Free Your Anxious Mind

Anxiety and an overactive mind feel overwhelming and can drive misery. The greatest trick the mind ever played was convincing us it was in control, and that what it says, goes. Our minds often tell us we have no choice but to do what it says, and it makes us believe that we are merely its servant. When we feel anxious and stressed, we often feel completely dominated by our minds.

Growth and healing require putting the mind back in its place - as the object of our awareness, not as the subject dictating our life. If we work on expanding our awareness, we begin to see we have far more options than we could possibly imagine. We begin to see we do not have to live our lives on repeat. Our minds/egos are defensive structures and exist to uphold the status quo (no matter how miserable it makes us). Expanding our awareness and decentering the ego require consistent, daily practice to overcome its defensiveness.

Like anything worth achieving, growth requires work. If you feel overwhelmed by your mind, start small. Find a daily practice and be consistent. One of the easiest to begin is to start every morning by taking two minutes to breathe deeply and set an intention for the day. Repeat your intention (aloud or in your head) for two minutes.

Another simple practice is to check in with yourself every time you sit down to eat. Ask yourself: Am I present or am I lost in my thoughts? If I am lost in my thoughts, can I briefly bring my attention to this experience of eating and simply be present?

This type of consistent practice helps grow a space between our awareness and our thoughts. Over time, we become less reactive emotionally and behaviorally. When we are less reactive, we are more able to see all of the options available to us, not just those the mind has decided are “safe” because they are familiar. Be consistent and patient. Change takes time, and the mind can be a formidable force. Consistency and commitment to a practice - even a small one, helps us build trust in ourselves, leading to our ability to build our practices (and awareness) over time.

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Dr. J