The presence of mind in the moment allows to reduce stress.
We all encounter stress on a daily-basis. The one thing that bashes us over the head is us focusing on irrelevant information or experiences. Further elaborating these experiences, these moments are more focused on bad events in our past points in life or future possibilities. We view these future moments with such negativity. Instead of anticipating what can go right , we focus on what can go wrong. I'm not saying that expecting negative consequences is a bad thing. It is good to anticipate it if it has really happened. Based on that, you can find a realistic solution.
We do not want to fix something that has not happened. By honing in on those types of thoughts, it makes the mind obsessive. An obsessive mind can become out of control and lead to physical manifestations or symptoms. Symptoms might include checking things over like an individual with OCD. You might be so confused by this fear that you are not present when you drive or cook. You could end up not stopping at a stop sign. Honestly, I have to say for me my body stiffens all over as if any moment I will drop on the floor like a heavy log. I have to clearly say that it might cost you to go to Freudian therapies.
You especially need to function with this mindset when you are working. I mean that you need to constantly break down your moments, so that you do not get overwhelmed. I have to say when I was an EMT, I had to cut my days in sections. When I thought of picking up patients, putting on lights and sirens, running through red lights, radioing in with the dispatch units, dropping off patients, and taking vital signs, it all came together in your mind as a difficult force to manage. My chest and head would tighten. It would be hard for me to breath.
This section will find a solution to allow you to stay present. Do you want to know what you can do? It's simple. These tips or techniques will be powerful to get you steady in your existence and on your feet.
1. Sort out thoughts
You need to sort out thoughts into 3 mind slots: the past, the present, and the future. I phrase this as the " mind slot technique". The slot that is most relevant to you is the present. You want to acknowledge them, so lets say for example you realize you have to do something a day later, you ignore it for now. However, if it requires you to take action today to finish it tomorrow, you can finish that step.
Let's demonstrate this. You are sitting and watching television and you want to watch without any troubles. Your thoughts keep on coming up of thoughts of what might happen if you did not pay the electricity bill today than tomorrow. You can use the mind slot technique. Is paying the bill the present or the future? It's the future. I write it down on the notepad in my white iphone 5C and then I do not think about until it is time.
The past can be traumatic. For example , you have to do some favor because the relative will get mad. This can have a past reference in the sense you have had a bad interaction with this relative and that's why you feel obligated. However, you are fearful and stressed out. You need to realize that's the past. It should not matter now. Finish what you need to do in the present. Resolve your experiences later on.
2. Command your mind
You need to command your mind. You need to say things to yourself to believe that you are able to do things.
Since my name is Sam, I will say " Sam stop being stressed out. Be self-aware that your body is stressed . Focus on being calm. Breath deeply. "
This is an example my friend, but you can use any form of language. The least you have to do is command yourself as if you are another person.
3. Question your rationality
Ask yourself questions. This will dig deeper into the rationality of your thoughts.
Frankly I feel that as if bad things are about to happen. That is when you ask the question :how do you know something will happen? This happening is a future possibility. You have to understand that we can not predict the future.
4. Evidence of the present
We have to do activities that allow us to realize that we are dealing with the present. What are some things you can do? Squeezing an object or breathing deeply registers as if we are in present time. Breathing deeply activates the vagus nerve, a nerve that is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. I can say I know what this nervous system does since I'm a former Medical Student. Let me clear this up for others. This nervous system is called the rest-and digest system meaning it calms our bodies down as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system or fight-or-flight system, which gives that adrenaline rush. As far as squeezing objects, I squeeze the steering wheel when I'm driving. I feel so stressed about other things that I have to remind myself that I have to stay focused.
In conclusion, in order for any to work to occur, you must take action. I am a skeptical personality. I take action and ask questions along the way. If you have any questions, definitely leave them in the comment section.
