Stress takes a toll, even on the most positive among us. Have you found a new rhythm to your life yet?
Each day is an adventure; my moods fluctuate roller-coaster style all day long.
A new painting begins
Until recently, our daily habits sustained us. We might need new habits.
Physical habits like brushing our teeth are a must and are so ingrained we’re not in danger of losing them.
It’s time to cultivate habits that help maintain our emotional & mental health.
We are our thoughts and feelings, as much, maybe more than we are our physical bodies.
We’re being reminded to wash our hands more than ever (and that’s a good thing); it’s time to start “washing our thoughts” — or at least to be aware of them.
Feelings come from somewhere. It’s often the mental chatter going on in the background of our mind that triggers our emotions.
I think you can guess who this will be
“What were you thinking?” (I heard Mom’s voice as I typed that phrase.)
Seriously, what were you thinking just now? It can be helpful to pay attention to our thoughts.
“Monkey Mind” refers to the crazy thoughts that wake us up in the middle of the night, feeding our worries and fears.
It might be easy to push fears aside when we’re awake, but the monkeys come out to play when our defenses are down. Trying to rein in Monkey Mind in the middle of the night is fruitless. Nighttime is not the time to calm fears or tame thoughts.
What if the simple act of mentally acknowledging our fears during the day kept the monkeys off our backs and out of our heads at night?
Watching our thoughts and acknowledging our emotions during the day is a habit to be cultivated at any age. Set a timer to go off at random times and ask yourself what you were thinking when it goes off. Apps like “Mood Meter” make it even easier.
Was your last thought helpful?
Did it make you feel good or bad in the moment?
Was it a thought that you want to repeat to yourself?
Studies show that we have thousands of thoughts a day, that we repeat up to 95% of them from one day to the next, and that up to 80% of our thoughts are negative.
Thoughts gain momentum.
Are your thoughts taking you to a happy place or to the dumps?
Mental Hygiene might take extra time in the beginning, but each time you catch yourself in a troubling thought, you’re on the path to mental clarity.
It’s easier to rein in negative thoughts before they’re stampeding full-steam ahead. The more we do it, the easier it gets. We seem to have time to start this work now.
Albert is available as in 11x14 matted prints, email patrice@artofaloha.com