Feeling overwhelmed from all of our "to dos" or even thinking about not knowing what "to do" can cause us to spin in our minds, and in many cases, completely shut down. We often feel "alone" in our anguish - the negative spinning makes us feel separate, like no one can possibly understand what we are going through - or we talk about the problem incessantly to others, trying to justify what we do, or are going to do - to get support (and wearing them down in the process). Think about the anguish and pain we are feeling when we do this! The thoughts that rise up and spin are sending chemical signals to our bodies, causing us to feel fearful or anxious, our stress level rises, our blood pressure goes up, we might get a headache. Our minds are so involved in "solving the puzzle" that we are not paying attention to the present moment, our jobs, children, nature - we may feel disconnected. This "over thinking" of a problem or issue wears us out physically and emotionally, so that even our regular activities can overwhelm us. While some "build up" of emotion when we are making big life decisions is normal, and can even help us reach a decision (because focusing on a situation, collecting information and advice informs us, so we can reach a decision we can live with), studies have shown that we are more productive and "happy" decision-makers when we are able to take "breaks" from thinking intensely about a problem. Taking "breaks" from ruminating over a problem also opens us to receiving flashes of insight, that give us ideas that would not have come, had we anguished over and continuously turned the problem over in our minds. The "feeling alone" aspect of this can also open us up to tremendous negativity from within and without. Our own judgements and fears are activated - and we are more susceptible to criticism or judgment by others - meaning, things that would normally just roll off of us, might bother us at a deeper level (I also call this "psychic attack"). You can see how easily this emotional cyclone can effect our lives in a negative way. Many people live in this state constantly. You do not need to feel all that pain, fear and anguish anymore. Set your intentions on feeling peace and gratitude each and every day and try the following exercise to help identify some of the pressing issues that are fueling the emotional cyclone(s) active in your life right now.
Try this exercise: Take a piece of paper, and write down everything that is "spinning" through your mind - be sure to leave some space in between the "to-dos" for some notes later in the exercise. This includes big and little things - from feeling sad over a loss, relationship decisions to a grocery shopping list. Just let it out, get it onto a piece of paper. Once you have it all written down, sit or lay down in a comfortable position, with the note pad or journal close by - and use the 6 minute energy body meditation to redirect your mind. If a particular thought or another urgent "to-do" pops up, crack your eyes open just enough to add it to your list, and then send the thought away on a cloud or in a bubble! Stay with the meditation.
When you are finished, look at your list - triage the things you have written down by putting a number next to it indicating it's importance. As you read each item, take notes on what emotion you feel when you read it. Is it anxiety, resentment, fear, or a different emotion? Take notes next to that item about what you are feeling. Really pay attention to where that feeling is in your body - and just observe it without judgement. Now, observe the feeling in your body - and write down where in your body you feel it? Notice that as you consciously observe the feeling in your body, the emotion will dissipate and break up, so that it is no longer quite as emotionally charged as before. For larger, more important issues, it may take a number of rounds of feeling it and paying attention to the emotion in your body. But stay with it! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!
Try this exercise: Take a piece of paper, and write down everything that is "spinning" through your mind - be sure to leave some space in between the "to-dos" for some notes later in the exercise. This includes big and little things - from feeling sad over a loss, relationship decisions to a grocery shopping list. Just let it out, get it onto a piece of paper. Once you have it all written down, sit or lay down in a comfortable position, with the note pad or journal close by - and use the 6 minute energy body meditation to redirect your mind. If a particular thought or another urgent "to-do" pops up, crack your eyes open just enough to add it to your list, and then send the thought away on a cloud or in a bubble! Stay with the meditation.
When you are finished, look at your list - triage the things you have written down by putting a number next to it indicating it's importance. As you read each item, take notes on what emotion you feel when you read it. Is it anxiety, resentment, fear, or a different emotion? Take notes next to that item about what you are feeling. Really pay attention to where that feeling is in your body - and just observe it without judgement. Now, observe the feeling in your body - and write down where in your body you feel it? Notice that as you consciously observe the feeling in your body, the emotion will dissipate and break up, so that it is no longer quite as emotionally charged as before. For larger, more important issues, it may take a number of rounds of feeling it and paying attention to the emotion in your body. But stay with it! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!
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