By The Tahona Society Editorial Team
Understand the Power of Positive Thinking and How It Boosts Your Physical and Mental Health
5 Steps to Connecting with Yourself
Cultivating a relationship with yourself beginning 2023 is a lifelong, inside job. But it is also a daily practice that you can do anywhere. Here are some steps you can follow.
1. Pause & Check in with Yourself
We often don’t realize it, but we spend a lot of time on “auto-pilot,” in a state of excessive mental noise.
When we are in this state, we are only superficially connected with ourselves and less likely to feel what is beyond the mental chatter.
So, what ca we do? We can interrupt this by pausing, and simply noticing how we are feeling in the present moment.
2. Notice your Experience
Pay attention to the sensations in your body. What do they feel like and where are you feeling them?
Begin noticing any thoughts that come up with curiosity and without judgement.
3. Be with the Moment
If an experience or situation feels difficult, acknowledge it. Don’t resist or try to ignore it. Rather, get intrigued about it and also have compassion for yourself as you experience this difficult moment. If you can’t feel anything, just notice that.
Sometimes we can’t access our emotions because our body is protecting us. Remember that emotions are sensations in the body that eventually pass.
4. Connect with your Body
Support yourself through breath and touch while the emotions move through you. There is no need to name the emotion, but you can if it is helpful.
Think less about having to name it correctly, and more about how the sensation actually feels.
Take a look at this example: perhaps you feel heat in your gut, tension in your chest or calm in your face. So…bring your hands to the parts of your body that are experiencing the sensations, and focus your breath there.
5. Try and Remain Connected Throughout the Day
You can do this exercise again as many times as you like throughout the day. Some people set an hourly timer.
But if you experienced a particularly difficult emotion, consider eliminating some tasks from your to-do list for the day, if possible.
And remember: If at any point it feels like too much, contact a loved one or call a crisis hotline. If your situation feels like an emergency, call your local emergency number. If you are in the US, https://giveanhour.org/gethelp/helplines/ lists several 24-hour text and call resources.
