Our thoughts, our feelings and our actions are intrinsically linked – they all influence each other.

It is easy to see how our actions and feelings are influenced by our thinking – for example, a stranger goes out of their way to help you with something. The thought comes ‘how kind’, creating feelings of appreciation and warmth towards that person, and our physical response might be to verbally show our appreciation or respond in kind…

A less obvious connection is that our feelings and our thoughts are also affected by our actions. In the words of Mel Robbins;

“Never, ever, ever let your mood dictate what you do. You have to take action first, because movement changes your mood.”

Many times, I have been held hostage by negative thoughts and feelings, at the mercy of my mood (mood is great way to describe the intersection of thoughts and feelings). A common consequence is inactivity, plus a growing feeling of negativity or despondency.

However, understanding the transformation in mood that comes when i take action makes it easier to hold those feelings and thoughts lightly, freeing myself to move forwards and build positive momentum. For me exercise is a great way to help reverse the negative feelings and thought cycle. It might be a walk, a bike ride, a set of press-ups, whatever, the result is a release of the natural feel good chemical, dopamine, in the brain, and I am freed to think higher than the presenting circumstances and to begin feeling better again.

Time and time again, i have been transformed emotionally through exercise, releasing me to think higher than the pressing situation or circumstance that would otherwise consume my mental and emotional energy.

Another way that action works in a positive way, is to create a snowball effect. By starting with a small task, like clearing my desk, or tidying the office, i get a sense of accomplishment (albeit a small one!), but i can then fuel the next bigger and potentially more important action with the energy from the first achievement. My feelings are uplifted, and thinking is improved. Rather than being stuck in the mindset of this is too difficult.. i am demonstrating to myself that i can actually do this, and my mindset has to give way to the new reality its presented with.

So, next time you’re struggling with negative thinking, give yourself a break, take action, and trust that feelings and mindset will be transformed into a positive mental attitude.