Stand-by Mode

By ALICE O’BRIEN Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket

Lots of devices in our home have energy saving modes. The TV goes on stand-by mode if left unattended, our phones lock themselves when not in use. Even the hair-straightener turns itself off after a certain timeframe. In a time when utility bills are high and the environment needs an energy break, stand-by modes are very useful and clever.

So, what about a stand-by, energy saving mode for our minds? Our minds are very busy places, hundreds of thoughts occupy our heads continually. Our engine room of thinking is always working, filtering our thoughts into categories like worry, stress, planning or imagining. Even when we are asleep, the mind is working hard sorting the events of the previous day into memories.

So, it’s only natural that we might need an energy saving mode for our brains. Automatic pilot mode is one method of quietening the thinking- for example, have you even driven to a destination and not noticed certain parts of the journey, that’s because your mind has shut down enough to allow you to carry out the task of driving but is ready to focus on any unforeseen issue that might arise. Other ways of quietening your mind for a much needed rest might include engaging in flowstate activities. These are things that fully absorb your attention, challenging you enough to keep you interested but are not so challenging that you become overwhelmed.

Examples of flow-state activities might include playing a musical instrument, doing a creative activity like art, knitting or painting, or activates like running or walking can also be flow-state activities. Cooking, baking or gardening can also be very helpful ways to slow the mind down. Whatever task works for you to give you a bit of respite from an over-worked mind is very important to your mental and brain health. So, find your most enjoyed activity and do more of it, put yourself into stand-by mode occasionally and enjoy the quietness.