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Mental Diet

Writer's picture: Melissa CarrickMelissa Carrick

Mindset. Some think it’s a “woo woo” concept. A hippy dippy thing, “peace, love, happiness...” For me, it’s science. It makes sense. Thoughts manifest physically in the body. Think about your greatest fear. What are you scared of? What makes you anxious?  Your brain just produced adrenaline. Notice that your heart rate speeds up, your breath becomes faster and more shallow, your eyes dilate to be able to detect and see better, your hearing gets sharper. You might shrug your shoulders up towards your ears, creating neck and shoulder tension.  Fists clenched. Frozen yet ready to run or attack at any minute.


Think about something or someone you love, that makes you smile and laugh. Your shoulders drop, a great big sigh slows the breath, your muscles relax, you’re unknowingly grinning. Your brain just produced oxytocin and dopamine. The feel good hormones. We produce them anytime we feel good, and I talk about this A LOT in pregnancy, labor, and birth.


Even in the moments we feel out of control, we can control our thoughts. We can begin to change the conversation in our head the way we want it to go. What stops most of us, is that we don’t believe it. How we can tell ourselves something that isn't true? Guess what?? It doesn’t have to be true. Our subconscious mind doesn’t decipher what’s true or not.  It doesn’t have the ability to reason, therefore, it believes whatever it sees or hears. Subliminal messages, anyone?


Every little things we hear, see, feel, smell, all day, everyday...triggers us in some way. Triggers don't have to be all bad. We have positive triggers too! So why don't we focus on those? Write yourself notes, leave yourself reminders, set alarms on your phone, place things about your environment that are happy and positive and start to rewire the brain for positivity. I have post its on my fridge, in my cabinets, in my car. I have dry erase love messages written on every mirror in my house. It is my screen saver on my phone. So go! Feed the subconscious positive thoughts and the body will respond. Read here for a great explanation and daily habits to help you do this.


What are you feeding your brain? What is your mental diet? Let's chat!



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Great Buffalo and surrounding areas of WNY

716.566.8050

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Kind Words

Melissa sets a tone that is comfortable and nurturing, all before she drops her knowledge and skill into the mix. Her demeanor, her attention and her focus is second to none. She is compassionate, curious and holds one accountable to their goals. She asks the right questions and keeps the path flexible yet still moving forward. Working with Melissa, I discovered ways to slow down and take more time to understand the why behind my desire to act. She helped open my mind and heart to adopting new processes that are in better alignment with who I want to be."

~ Amy P,  Life Coaching Client

Kind Words

I had never worked with a life coach before and I immediately saw the benefits. If I’m being truly honest, working with a life coach has been more productive than mental health counseling. That is not to say MHC is not important. This is only true for me and wouldn’t necessarily be the case for anyone else. I like having things to actively work on. I need to feel productive, that I am moving forward. Life coaching gets right to it. Melissa is very skilled at holding you accountable in the most non threatening way. She is firm but loving. She is wonderful at holding space AND challenging your beliefs. She keeps you focused and redirects you to get back on the path that leads to your desired destination. I can’t speak more highly of Melissa. She is an emerging star in this field!"

~ Lisa B, Life Coaching Client

Kind Words

"I'm just in awe at how empowered I felt! I really loved that I had guidance from Melissa ahead of time to prepare myself mentally because that was a huge component  to the positive outcome I had.  Those key principles we worked through to eliminate fear, tension, control have actually been super helpful during postpartum life.  I'm so thankful to know how to manage that!"

~Erica C., First Time Mom/ Doula Client

Kind Words

"If I didn't have these weekly classes I don't know how I would have made it through this pregnancy.  It literally saved my emotional and mental health!  Melissa's techniques, mantras, and overall kindness helped me in so many ways and I cannot begin to properly thank her  As a first time mom to be, no one can ever prepare you for the up and down emotional and mental rollercoaster you can experience. This class, the other mamas, and Melissa provided support that I didn't even know I would need, but am so thankful I found.  I know that physically and mentally I'm more prepared for labor and birth than without this class.  (Update: The doctor and labor & delivery nurses give Melissa a BIG THANK YOU- they said they were impressed with how calm I was able to be, and how focused my breathing was!)"

~Remy M., First Time Mom, Yoga Student

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