In this uncertain time and with the party season well and truly put to bed for another year, what can you do to ensure 2009 is a year of prosperity and happiness?

In challenging times one thing is certain, the strong will survive. So how do you define personal strength? What is the magic formula? One word is the secret ingredient for attaining and retaining personal strength,

œPOSITIVITY 

Research has shown that one of the core traits of every successful person is their positive mindset. Having a positive mindset is about seeing the world through what some people may call 'rose-tinted spectacles', having a glass that is always 'half-full' and not 'half empty' and seeing the opportunities in even the most challenging of situations.

Deciding to be successful in 2009, and making it your mission to live a positive life, is a choice and this is what we are going to call your 'choice point'. Right here, right now.

Let me ask you these questions.

œDo you want to be the employee that your business can't do without? 

œDo you want to be the friend or partner that spreads only happiness and love? 

If your answer to either one or both of these questions is yes then read on...

So what are the benefits of living life with a positive mindset? Here are a few benefits to get your positive juices flowing.

Positive people ¦..

• Can live up to 7 years longer
• Have a higher chance of beating life threatening illnesses
• Take less sick days
• Are more attractive to others
• Have healthier sex lives
• Sleep better
• Have healthier eating habits
• Have better promotional prospects
• Have more energy
• Attract better friends and partners
• Develop happier children

So, to take advantage of any or all of these benefits here are some tips and tricks to help you attain and retain a positive mindset.

1. Eat Well

There is a direct link between the foods that you eat and the way that you think and feel. Certain foods stimulate certain hormones and chemicals in your body and will therefore influence your mood. Here are a few healthy foods that have been proven to help you maintain positivity.

• Broad beans, white beans or butter beans are known for lifting the spirit and are in fact well known as an aphrodisiac.
• Chillies. Eating spicy foods containing fresh chillies can release mood enhancing endorphins in the brain.
• Tomatoes. Eating a tomato a day can improve mental, as well as physical, performance.
• Mangoes, also know as the food of the gods. Known for mood enhancing qualities because they contain natural ingredients bearing a strong resemblance to drugs used to treat depression.
• Sunflower seeds. These yummy seeds contain ingredients that can help to enhance your ability to deal with stress.
• Bananas are known to lift the spirits and to heighten energy levels.

2. Sleep

A good nights sleep lowers blood pressure and the elevated levels of stress hormones which, are a natural result of today's fast paced lifestyle. Too much stress causes excess 'wear and tear' on your body, and increases the ageing process. By reducing high levels of stress, sleep helps to reverse these effects and encourages a state of relaxation. I am not going to quote the amount of hours sleep you need each night for the simple reason that you are all different. While some people need 4 hours sleep to function well, others may need 9. It is more about the quality of your rest and the consistency.

If you are anything like me and can sometimes find drifting off to sleep a challenge, here are some sleep improvement ideas.

• Routine: Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day even at weekends. This helps your biological clock get into a repetitive rhythm.
• Caffeine: Avoid caffeine after 3pm.
• A sleep haven: Make your bedroom the most relaxing room in your home. Avoid watching television or working from your computer or laptop in your bedroom. If your brain associates your bedroom with anything other than sleep it will be more difficult for you to access the state of relaxation you need.
• A Warm Soak: Have a hot bath to relax before bedtime. Soak away any stresses or blues before slipping into bed.
• Comfort: Sleep in a bed that is comfortable with well fitting, crease free sheets and cool, comfy textures.
• Yoga and meditation: Try yoga or meditation to aid relaxation before bedtime.

3. Exercise

Did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger exercises 6 days a week for 90 minutes at a time? He also runs the worlds 5^th largest economy, so the old excuse of œI do not have enough time to exercise  is one that I constantly challenge. Exercise is a must have for living a positive life. œIf your body don't move, your brain don't groove . Just half an hour 5 times a week is enough to stimulate the chemicals that have positive effects on your mood and mindset.

If you don't like getting hot and sweaty at the gym, why not try power walking on the beach for half an hour a day. Take advantage of the beautiful beaches we have on our doorsteps in Bournemouth and Poole. What better way to attain a positive outlook than watching and hearing the waves crashing against the golden sands, whilst taking your daily exercise.

4. Focus on things you can influence

Another key attribute of successful people is that they put their energy into areas of their life that they can influence, rather than waste energy on things outside of their control. Top performing business men and women do not spend time moaning about the targets and goals set by their senior executives, instead they put their time and energy into establishing what they need to do to ensure they meet and exceed their targets.

A successful person who finds themselves unlucky enough to be made redundant, will not spend hours and days asking the question œWhy me?  Instead they will ask themselves these questions.

œWhat do I want to do now? 

œWhat do I need to do to make that happen? 

œWhat are the first steps I can take to make this vision a reality? 

By focusing your time and energy on things you can influence will increase your ability to positively influence others. Everyone wants to feel positive most of the time, so most people will chose to surround themselves with people who focus on things they can control rather than things they cannot.

5. Spread the love

Telling other what you feel is great about them, makes them feel good. Knowing you've had such a positive impact on others is such a wonderful feeling. Providing positive praise and recognition to others will dramatically enhance your own feel good factor. Behaviour breeds behaviour, so offering a compliment a day to someone who could use a motivational boost, will help them to feel good about themselves. Helping others to feel good about themselves will enable you to be seen as a catalyst for a positive connection. What better way can there be to give you that positive vibe!

6. Do something you love

Make a commitment to do something you love doing, at least once a day. Life moves at such a hectic rate that we tend to forget who we are and what is important to us. Take time each day to give yourself at least half an hour to do something you really enjoy. This should not be something you should do or have to do, like the laundry, but rather something that you thoroughly enjoy and is just for you. Whether it is reading a good book, taking a long candlelit bubble bath, watching a good film, walking on the beach or watching the latest episode of Big Brother, make the commitment to do it once a day, every day. Promise yourself this treat at the start of your day, giving you something to look forward to and therefore, increasing your positive outlook for the day.

So if you want to beat the New Year Blues and stay ahead in this increasingly competitive world of ours, why not make these 6 top tips part of your daily routine. Living a life that involves healthy eating, quality rest, exercise and making positive connections with both yourself and others, will ensure you are one of the strong ones that reap the rewards of success, even in these uncertain times.

To find out more about living an enjoyable, positive and healthy life contact Zoe Cooper by telephone on 01202 252287 or 07793 084628 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Zoe is offering a 40% discount on lifestyle coaching sessions booked in January and February 09 for all visitors to Ultimately Bournemouth. Call or email now to arrange a free consultation.