You might have heard, ‘If you have a racing mind, you have to learn to calm it down and go into a meditative state.’ – but how many of us can hope to remain in a thoughtless meditative state for more than a second
Neurology has concluded that the constant stream of thoughts that we have is something that has helped in our evolution. It is supposed to be a useful trait we developed over the centuries.
This trait when left unchecked can make or break our worlds. And even though controlling it might take a few years of practice, I have found that directing it works immediately and gives wonderful results.
I mean giving the brain something interesting and fun to think about instead of letting it wander into anxious thoughts. So, if you know you will be engaged in an activity that does not require your 100% attention, for example when cooking or going for a walk, think about an exciting upcoming trip or activity that needs to be planned.
You can try to give the brain a problem that you have been trying to solve at work. You can even engage in wishful thinking. Go a step further, and in your mind, go to the place you love or would like to visit in the future.
These are some ideas you can try out to make use of your wandering mind.
Another interesting play that you can engage in is to become an observer of your thoughts. When you find yourself lost in thought, see if you can pause and check-in with the stream of thoughts running in your mind. Say out loud that ‘my mind is thinking about ____’. And repeat this exercise throughout the day.
You might be surprised at how your subtle thought process directs your actions throughout the day. It defines your relationships and your success in different endeavors.
If your thoughts are leading to anxiety, speak to a therapist or write a journal. This brings to your consciousness, the things you are anxious about. They will help direct you to solution-based thinking, rather than a worry-based thought pattern.
We lead a very busy mental life, make sure you are aware of this chatter and directing your energies to where you want them to. All of us can do these simple exercises to get familiar with our inner worlds.
You can kill two birds with one stone by ensuring that you spend more time in nature. Not only does it improve mindfulness and help take control of our mental health, but spending time in nature can also mean more physical activity. Ensure that you spend at least half an hour outdoors, whether it is playing a sport, running, or just taking a walk. Try to disconnect from your electronic devices as well, while you are at it, for best results.
Drinking water is essential for the human body to function. However, we often tend to ignore the importance of drinking enough water, especially during the winters since we do not feel as thirsty. Make it a point that you drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day, and you will start to notice a difference in your health in just a few days.
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