Humans have a wonderful capacity to think. Despite the obvious needs and applications of an intellectual and contemplative presence in the building of culture and industry, the mind can get very carried away with its often incessant and inconvenient ruminations and certainly with the added weight of chaotic emotions as a result of trying times.
With all the current external pressures, stressors and uncertainties it is essential to get a hold of how we engage in our own thinking and processing. It is easy to get lost in social, political and emotional rabbit holes. To journey into worrisome and fearful places, to let our imagination run through every worst-case. These types of thoughts create emotions and each emotion releases chemicals in the body…. stressful thinking produces stress response in the body. You can apply every self-care technique in the world, but until you approach the management of mind as a self-care practice, you are missing the restoration of your biggest and most influential operating system of your reality.
This does not mean sweeping your worries, fears, emotions or concerns under the rug into the abyss of the subconscious. Stay informed, stay engaged, give yourself permission to feel what you are feeling, and without guilt or judgment. Give yourself permission to sit with the shit. Don’t spiritualize it, don’t gloss it over. But also, don’t get stuck in it. Stagnation is oppression and death. Movement is life and creates renewal.
In the same way that we might modify or adapt a yoga posture for optional safety and alignment, we must be willing to adapt the posture of the mind.
An acronym I use often in the practice of yoga as well as my clinical practice is AIR.
Acknowledge
Interrupt
Redirect
Acknowledge the path and quality of thought that is moving in an unsafe direction. Simply notice and identify where your thoughts are going. The second we become aware is the second we have the potential for change.
Interrupt the line of attention. This is often challenging as we are easily addicted to negative pathways. Take a deep breath, bring your awareness to the body or your five senses or tangible things in the environment.
Redirect your thoughts to things that you know are true and real vs ruminating projection based in assumption of worst-case. Redirect your thoughts to solutions (what CAN I do), growth, or even acceptance (coming to peace with what I cannot).
Of course, mindfulness is best complimented with meditation practice of simply learning to watch our thoughts and emotions. I will not go into the details of the spiritual, neurological, cognitive-behavioral and nervous system benefits of meditation, but trust me when I say it is one of the MOST influential treatments for mind-body health. Even just starting a ‘sitting’ practice for 3-5 minutes a day will prove to be helpful in your sense of grounding, center and peace.
Consciously apply AIR and a “sitting” practice to bring new life to old thinking. Diligence is key. Rewiring the brain is beautifully possible but also requires dedication and perseverance. Keep at it. Breath by breath, one mindful moment after another.
And so the practice begins.
