Focus on the Good: Managing Overwhelm Using Positive Sensations
Have you ever instinctively rubbed your shin after colliding with a coffee table, providing a quick balm to the pain while involuntarily uttering a few choice words? This automatic response reveals the power of the brain's inherent mechanism to override pain perception with pleasurable actions. In this post, we delve into the potential of harnessing this response consciously during moments of stress to effectively manage overwhelm.
Our big human brains grant us the unique ability to experience diverse realities simultaneously, a skill that can bolster our resilience when confronted with challenges. Consider these scenarios:
Feeling both concern for our planet's state and the ache of admiration for the night sky
Simultaneously experiencing fear and anger in response to global conflicts while being held in comfort by your lover.
Balancing the anxiety of starting that new job with the wonderful texture of your new underwear.
Reflect on these scenarios:
Do your physical sensations shift with changing emotional states?
Are there distinct body sensations linked to each emotional state? Is one sensation easier to handle?
Can you acknowledge the role of beauty, gratitude, or love in alleviating pain?
From a physiological perspective, the body possesses a remarkable function where specialized spinal cord structures prioritize non-pain signals over painful ones. This principle, known as the Pain Gate Theory, illustrates our natural inclination to use pleasure as a tool to manage discomfort.
This understanding becomes a potent tool during chaotic times, transcending mere positive thinking to fundamentally alter our body's biology. Once signals reach the brain, positive emotions such as hope, love, and joy trigger specific neurochemical responses that enhance resilience in stress-filled moments while mitigating the impact of stress chemicals.
Did you catch that? Your thoughts and emotions can influence your body's responses to pain.
This revelation empowers us to regulate how we react to pain and stress, be it physical, emotional, or otherwise. Although these concepts are intricate, and I’m certainly no expert in this field, the key takeaway is that while we cannot control external circumstances, we can attempt to master skills that enable more sustainable responses to them.
To sum up:
Prioritize activities that evoke positivity during stressful periods, fortifying your resilience with an influx of "happy hormones."
Balance exposure to negativity, like avoiding excessive doomscrolling or information searches related to worries. Find an equilibrium between staying informed and protecting your inner serenity.
Take action aligned with your desired world. Even simple actions, like deep conscious breaths, while relaxing your body, disrupt anxiety's grip. Engage in activities that contribute to causes beyond yourself while maintaining inner calm.
Remember, it's reasonable to be affected by global turmoil. If you're struggling, it's a testament to your compassionate heart, a quality our world sorely needs. Your well-being matters, enabling you to channel your energy and action from a place of profound empathy.
Prioritize your well-being so you can show up in the most powerful ways possible. The world needs you.