When we are overwhelmed by confusion, our psyche tries to establish certainty to alleviate our discomfort. This is usually accomplished by mentally imagining and acting out a plot. Unfortunately, much of the time, we mentally visualize pessimistic (or worst-case scenario) scenarios to provide certainty.
But, right now, think about what story you’re telling yourself in response to this confusion. Playing out a scary story is of no benefit to you. It’s important to remember that what’s unknown has yet to be discovered. Take a step back, count to five in your head, and choose to concentrate on an inner story that makes you happy instead.
Turning Inward: What It Is & How It Helps
Turning inward and turning outward are two methods for paying attention. During the last two decades, turning inward has become a more important aspect of care. It’s a method of analyzing and becoming more mindful of your thoughts and feelings. Tuning in to your body and monitoring your emotional reactions accomplishes this.
Essentially, the aim is to teach your senses to ignore external stimuli. Various treatments will help you calm down and concentrate inside yourself by introducing you to turn inward using deep breathing and visualization strategies. Since they are less dependent on externals or verbal communication, anxiety and trauma treatments that teach patients to turn inward may seem awkward or uncomfortable at first.
However, as treatment progresses, the inner world becomes more secure, familiar, and healing.Unfortunately, most of us do not live our adult lives in this manner. Instead, we look to the outside world for solace, affirmation, and peace.
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” – Buddha
We’ve Forgotten How to Recognize and Resolve Our Unhappiness
In general, most of us are distracted in one way or another. We constantly multitask excessively, exhaust ourselves, and neglect our inner lives, which could bring us the most harmony, enjoyment, and happiness.
Of course, most of us have the potential to turn inward; we’ve just become uninterested in doing so. When we were kids, it was normal and easy to turn inward. We used to enjoy tasting and savour our favourite foods. We used to fall deeply into a sound and restful sleep. And we relished a familiar song, a sunny day, or taking a moment to think and daydream.
You were probably more aware of your interests and dislikes back then, based on what pleased you and able to pinpoint what harmed you. You shared and processed the pain before moving on.
Unfortunately, evidence suggests that we are conditioned to divert our attention away from our inner self along the way. Instead, we get caught up in daily distractions, complex relationships, painful experiences, and poor coping behaviours, severing the strong bond we once had with our core emotions. Fortunately, even while treating emotional distress that causes anxiety, therapists and researchers are discovering the importance of reconnecting you to your internal existence.
Here are some practical tips that will help you Turn Inward and Detox Your Mind
Be gentle with yourself and others.
With so much detail, you’re doing the best you can. When you start to feel irritated and overwhelmed, pay attention to what you are doing and thinking. When you become more conscious of what causes you, such as the fear of a pandemic, you give yourself the ability to react more thoughtfully. Instead, focus your energy on something that makes you and others feel comfortable.
Limit how much media you consume
It’s essential to keep up with current events. However, keeping updated does not have to consume you! Spending an hour on your phone reading a social media thread isn’t going to help you feel better; in fact, it’ll just make you feel more overwhelmed and anxious. As a result, become a media user who is aware and mindful. Plan to search reputable news outlets and restrict your time spent on them.
Get out of paralyzing analysis
Stopping a stream of panicked thoughts can be extremely difficult. Stop what you’re doing and turn your body if you’re exhausted and experiencing “analysis paralysis.” Get your mind out of the way and into your body. Shake, twerk, dance, and hop around. Just get moving.
Love your body
It’s really easy to numb nervous emotions by eating low-energy foods and drinking alcohol. This avoidance tactic would almost certainly make you feel more stressed in the long run. So, as much as possible, practise self-care by respecting and enjoying your body. Keep the body healthy by focusing on conscious, medically sound behaviour.
Nurture your inner world
Simply concentrating on what makes you happy is a way to feel better. Here’s a short rundown of some stuff you might try: Watch programs that make you feel comfortable and don’t make you anxious. Make a call to your mates and have a pleasant conversation. In your living room, dance to music that makes you happy. Consider taking an online course. It will help if you read more books.
Spend time in the great outdoors. Make the most of this time of active social distancing by nurturing yourself. Try meditating as much as you can.
“You either control your mind or it controls you.” – Napoleon Hill
A meditation to ease overwhelm so that you can tap into your inner well-being
Switch off your cell phone and find a quiet place to sit where you will not be disturbed. Sit upright with your legs uncrossed and feet planted firmly on the ground. Place your palms facing up.
- Bring awareness to your breath.
- Breathe in and out on a count of five.
- As you inhale, focus only on your breath; count for five and then exhale.
- Focusing entirely on your exhale for the count of five.
- Then on each inhale, mentally repeat the following words: I welcome inner peace and well-being.
- On each exhale, repeat the following words: I release all overwhelm and fear held in my being. I am safe.
- Breathe in and out, restating these mantras for as long as necessary.
- As thoughts come up in your mind (they always do!), witness them and refocus your awareness back on your breath.
- Try to do this for a minimum of five minutes. (You can get a free guided relaxation meditation that you can listen to here).
As it becomes more comfortable for you, increase your meditation length and practice this as often as necessary. Make it a priority to protect your mental space as much as you do anything else that matters.
If you have a constantly gossiping friend, either ask them to change the subject or avoid seeing them if they are unable to do so. Don’t watch the news for three hours a day if you know it would stress you out. Make a firm commitment to being the most grounded, happy individual you can be… and avoid allowing something to seize and hold your minimal attention.