If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
The interesting thing here is that only you know what’s helpful for you. And what’s helpful for you may not be helpful for me. This tends to throw many people for a loop. You see, most of us are constantly seeking outside validation. “If they’re doing it this way and it works for them, then I need to do it too. And if I don’t? Well, then clearly, I’m not doing it the right way.” You’re not alone. I do it, too. It, uh, takes one to know one.
Cock-a-Doodle-Doom: What Roosters Teach Us About Anxiety
I learned on vacation that my nervous system's response to anxiety is not much unlike Richard the roosters. Well, sans the hoping into a tree. Here are three unconventional ways to help calm your nervous system that don't include perching on a limb or cock-a-doodle-doing.
Rewriting your inner script: the stories we tell ourselves
I have a running dialogue inside my head most of the time. I tell myself stories about everything. Sometimes, it's a creative endeavor that I sink into, but mostly, the stories are about myself and my experiences. I talk to my clients a lot about the stories they tell themselves. If they get still and quiet for a moment, what do they notice they're saying to themselves or about themselves? What do they observe?
Just Snap Out Of It!
Oh, just snap out of it. Yeah right! That phrase has worked how many times? Probably never. Well, not until now.
Rested, Rooted, & Restored: It’s Retreat Time
Interrupting my usual musings to let you know I’m co-hosting a mini-retreat at Jiva Yoga Center. If you’re in the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina area, you’re invited to say goodbye (for now) to your to-do list, soak up relaxation and calm your nervous system. In only 90 minutes you’ll feel rested, rooted, and restored.
Navigating the Storm Within: A Guide to Managing Overthinking
Overthinkers unite! As we embark on this whimsical journey into the realm of overthinking, fasten your seatbelts (if only it were that simple) and prepare for a rollercoaster ride through the intricate corridors of our minds.
What not to say to someone with an anxiety disorder
While most people experience times of worry and anxiety, there's absolutely no comparison to what people with anxiety disorder experience. Sure, it was most likely uncomfortable. Yet, given enough time, the anxiety subsided, and you were on your way. Anxiety disorder is a different beast. Most of the day, every single day, they are entangled in intense feelings of worry, guilt, and shame. Many will experience panic attacks. And there's an underlying fear something dire will happen. Not to mention the swirling storm of competing thoughts, usually of the "what if" variation. There's an overwhelming sense of being out of control. Thereby pulling you to try to control anything and everything in your path. There are rarely any exceptions. To say that anxiety is challenging is an understatement. While the person with anxiety is experiencing an internal battle for control, the person watching feels helpless and confused. It's mentally and emotionally taxing for everyone involved.
3 Ways to Calm Your Anxious Mind
So here it is. Your mind will always think. Constantly. All. Of. The. Time. You can’t stop your mind from thinking. That’s what minds do. It means you’re alive. Oh, and those thoughts you’ve labeled as negative…you can’t stop those either.
3 Ways to Navigate the Holidays if You’re an Introvert
Being an introvert at this time of year can be tricky, especially with the expectations, events, shopping, and family gatherings. First, let me dispel some myths about introversion—many introverts like people and socializing. Really...we do. The difference is that we get overwhelmed or exhausted if we have to be “on” for a long time. If you’re also a compassionate person, go ahead and multiply that by at least two.
Creative Ways to Increase Self-confidence
There are inherent dangers once we tread outside the norm. We could embarrass ourselves, we could fall flat on our faces, or we could do amazing things and, at the same time, experience the feeling we’re a fraud. The longer we pay attention to these unhelpful thoughts, the more likely they are to become our beliefs. Eventually, it’ll become our truth, and we won’t even question their existence. These unhelpful beliefs will become the distorted lens through which we view life. And they’re far from rose-colored.
3 Common Myths About Meditation Debunked
Meditation. It's a popular buzz word that often gets tossed around a lot. And although it may seem a bit mainstream, there remain a lot of questions and myths around meditation. Like what is it exactly, and am I doing it wrong? I was too afraid to ask the same questions when I first began meditating years ago. So, let’s clear up three common myths about meditation.
Coloring to Reduce Stress
Researchers – yes, that’s right…this topic has been researched – have discovered that the act of coloring can relieve stress. Coloring activates the part of the brain that stimulates creativity, as well as relaxes the part of the brain responsible for emotions and survival instincts. Hello, reduced anxiety and stress!