Anchors To Ground Us (Part Three)
This is the final part of my first aid kit of tools I use to keep me grounded. Part One was on 2nd February 23 and Part Two was on 9th February 23.
If you’re like me and experience extreme mood swings, the lows can sometimes feel insurmountable. This is when I use these anchors to re-balance and return to more of an even keel.
THREE MINUTE MEDITATION
When you have a washing machine brain try this 3-minute meditation that I use to calm my anxiety. Close your eyes and try to feel the sensations of the breath, as you slowly inhale and exhale. Notice what thoughts are floating around and let them come to the forefront of your mind. I call this turning towards my demons.
Then imagine this scenario. You have a bench in front of you. Welcome your anxious thoughts and invite them in to sit on the bench for a cup of tea. In your mind tell them that it’s Ok for them to be there but you’re busy right now so they should sit and enjoy the tea. You’ll be back later to show them out. Then continue your focus on breathing until the end of the 3 minutes and then return to your ‘thoughts’ sitting on the bench and show them out. Open your eyes and see how you feel.
This is a way of separating yourself from the thoughts that are bugging you and allowing yourself some welcome respite from the turmoil. It may sound a bit whacky but try it. Doing this practice regularly helps me return to an even keel.
USE A TARA BOX
When you’re obsessing about something that is affecting your mood, and you don’t know what to do about it, try this. Write about what’s happening on a slip of paper. Put the piece of paper into a box and say to yourself: ‘Here, have a go at this, I could do with some help.' Then close the lid and walk away. This is another way of letting go and creating some distance.
I have a special box that I call my ‘Tara’ box (Tara is the female Buddha.) Call your box whatever you like. When I do this, I often feel a sense of relief and release, as if I’ve handed the problem over to someone else. I find that I can think more clearly and a solution sometimes comes to me. My turmoil dissipates.
THROW A COIN
If your confusion is about two competing decisions and not knowing which one to choose, find a coin. Decide on heads for one outcome, tails for the other, and tell yourself you’ll accept whichever way it lands as your answer.
Throw the coin, but before you look at which way it’s fallen, ask yourself which way you would like it to land. Then you have an answer as to what you really want to do.
WHEN YOU’RE FLYING (for the mood swingers amongst us)
When you’re flying and feel on top of the world, invincible even, remember to leave your credit card at home. Best not to drink alcohol. It’s OK to feel close to strangers and involve them in conversation, but don’t keep touching their arm or hugging them.
And definitely don’t go to bed with them. You’ll regret this in the morning, and you’ll feel rotten.
WRITE A POEM
Writing has been proven to lift your spirits and writing a free flow poem can help shift your energy. This is one I wrote about the value in writing a poem:
Writing a poem is a ritual
to comfort swirling minds,
offering palliative support for turbulent emotions.
Living on the edge,
outside looking in,
a poem helps to find a place, a firm footing.
Writing a poem offers insight
on time passed in the flash of living.
Can prise open tight circles of whirling thoughts.
Helps find the spot lost dreams go to rest,
Helps keep heart safe for human interaction,
Helps soften untimely candour.
Trim thorns piercing membranes,
Helps fix punctured tyres,
Helps heal, solve, celebrate.
Cherish life as it is,
not as we would have it be.
Try it.
Write a poem.
See where you land.
I hope you’ve found some of these first aid anchors (written over three blogs) useful. And that you’ve been able to put your own kit together. They’ve certainly helped me find welcome relief in anxious times and re-balance.
Author of ‘Wearing Red, One Woman’s Journey to Sanity’
Available at www.amazon.co.uk and www.browndogbooks.uk