If you are feeling depressed you are living in the past. If you are feeling anxious you are living in the future. Are you aware of what you are thinking that is contributing to these feelings?
There are some studies that suggest you may have 50,000 thoughts a day. Over achievers and perfectionist may have even more. These thoughts contribute to the how you experience your life.
Think about this for a moment. If you are allowing your thoughts to carry you away recalling an experience from the past where you regret a decision or you are still angry at someone for what they did to you then you are not living in the present moment. If you are feeling overwhelmed with things you need to do or stressed about money to pay bills or anxious about an upcoming meeting then you are not living in the present moment. Is this really serving you?
There is a better way… Becoming aware of your thoughts and consciously choosing more ideal thoughts can ease your mind, lower your stress, enhance your relationships both personally and professionally, and help you to enjoy life fully.
Here are some ideas to help you get started!
PRACTICE THE PAUSE. Always come back to your breath. You are always breathing so you can always take a moment to notice your breath. Take 3 breaths before you reply to emails or texts. Take 5 breaths when in a heated discussion. This will allow you to intuitively respond instead of emotionally react. The outcome will be significantly better. You will save yourself some regrets and will be cultivating compassion.
In these moments of a few simple breaths notice what your thoughts are, notice what your feelings are, notice any sensations. Do not try to get rid of them. Most people want to be validated to find peace. By noticing them you are not avoiding them. You are validating them and they will allow you insight into YOU. As you get better you can simply acknowledge and validate and then begin to choose a more ideal thought when you notice your mind has gone to the dumps.
Developing a regular practice of noticing your breath for 5-30 minutes each day rewires your brain to automatically begin to “practice the pause.” Many people begin this and get discouraged because of the thoughts they have. Everyone has thoughts. The goal is not to control them but to not allow them to control you.
The best strategies for dealing with thoughts include: using a mantra (repeat a phrase over and over). You can choose whatever works for you. Perhaps its is “breath in, breath out.” Perhaps it is “I am worthy.” Perhaps you count to 10. Perhaps you count and imagine the numbers or maybe imagine the numbers as something else. Just choose something positive and kind.
The intention is to bring your attention back to the present moment so the you can feel good and make conscious decisions. With that you will gain an awareness of your thoughts and feelings so that you reduce your stress level, cultivate healthy relationships, create success, confidence, and especially peace of mind.
Set up a free phone consultation to learn more https://amymccae.as.me
Mindfulness Matters is an accredited, neuroscience based, emotional intelligence program created for developing conscious, visionary leaders.
Amy McCae is a Life Coach and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher in Omaha, Nebraska. She is passionate about healing and helping others and especially about mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
Amy spent her childhood dreaming of being a doctor only to watch her mother die of cancer when she was 20. Her life took an entirely different direction after that and she spent much of her 20’s sick with chronic illnesses.
One day Amy was too sick to take care of her newborn baby and she had to crawl to the phone to call for help. Amy then went on a quest to heal and looked in places she never knew existed before that day. AND she healed largely through fitness, nutrition, and meditation.
The experience allowed her to rediscover her passion for healing and helping others. Amy now holds numerous certifications allowing her to be of support to individuals and organizations. Mindfulness Matters is an accredited 8-week online course rooted in science and inspired by her desire to help others develop emotional intelligence (especially leaders and those struggling with self-doubt and overwhelm). Please contact Amy for more information and to sign up!
Amy McCae 