How to Keep from Catching the “Mind Flu”

When I was 12 years old I read “War of the Worlds” by HG Wells. The book was really scary and the image of giant alien tripods  stayed with me for a long time. When I saw the most recent movie version though, something else stuck with me that I didn’t remember from the book.  (Beware: Movie Spoiler!) The aliens die in the end because they had no immunity to the diversity of bacteria and viruses to which we developed immunity millions of years ago. I thought that was cool; the aliens were killed off by the common cold. They probably weren’t getting enough sleep, being busy destroying the world and all…

Since I’ve had kids I’ve been catching two or three colds a year. Sheesh! I’m too busy to be sick!  Lately, though, since this whole H1N1 thing, I’ve been reading a lot on how to avoid getting sick. (Check out Dr. Mercola.com.)

I’ve come to believe that the key to staying healthy is to have a strong immune system so that you can fight the  cold and flu bugs that are always around us and that will inevitably breach your castle wall. For example, many health and wellness practitioners recommend keeping your immune system strong by getting enough sleep, avoiding sugar, taking the right supplements, and managing stress. They suggest that getting chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture or massage can be helpful as well.

Consider that your mind works the same way. Let me ask you, have you ever had the experience of catching the what I call the mind flu? Perhaps one day you became aware that you’d become so negative, discouraged, and defeated that even your dog didn’t want to hang out with you for fear of catching it.  You caught the negativity bug! Like Zig Ziglar says, you were infected with stinking thinking and needed a check up from the neck up!

What you’ve got to do is to immunize your mind to the virus of negativity that is always out there: in the news, on the internet, in social conversation, in your own language, in your mind.

So how do you keep your mental immune system strong enough to ward off the mind flu that always threatens us?  By taking your mind vitamins! Supplement your mind daily with positive material that keeps your mental immunity strong. Always be listening to motivational or inspirational material. Exercise and expand your mind by reading literature that challenges you and inspires you. How about a “mental adjustment” or “mind massage” by coming in for a hypnotherapy session?  It’s perfect for  a quick reduction in stress.

In last week’s post I suggested some links to audio files that have been helpful in keeping me inspired to be positive and focused on my goals. This week, I’d like to suggest some reading material that has really impacted my life  that can keep your mind so healthy that no negativity bug can infect it.

“Real Magic” by Wayne W. Dyer. I’ve been a fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer since I discovered a copy of “Your Erroneous Zones” on my parent’s bookshelf. (I picked it up because I thought it said “Your Erogenous Zones”. Hey, I was in high school.) Not everyone relates to Dyer’s somewhat New Agey philosophy, but after reading this book, I had people asking me “You seem really happy, what’ve you been up to?”

“Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz. For me, at the time I read this years ago, the idea of controlling your thinking  and positive mind programming  was an astounding discovery that I  didn’t completely get at the time.  I recently recommended this to a client who said it was the best book he’s ever read. In my opinion, it’s a masterpiece.

“Illusions” by Richard Bach. By the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a short but fascinating parable of a reluctant messiah in modern times. Easy to read but capable of creating a real shift in your perception.

“Unlimited Power” and “Awaken the Giant Within”. Anthony Robbins. Regardless of what you think about Tony Robbins, he’s come a long way from where grew up in Azusa, California. Here’s a guy that I’m told used to be called “Baby Huey” because of his weight and height as a kid. Now, with no credentials to speak of, he has become a multi-millionaire and arguably the reigning Self Help Guru of our times. In these two books he offers some practical techniques that are simple but effective.

“The World’s Greatest Salesman”. Og Mandino. This book was given to me when I was in sales training for door to door book sales. A must for any sales person.

“Think and Grow Rich”, Napoleon Hill. The grandaddy of success literature. Published  first in 1937, some claims suggest that it has sold 30 million copies since then. This book contains what many people consider the fundamentals of success. I really like the version I have, which uses updated language and cites modern success stories such as Bill Gates, Ray Kroc and Steven Spielberg.

“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. I know, I know, I’m always taking about this book. Sorry, but it’s my blog! I’ve read it 4 times and will probably read it again.

Spiritual and Esoteric Literature. The mind and the spirit are linked. Don’t discount the ancient texts for keeping a happy and positive mind. The Bible and the Tao Te Ching are just two examples of essential guides that throughout history have given millions around the globe direction  for living. Some I have read but not all.  

As  prevention or  cure for  the mind flu, these books have worked for me and still do. I acknowledge that these are all older books; I realize there are more recent yet excellent books that I haven’t yet read. I invite you to post your comments on books that you’ve found to be life changing as far as your own personal development. I’d love to hear what has worked for you.