By Mary Joseph, MPH/BlackDoctor.Org

If you log on to social media around this season, you are bound to see a few “challenges” to get yourself together in the year. From the 21-day squat challenge to the money challenge where you save a dollar every day of the year, challenges are popping up in hopes to make this year the best year ever.

But there is one challenge that many people don’t talk about, but everyone should. It affects everything mentally and physically about you, but it’s the last thing people talk about.

It’s a 21-day-fast from negative thinking. Yes, negative thinking.

It takes 21 days to wire a new habit and a negative mindset affects us in much more ways than you can imagine. We are our own worst critics and can be the hardest on ourselves. But changing your mindset can not only help you accomplish your goals, but also has been proven to assist with your health. So we’ll spend three weeks creating new healthy and life-affirming habits.

Over the next 21-days (you don’t have to wait until January 1st), here is a proactive way to change your mind in order to change your life.

Day 1

Write down what you are committing to. For example, “I _, will only speak positive things about my life, my body, my relationships, my goals and my thoughts for the next 21-days starting on [insert start date] to [insert end date]”

Repeat this statement every hour on the first day.

Day 2

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your body while looking in the mirror. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 3

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your relationship (friends included). Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 4

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your family. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 5

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your body while looking in the mirror. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 6

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your health. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 7

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about money. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 8

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your home/apartment. Every time a negative thought comes to mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 9

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your job. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 10

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your relationship (friends included). Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 11

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your family. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 12

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your body while looking in the mirror. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 13

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your health. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 14

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about money. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 15

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your home/apartment. Every time a negative thought comes to mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 16

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your job. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 17

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your body while looking in the mirror. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 18

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your relationship (friends included). Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 19

Repeat day one’s mantra then say something positive about your family. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 20

Repeat day one’s mantra then repeat everything you’ve said all the previous days. Every time a negative thought comes to your mind, repeat day one’s statement.

Day 21

Repeat all of your previous positive statements throughout the day. Remember them from this day forward. Know them and let them be a part of your life. Good luck!