The positive Olympic effect, can it continue?

Wow, what a wonderful Olympic games we had and the ‘feel good’ factor amongst the nation was enjoyed by most.

So what actually was that ‘feel good’ factor? Can it be replicated?

A major difference to our lives was turning on our television sets and being exposed to human challenge, dedication and a positive ‘mind set’. There was healthy competition between the athletes (most of the time!). There were different nationalities coming together in good natured spirit. When we watch/are exposed to something positive our mind and body produces ‘happy’ chemicals which makes us feel good. Think of how different this is to our normal television exposure. The news tells us about the small percentage of our society that commit crime and the atrocities around the world, using sensationalist language. Soap operas depict false lives full of deceit and hatred amongst families and friends to the point of murdering each other or documentaries telling us how the government or corporates are dishonest and corrupt. So think about the above. How different are the feelings connected to the Olympics and our everyday television? Positive and negative?

So how can the positive effect continue in our everyday lives without the Olympics? Be aware of what you expose yourself to! (Oh yes, and don’t believe most of what you watch and read on the TV and newspapers!) Our minds do not differentiate between fact and fiction, so viewing something negative, the body will correspond as if it is actually happening, producing similar chemicals and physical responses. What we ‘see’ in our lives becomes our life, whether that is what we see on TV or our inner vision of life. So limit your exposure to the news and depressing soap operas and ‘Jeremy Kyle’ type shows. Watch something positive everyday, whether that be comedy or a wildlife programme etc, or do not watch TV at all and do something healthy and social instead! Get involved with clubs connected with physical activity at any level. Also, just like the Olympic athletes, ensure some of your life involves physical activity for yourself, however big or small. The chemicals produced during physical activity make us feel good but also the challenge of physical activity itself is good for us. I also mentioned dedication connected to the Olympic “feel good’ factor. When we are dedicated to our own well-being this sends a message to our brains that we are important which builds our confidence and inner strength, helping us cope with any day to day challenges.

So here’s to Rio in four years time and also ‘long live’ the feel good Olympic factor. The torch’s flame was extinguished after the Olympics but keep your flame burning bright and strong!

If you would like any further help with motivation or are suffering from stress and depression do contact me.

Bonita