When we disconnect from our body and stay in our head, we miss out on a connection to the deeper wisdom we can find within. Our body’s signals can often be dismissed or seen as less important than the messages we are receiving in our brains. However, it’s important to listen to our bodies, as the body is wise and can tell us what it needs to thrive.

No wonder we look at our phones so many times during the day; we are looking for that something or a distraction, a respite where we can disconnect from the feels that come up for all of us in response to our current reality. But, the distraction only gives us temporary relief - the feels don’t go away. By giving yourself a lot of time to slowly shift this habit as well as a lot of space for relapses and not judging yourself for the relapse, you can eventually become aware of what you want a distraction from and like magic, you will start looking at your phone less.

Allowing yourself to feel both positive and negative emotions is healthy. Dr. Dan Siegel’s research on ‘Name it to tame it’ was groundbreaking in its use of fMRI images showing the disengagement of the brain’s amygdala when emotions are labeled and talked about. Now new research with nearly 1,700 participants over a five year period also showed healthy psychological outcomes for those who allow both negative and positive emotions to be felt and experienced.

If you are looking to improve your mood, de-stress or enjoy some non-screen down time, push aside any thoughts that keep you inside and break through to get outside.   The more your break through the thoughts that keep you inside, the easier it will get as your body will crave the pleasant sensory experiences that awaits you … outside.

A recent randomized-controlled test study from November 2022 caught our eye as it found that participants that fully engaged with an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program experienced reduced anxiety levels at the same levels as those taking 10-20mg of escitalopram, commonly sold under the brand names Lexapro and Cipralex.

Whether you call it ruminating, intrusive thoughts, perseverating or just plain “I can’t turn my brain off”, repetitive thoughts that bring discomfort show up quite regularly. Applying polyvagal theory connects repetitive thoughts to a sympathetic nervous system state.    Five tips to calm racing thoughts and disengage from sympathetic nervous system.