With the prospect of spring just around the corner, the sun shining, the warmer weather, longer evenings, and now at last being able to see a way forward out of lock-down maybe we can turn our attention to connecting with things that are important to us or even trying out new exciting things. Connecting with what matters and enjoying the love, joy and warmth that brings is like breathing in pure fresh air, giving us the motivation and energy to live life to the full, to get the most out of life.
However, that’s easier said than done especially when our minds tell us compelling negative stories. Maybe stories about what happened in the past and going on about all the things that have gone wrong. Our minds also tend to convince us that the future will be more of the same. Not only that, if you give these stories your full attention, they disconnect you from the present moment and this is often what happens in depression and anxiety.
Its like having the radio tuned in to radio doom and gloom and the volume turned up full blast. So let’s turn the radio off and appreciate the good things in life and connect with things that are important, meaningful and of value to you. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, maybe just listening to your favourite music or eating lunch, or walking in the country, listening to the birds or just sitting in the sunshine.
Lets pretend it’s the very first time you have done this and pay full attention with all your senses, notice everything you can see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. Notice absolutely everything. If you’re listening to music pick out the different parts of the music, notice the different instruments. If you’re eating notice the smell of the food, the colour, the taste, how it feels in your mouth. If you are sitting in the sunshine notice the warm sun on your skin, notice the breeze, the rustle of the trees, notice all the sounds, notice any smells in the air.
So the next time those old stories pop up, which they will, ask yourself “Is this a helpful story? Is this thought going to disconnect me with the present moment”? If you decide the story is unhelpful, focus on more helpful thoughts and connect with what you are doing right here, right now in the present moment and enjoy the present, it’s a gift for you.
I am a clinical hypnotherapist with a background in the NHS in training and development. I've been a hypnotherapist for 8 years and during that time I have been constantly training and expanding my skills. I work with mindfulness based therapies and integrate CBT and EMDR into my therapeutic toolbox. I specialize mainly in anxiety related difficulties, for example social anxiety, fears and phobias and trauma. I am also a yoga and meditation teacher. I teach slow mindful yoga and all my classes at the moment are on line via Zoom
