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Your mind excels at multitasking.
It can ponder the purchase of new shoes in the same instance it convinces you your feet are weird-looking.
I imagine you have perfectly fine feet.
Our minds can be as insistently bothersome as shoes that pinch.
Heres the good and bad news.
At least not of its own accord.
There is plenty for your mind to observe and process.
And plenty you’re free to do to ease it and enjoy.
You just have to put your mind to it and, when necessary, ask for help.
Unsplash/Design by Cristina Cianci
Trust me, I know neither of those scenarios are on the easy-peasy side of your to-do list.
First, lets look at the difference between depression and disappointment.
We are apt to interchange their meanings when we speak.
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “Im so depressed”?
They didnt have those shoes in my size.
Depression is an illness.
In this moment, each of us has had a life altering event.
A psychiatrist will say you are what you think.
A therapist will say you are what you feel.
As an Ayruvedic specialist, I sayit’s all three, and a few more.
Thought
Start with meditation.
Meditation is simply recognizing a thought in quietness.
It is to be noticed as you would notice a feather blowing by your nose.
You acknowledge its a feather, but you do not wonder what kind of bird it came from.
Dont worry, there are no lost thoughts.
That thought will appear again.
Write down the thought and the feeling it creates.
Then give yourself time to ponder what flock it belongs to.
If it is a thought that strengthens a feeling of wellbeing, nurture it.
Otherwise, send it flying.
Emotions
Emotions govern your mind.
We are driven by emotion.
Yes, I know this is considered a modern-day flaw.
We are wired to feel first, think second.
Nothing gets productively sorted in the mind that is not first honored in your emotions.
I am not suggesting you make decisions in turmoil.
In fact I am suggesting when your emotions are flurried and you dont know what to dodo nothing.
Take time to consider where that emotion comes from.
When you are aware of why you do what you do, it’s easier to do better.
One revelation at a time.
Each one is necessary for the next to occur.
Unsplash/Design by Cristina Cianci
Sleep
It is increasingly recognized that sleep is closely linked to mental wellbeing.
Ever venture to make a decision when youre exhausted?
That rarely goes well.
From life decisions to whats for lunch, a rested body supports a clear mind.
Disturbed sleep can be brought on by mental stress or physical ailments.
Guilt can be a powerful motivator in changing behavior for the better.
Shame, on the other hand, has the opposite effect.
Shame makes you feel that change is hopeless because the problem is you.
Let me stop you right there.
You are not a problem.
You may need some clarity, yes, but negative feelings are not a reflection of your value.
Shame often accompanies depression and stops you from seeking help.
Non-judgmental professional help is out there.
The brain is an organ.
The same as any organ.
There is no shame or weakness in asking for help.
Understanding Toxic Positivity
In every negative there is positive.
In every positive there is negative.
Thats simple yin and yang balance.
Gratitude fosters positivity, but nothing in gratitude says to limit other emotions.
Just like energy, inauthenticity enters the room before you do.
There is nothing authentic in devaluing your human emotions.
The truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Home
Why am I speaking of home concerning your mental health?
Home is not only the people you live with or the dwelling that surrounds you.
Home references self and soul.
For me, the most important home to care for is yourself; your being.
No matter where you live, your body will always be your true home.
You gotta do the work.
Love your family, love your friendsbut most importantly love yourself.
Id like you to switch now from my words to your own.
Ill get you started on that one.
I am grateful for this complex mind and my ability to guide it towards contentment.
