There are those of us who who tend to get lost in our heads, lost in the drama, lost in a moment and for that time period we are quite vulnerable.
It is in these moments that one can quickly make a wrong choice or conversely become apathetic and avoid important responsibilities and tasks.
It is not always easy to identify this “moment” in the moment, but chances are we have been here before and though we may not yet see it, those around us do. The family, work and relationship struggles? The various endeavors we haven’t quite finished? The things we said in the moment that we immediately regretted in the next? The things we did to avoid the feelings?
So how can we scratch the itch before it becomes a glitch?
1. Don’t feed the mood:
The feelings associated with the experiences that pull us down are not generally good ones. You can almost point to areas in your body from which they originate. A tightness in the chest, a gnawing feeling in your stomach, a fogginess in your head, an anxious or depressing line of thought, tension or twitching in your eyes.
These feelings start off small and build up but require your mental and emotional nourishment to grow. When you start to notice the signs, don’t feed into them, rather:
2. Find the root:
Pause and reflect. It may be hard to accomplish in the moment, but it is critical to take a moment even if you have to excuse yourself from a particular situation.
What is at the source of these feelings? How long have they been there? Are there multiple causes to the feelings and will your current reaction solve any of them? Is your current reaction a long term solution?
Chances are the answer to the last two questions is no and so:
3. Break the flow:
To break the flow takes a commitment to change and the knowledge that no matter what you feel in the moment, it will pass. It requires a hard stop. This can be accomplished by politely removing yourself from a particular moment (without commentary), utilizing relaxation and breathing techniques, taking a run or engaging in other exercises, engaging in a mental game or puzzle on your phone, a funny YouTube video, anything that will refocus your mental and emotional energy away from the itch and onto other things.
You should notice the feelings dissipate quickly at first and then become more manageable over time. Take note of what works for you and put it in your mental “toolbox” for when you need it.
4. Tune in.
Once you are on stable ground it is important to be tuned into what the issues are at the root, and what to do about them before they become a problem. To do this it is best to engage the support of a therapist or coach experienced at helping people navigate life issues. While you can possibly solve many issues on your own, chances are if you are already feeling the itch, then you could use some support and there is no shame in that. Players require coaches, and human beings are social creatures and tend to be able to work out issues faster (logistical, technical, mental, you name it) together.
At The Detox Center of Los Angeles we offer comprehensive therapeutic services to meet the needs of our clients with whatever they are struggling with.
Take control of your life today by calling: 888-767-5692
