential to be either productive or unhealthy, depending on the approach. Dr. Judith Orloff tells us that the key is to appreciate the grace of both the hurdles and the joys we encounter. In this piece, she gives us tools to stop comparing ourselves to others and instead, be inspired by people we admire. 

Last week we talked about how to avoid the rush and live more in the present moment. This week, we will expound further on that topic, giving you tips and tools for practicing mindfulness daily. You will learn to approach life in a much more relaxed state of awareness, observing both the outer world (which is out of your control), and the inner world of your thoughts and feelings.  Practicing mindfulness skills has been proven to be highly effective in reducing stress, with the added bonus of improving your ability to be creative.