WITH WINTER UPON US WE ALL WANT TO AVOID THE COUGHS AND COLDS. GAYNOR PARKE HAS SOME ADVICE YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF TO STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY THIS WINTER.

When I was cleaning out my cupboards recently I discovered an old book I thought I had lost entitled "The Body Is The Barometer Of The Soul" by Annette Noontil. It is very much like the writings of Louise Hay in such books as "You Can Heal Your Life". Both of these authors suggest that all illness or ‘dis' ease is a reflection of the emotional state of a person. They consider that the greatest influence on our state of well-being is our emotional state and the relationship we have with ourselves and that "we are what we think about".

Mahatma Gandhi was quoted as saying, "A man is but a product of his thinking, what he thinks he becomes". If we ascribe to this way of thinking then we would agree that positive happy thoughts attract pleasing manifestations while unhappy complaining fearful thoughts attract unpleasant manifestations. Whether it be wanted or unwanted, giving it our attention will draw it to us in some form. So how do we use this awareness to stay healthy over winter?

Look for things to appreciate rather than complain about. Look for things that make you feel good rather than make you feel bad. If you are waiting at the bus stop and it starts to rain, focus on how the bus won't be long. Focus on "at least I have an umbrella" Think how good it will feel to get to work and be in the dry. Imagine how good your morning coffee with taste as it warms you up. Granted it's much easier to find thoughts of appreciation when you're on holiday on the beach in summer (I believe that's one of the reasons why we are healthier in summer) but there are things you can focus on when the cold winds of winter blow. It just takes a bit more focus and determination to find things of a positive nature rather than a negative nature.

If taking your vitamin C makes you feel good to prevent the coughs and colds by all means do it. If staying home for an extra day when your feel rotten feels better than going into work and sneezing over everyone and "soldering on" then do it. Basically, whatever "feels the best thing to do" is the answer. Your inner guidance knows what is best for you so listen up and you are more likely to enjoy a healthier winter season than if your ignore your own inbuilt wisdom. It's easy to find things to complain about when you are cold and wet and would rather be home with a hot chocolate and a good movie. Allowing negative complaining thoughts to take hold in your mind will only bring unpleasant manifestations so banish them and look for thoughts that feel good. Imagine your summer holiday, feel the warmth of the sun on your face and the sand between your toes. Enjoy your holiday way before it arrives and you will banish the coughs and colds and when it's time to go on your holiday it will be even better than you imagined. Wow you win on all fronts.

If your body wants to rest more in the winter months, do it, if it wants to play in the snow, do it. Whatever "feels good" to you. What works for one person may not work for others. We need to remind ourselves we are all individuals and the one who knows what s in our best interest is our inner guidance. Don't let logic make you sick - literally. Let your inner knowing guide you away from illness into a healthy happy life and you will have more to give your family friends and workplace when you are brimming with health and enthusiasm.

Gaynor Parke is an author, public speaker, facilitator and CEO of Advanced Success Life Coaching. Her passion is to help individuals and companies get from where they are to where they want to go. To find out more or to subscribe to her newsletter visit www.advancedsuccesslifecoaching.com.au