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.

What we do know is that emotions don’t just disappear over time. Feelings are akin to energy and the energy of an emotion needs to be released in some way or fashion. Writing about what you are holding, feeling, experiencing deep inside of you is a great way to express and release this energy.

Listening and social engagement can soften someone who is being defensive or has PTSD. It is usually because they are engaged in ‘fight or flight’ and they can’t just turn it off by themselves. They need connection to another human who cares about them, who really listens to them, lets them know they are heard, validates what they are feeling and saying.

How are we suppose to cope with all the feels and stress from the uncertainties and challenges that surround us everyday? Most people internally disconnect from intense feelings by denying them, distracting with eating, working, or binge-watching. Or others disconnect by numbing them with alcohol or other substances. Now is the best time to learn how to cope.