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Stress and our thoughts.
When we have times of stress in our lives it can become increasingly difficult to remember that we have the ability to make choices about our thoughts. Our minds swirl with the litany of "to do's" and the anxiety builds. When we are in this space we can feel out of control and helpless to bring ourselves out of the cycle. There are things we can do, however, to begin to gently coax our resistant minds’ to see a different path.
The first step is to realize that we are under stress. This simple awareness offers the opportunity to make change; after all, how can we change something if we don't know it exists? We can't. So, if you find yourself realizing how stressed you are, give yourself a pat on the back - you have made the first positive step! This may sound silly because it is easy to judge ourselves harshly for being stressed-out in the first place, but consider how much more likely you will be to take the next positive step if you feel good about having taken the first one. Celebrate each success.
So, we know we're stressed, now what? Well, now we get to make a choice. Ask yourself this question: Do I still need this stress? Again, this may sound silly, but we are in this situation for a reason. Sometimes stress can be a motivator and drive us to accomplish a goal. If, however, the answer is "no, I don't need this stress" then we can make the choice to step out of it. The choice is the point where we reclaim our power to live consciously in each moment. Once we make a choice and actively support it into manifestation change has begun. One of the simplest means of taking this power back is to stop and breathe. Sit down, wherever you are and breathe. Focus on this action. Feel the air move in through your nostrils and down into your lungs, and back out again. Imagine that the air going in is peaceful and calm and that it will wash away all the stress in your body and mind. Allow your mind to slow down and your body to relax. Just let it all go.
The thoughts that we think are not who we are. They are just thoughts, yet they are often the number one reason that we are stressed in the first place. For example, focusing on thoughts of worry, fear, conflict and inadequacy serve to hold us in those very energies. By virtue of spending our mental energy on those things we create a field of worry, fear etc… around us. What types of things do we draw into our lives from this place? You guessed it - more of the same.
Any type of activity that relaxes us will support the process of managing our thoughts. Meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in nature are all good options. Our focus needs to consciously be on "what am I thinking and does this support me in a positive way?" If it does not, we have the power to change it through a new choice. Making a decision to think in a new way can be assisted by using an affirmation. An affirmation is a positive statement of the new choice. For example, "I now choose thoughts that support me" reminds us of our intention and keeps us focused on it.
What we think is directly related to what we feel. In fact, our thoughts create our feelings. The field of Psychoneuroimmunology has demonstrated that our body’s biochemistry changes in response to our thoughts. Happy thoughts lead to happy feelings. Crappie thoughts lead to crappie feelings. (This is an area I will write about more in future blogs.)
The ability to be aware of our thoughts, and choose different ones when needed, is something that requires practise and a willingness to accept that we may not be perfect at this. It also requires that we be willing to take responsibility for our thoughts. What does that mean? If we let someone else tell us what to think we have given our power to them. Taking responsibility for our thoughts means we don’t make excuses or blame others: we are the only ones with the power to choose our thoughts.
If our thoughts lead to our feelings, then we can also be responsible for how we feel.
Can you imagine a world where people were responsible for their thoughts and feelings?
I will explore this next week.
Until then, may you find peace in every moment.
Susan
The first step is to realize that we are under stress. This simple awareness offers the opportunity to make change; after all, how can we change something if we don't know it exists? We can't. So, if you find yourself realizing how stressed you are, give yourself a pat on the back - you have made the first positive step! This may sound silly because it is easy to judge ourselves harshly for being stressed-out in the first place, but consider how much more likely you will be to take the next positive step if you feel good about having taken the first one. Celebrate each success.
So, we know we're stressed, now what? Well, now we get to make a choice. Ask yourself this question: Do I still need this stress? Again, this may sound silly, but we are in this situation for a reason. Sometimes stress can be a motivator and drive us to accomplish a goal. If, however, the answer is "no, I don't need this stress" then we can make the choice to step out of it. The choice is the point where we reclaim our power to live consciously in each moment. Once we make a choice and actively support it into manifestation change has begun. One of the simplest means of taking this power back is to stop and breathe. Sit down, wherever you are and breathe. Focus on this action. Feel the air move in through your nostrils and down into your lungs, and back out again. Imagine that the air going in is peaceful and calm and that it will wash away all the stress in your body and mind. Allow your mind to slow down and your body to relax. Just let it all go.
The thoughts that we think are not who we are. They are just thoughts, yet they are often the number one reason that we are stressed in the first place. For example, focusing on thoughts of worry, fear, conflict and inadequacy serve to hold us in those very energies. By virtue of spending our mental energy on those things we create a field of worry, fear etc… around us. What types of things do we draw into our lives from this place? You guessed it - more of the same.
Any type of activity that relaxes us will support the process of managing our thoughts. Meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in nature are all good options. Our focus needs to consciously be on "what am I thinking and does this support me in a positive way?" If it does not, we have the power to change it through a new choice. Making a decision to think in a new way can be assisted by using an affirmation. An affirmation is a positive statement of the new choice. For example, "I now choose thoughts that support me" reminds us of our intention and keeps us focused on it.
What we think is directly related to what we feel. In fact, our thoughts create our feelings. The field of Psychoneuroimmunology has demonstrated that our body’s biochemistry changes in response to our thoughts. Happy thoughts lead to happy feelings. Crappie thoughts lead to crappie feelings. (This is an area I will write about more in future blogs.)
The ability to be aware of our thoughts, and choose different ones when needed, is something that requires practise and a willingness to accept that we may not be perfect at this. It also requires that we be willing to take responsibility for our thoughts. What does that mean? If we let someone else tell us what to think we have given our power to them. Taking responsibility for our thoughts means we don’t make excuses or blame others: we are the only ones with the power to choose our thoughts.
If our thoughts lead to our feelings, then we can also be responsible for how we feel.
Can you imagine a world where people were responsible for their thoughts and feelings?
I will explore this next week.
Until then, may you find peace in every moment.
Susan
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