Podcast Summary
Adapting to challenging times and building emotional resilience: Recognize emotions during tough times, focus on building emotional resilience through practices like thought work and coaching, and manage health anxiety by acknowledging feelings.
Humans have the incredible ability to adapt to new situations and find meaning in them, even during challenging times like a pandemic. Our brains are wired to experience a mix of positive and negative emotions, and developing emotional resilience through practices like thought work and coaching can help us cope with anxiety and adversity. A common concern during these times is health anxiety, and it's essential to remember that our past experiences with health-related worries may have intensified, or new worries may have emerged. By acknowledging these feelings and focusing on building emotional resilience, we can better manage our anxiety and find ways to thrive in any situation.
Our disconnect with mortality and desire for control over health: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights our fear of mortality and control over health, rooted in past experiences and cultural avoidance of death and aging. Acknowledging and confronting these fears can lead to a more balanced perspective.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted our disconnect with mortality and our desire for control over our health. Many of us have patterns of health anxiety rooted in our past experiences and beliefs. Our culture's avoidance of death and aging, coupled with the emphasis on diet culture and personal control, exacerbates these anxieties. The pandemic challenges our illusion of control over our mortality and health, revealing that unexpected risks can arise at any time. It's essential to acknowledge and confront our mortality fears, recognizing that we don't have complete control over our health and that it's natural to experience uncertainty and anxiety. Embracing this reality can lead to a more balanced perspective on health and well-being.
The illusion of complete control over our health and bodies can cause unnecessary anxiety: Recognize fear of death and illness as normal, accept uncertainty, focus on what we can control
Our constant attempt to control every aspect of our bodies and health can lead to unnecessary anxiety and suffering. The illusion of complete control over our physical selves is reassuring, but ultimately false. Our brains are wired to react anxiously when we try to control things we cannot, such as our health or mortality. This is a natural response, but when we resist these emotions and try to avoid them, we create additional suffering. It's important to acknowledge that fear of death and illness are normal parts of the human experience, and accepting this reality can help reduce unnecessary anxiety and suffering. Instead of focusing on what we cannot control, we can focus on what we can control, such as our actions and responses to the uncertainty of life. Embracing this perspective can help us live more peacefully and mindfully.
Accepting mortality and lack of control brings peace: Accepting mortality and lack of control can reduce anxiety and allow for risk mitigation, while focusing on the present moment can help manage occasional spikes in anxiety
Understanding and accepting our mortality and lack of control over our lives and health can bring peace and calm, while refusing to accept it can lead to constant anxiety and rumination. This acceptance allows us to make decisions based on risk mitigation while acknowledging our limitations, rather than striving for impossible perfection. Additionally, hyper-vigilance about physical sensations can exacerbate anxiety, making it essential to focus on the present moment and recognize that our primitive brains may be overreacting to perceived threats. By accepting the bigger truth, we can have more moments of calm and use smaller techniques to manage occasional spikes in anxiety.
Managing brain's hyper-vigilance: Practice gratitude towards body's feedback and acknowledge that not every sensation requires immediate attention. Adopt a 'yes and' approach towards intrusive thoughts to reduce their emotional impact.
Our brains can be overly sensitive and constantly alert us to potential threats or sensations, even when they may not be necessary or relevant. To manage this, practicing gratitude towards our bodies for the feedback they provide, while also acknowledging that not every sensation requires immediate attention, can help reduce the brain's hyper-vigilance. Another technique is to adopt a "yes and" approach towards intrusive thoughts, especially those that are factual or hard to dismiss. By acknowledging and accepting these thoughts, rather than resisting or pushing them away, we can reduce the emotional impact they have on us. This approach allows us to take control of our thoughts and manage our emotions more effectively.
Expanding our perspective with 'yes, and': Instead of rejecting negative thoughts, acknowledge them and add positive or neutral thoughts to create a balanced perspective.
Instead of trying to completely reject negative thoughts, we can practice adding positive or neutral thoughts to them. This technique, known as "yes, and," allows us to acknowledge the reality of the situation while also focusing on potential solutions and sources of support. By acknowledging the negative thought and attaching a positive or neutral one, we create a more balanced perspective. For example, if you're worried about your finances, instead of focusing solely on the amount of money in your bank account, you can also consider your past experiences of getting through tough financial situations, your support network, and your skills and talents. This approach doesn't involve pushing away negative thoughts, but rather expanding our thinking to include a broader perspective. During uncertain times, this technique can help us navigate the challenges and find peace of mind.
Choosing our thoughts and managing anxious ones: Use 'yes, and' and IR tool to shift perspective, schedule checks on anxious thoughts, and seek support from communities like The Clutch for mental health improvement
We're experiencing an increase in thoughts on a daily basis, and it's important to remember that we have the power to choose which thoughts we focus on. Our brains may default to negative thoughts, but we can use tools like "yes, and" and the IR tool (acknowledging our lack of control over physical health) to shift our perspective and gain control over our thought patterns. Additionally, setting a schedule for checking in on anxious thoughts and giving our brains structure can help manage hyper vigilance. The Clutch, a feminist coaching community, can provide additional resources and support for implementing these tools and learning new ones to improve overall mental health.
Access The Clutch for valuable information: Text 347-934-8861 or visit www.unfuckyourbrain.com/forward/theclutch for quick access to valuable information on various topics.
The Clutch, a new resource by "Unf\*ck Your Brain," can be accessed either by texting a specific number for a link or visiting the website directly. The Clutch offers valuable information about various topics, and the convenience of accessing it through text message or online makes it an appealing option for those who want to stay informed. The number to text is 347-934-8861, and the website address is www.unfuckyourbrain.com/forward/theclutch. So, whether you prefer a quick text message or a more detailed online exploration, the Clutch has got you covered. Give it a try and broaden your knowledge on various subjects.
