What do you do?

 

As with anything in life that you are concerned about, the first and most important thing is to be aware of what it is that you feel needs to change.

Recognising what the problem is and looking at it in such a way as to understand that there is a solution.

So many people have problems, but they don't see them as problems and therefore nothing changes.

For example many people are trapped by negative thinking and they just accept that this is very much a part of their nature. They don't  imagine that perhaps with a bit of will and determination they could alter the way they perceive the world around them.

As with people who are overweight and don't pay attention to their eating habits or exercise routine.

 

However as soon as you are aware of what you feel the problem is, then you are a very long way into solving it.

 

Do you feel that you have an over active mind?

If so, we need to find a way of slowing those thoughts down.

 

Generally the reason your mind is creating so many thoughts is for survival.

They are being generated because of fear and your mind is looking for a way out. Therefore the racing thoughts are only happening in order to help you out of a stressful situation.

It is helpful for you to understand that your mind is your friend and your friend is pointing out to you that your circumstances need to change.

In other words you need to get to the root of the problem.

 

As with the sensation of pain when you place your hand in a fire, it is not the pain that is the problem, it is the fire.

 

So your thoughts are racing around for a reason.  You  need to understand the cause and then you can fix it.

 

Step one

 

Breathing exercises play a very important part in bringing attention to the hear and now, to the present moment. 

As with the emergency services, they quickly get to the scene and then absolutely focus on what needs to be done in that moment.

We often  hear stories of a person rushing into a burning building to rescue a child with no thought of their own safety. That is because they become intensely in the present, with no thought of the past or the future. They only focus on what needs to happen in that very moment.

 

Through breathing exercises you can bring yourself into the present, and the more often you do this the more natural it becomes.

 

So give as much attention as you are able to bringing yourself into the present moment.

 

Step two

 

Recognise the fire. What is it that is causing you anxiety?

You may feel there are many things that are creating stress in your life.

Try to focus on just one or two main  concerns.

Of course money is often a big issue and more often than not, people believe that if they had plenty of money then all their problems would disappear.

Actually that isn't the case at all. All that happens is different problems appear. We can always find something to worry about, if we choose to.

Our health, our children, our career, our friends, our purpose etc.

 

Clearly identify the key worry or concern, write it down boldly on a piece of paper and look at it.

Now list all the possibilities for helping to find a solution.

 

This process really helps to take the thoughts from your head and externalise them. By bringing them from your mind and placing them on the paper you can see them more clearly and therefore deal with them more easily.

When they are whizzing around inside your head, it is very hard to catch them and take control.

 

Simailary it can really help to have a friend help by listening to you,  and observing what they feel may be the prime concerns.

 

 

Step three

 

Now you have your concerns in black and white you can focus more easily on them, and start to think more clearly about what the options are.

You are effectively creating a plan.

As with making a meal, you first of all need a recipe. Once you have a recipe you then know what ingredients are required and so off you go to the shops.

And once you have the ingredients you can start cooking.

 

Its the same for everything in life. Nothing really happens without a plan of some description.

So you are now going to come up with a plan, simple!

 

And once you have a plan you will start to feel so much calmer and more in control.  Your thoughts will start to slow down. 

You will now be much clearer about what needs to happen.

 

Step four

 

Now you know what to do, you can calmly carry on.

You are taking full charge of the way your mind is working, and you now have a clearer understanding of how to go forwards.

I wish you a calm and peaceful journey.