Let’s just skip straight to it …
Life can be tricky. There are days you just don’t want to think. Well, what if there was a way to allow your mind to take a rest?
Would you be willing to give it a try??
Quieting the Noise
Throughout life I have developed unhealthy habits to make life more manageable. Sometimes creating some laughable memories along the way. I will admit there are times when I just couldn’t manage with life, hid myself away. And that’s OK too. But it isn’t a nice place to be.
We all need to take care of our mental health; in the same way we care for our physical health. I have found solace in utilising techniques and methods to help my sensitive brain cope in this modern world.
This past year has shown we could all do with a little more resilience.
I am lucky, I have been working on my mental health for some time and along the way I have come across a wide range of tips and techniques. Some have worked for me, some less so. I have the means to share this information with others who may need it. So I plan to.
I am not a professional in this field, the only experience I have is my own battle with my mental health. So, most importantly; find your own way!
To help you quiet the noise, I will share each month a tip or technique that may help you…
Where to Begin
Have you ever been travelling to work, home or somewhere you go regularly and finding yourself on autopilot? Have you ever forgotten how you got from one place to another because, although you were functioning, you were lost in your thoughts? Have you left a conversation only to think of a clever reply later?
This is mindlessness.
Our brains functioning on autopilot. This is when we can get caught in a world of past regret or future worries.
But life is in the here and now.
So, the first step is to focus on the present. What is happening right now?
Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves silently paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander. – Source NHS.uk
Reminding yourself to take notice is the first step to mindfulness. Here are some tips that may help.
Notice the Everyday
- My photography forces me to take notice. Narrowing my view of the world to one single frame, and how to express that.
Keep it Regular
- Mindfulness can help us all in the busy modern world. But we are all different. Find your own rhythm to suit your day. It can be something you try on your commute, to unwind from your work day, as a pause between tasks. Whatever you need, find what suits you.
Try Something New
- The unknown can be scary. Fear can be the only thing holding us back. No matter how small this can help you realise your own potential and true capability. It may help keep that fear and anxiety in check. It can be as simple as sitting in a different seat in meetings, or trying something new for lunch.
Watch your Thoughts
- Some people, like me, find it difficult to practice mindfulness. This is the reason photography helps me. It’s also often good to remember mindfulness isn’t about stopping the thoughts, but rather observing them.
Name Thoughts and Feelings
- It may help to detach yourself from your thoughts and feelings by naming them. For example “I am thinking I might fail the exam” or “This is anxiety”.
Free Yourself from the Past and Future
- Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere. And it can be especially helpful when you find yourself stuck in past problems or future worries.
I hope you find something of value in these tips. Get back to me and let me know if they have helped. I do plan to share more as I come across new methods. Please do get in touch about your own stories too. I love to learn, even the creepy, weird and funny stuff.
Send me a message, I love to learn about this kind of thing. Even the weird and funny stuff.