Some researchers suggest we have up to 80,000 thoughts a day, and according to some articles up to 85% of the thoughts we have are negative; 90% are repetitive. What you thought about yesterday, you’ll probably think about today and tomorrow.
Although we may think that thoughts matter, the reality is that a lot of our thoughts are just noise and nonsense. They feel real, but they’re not true.
Because we give our thoughts so much weight, it means when we think something, even if it’s rubbish – like when we call ourselves a name – we may instinctively act on it. You might spend hours thinking, and thinking (and thinking) about how to deal with it. It can be exhausting. (In my book Answers In The Dark, I call this “going down the plughole, because it’s dark down there).
The brain is like a muscle, and whatever you give your time and attention to, you’ll get good at – the muscle strengthens. So if you focus on learning the piano, you’ll become an accomplished pianist. In the same way, if you spend your time focused on worries, you’ll get really good at worrying.
For some people, not being able to tame their thinking can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. This activity may help.
We now know about neuroplasticity – the ability to change the way the brain behaves throughout our lifetime. This essentially means we can teach it to work differently with help and practice. Research supports the idea mindfulness is one way to change the neural architecture of the brain and to help manage the mind.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is bringing your awareness fully to the experience of living in the present moment. You’ve probably been mindful more times than you realise. If you’ve ever caught yourself listening to the rain on your windowsill, or captivated by a sunset, this is mindful awareness. This is also known as informal meditation or “off cushion” practice. You can read my article on this here.
One of the biggest myths about mindfulness and mindfulness meditation is that it’s about clearing the mind. In fact, it is the process of thinking that makes mindfulness activities possible, by recognising thoughts as they come into our awareness, and describing in the mind what we’re doing: e.g. thinking. So it literally is the thought that counts. If you’re worried about trying mindfulness or mindfulness meditation, always speak to your healthcare team. You could try the following activity, do what’s right for you.
Mindful Moment
As you do this, you’ll notice that your mind starts to wander. Acknowledge this with kindness, remembering that’s just what minds do. As you become aware that your mind has drifted, acknowledge this and simply describe in your mind what you’re doing which is: “thinking”. Then return your attention once again to the experience of sitting in a chair, listening for sounds. You can return to your day when you’re ready.
Delphi is the author of Answers In The Dark: Grief, Sleep and How Dreams Can Help You Heal, out now on Amazon and Hive. You might also like Monday Mojo™.
©️ Copyright Delphi Ellis 2019, updated 2024
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