2 minute read
Tennis Anyone? by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
Life C ach
Tennis Anyone?!
By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., MFT, CLC
So, is something is bugging you? Kind of plaguing your mind?
Well, let’s review. What do we know?
We learn that it’s helpful to change our perspective in order to help stop the ruminating, especially on things that we cannot change.
But how do we stop the ruminating on why we are having a hard time, changing our perspective, in order to quiet the ruminating? So we kind of get stuck in that vicious cycle.
Here’s how it goes: aggravating thought; desire to get rid of it; attempt to change the thought; then aggravated that we can’t focus on a new thought. Then that’s the new aggravating thought....
This may be the moment to resort to Plan B.
Distraction!
Get out of your head, your house, your habit.
If you cannot change your mind, try to not mind a change!
A new activity can redirect your brain’s focus. Rather than thinking how to not think, your brain is kept busy with doing something else, so your mind is automatically just not thinking. It’s actually busy being somewhere else.
If you cannot find something to do, begin by prepping as if you do have something to do.
Maybe start by grabbing a few household items. For instance: a hammer, an old encyclopedia, two very ripe plums, a toaster oven, a big beach ball, an elephant or anything resembling one, and, of course, a mug!
Didn’t that list already get you out of your head a bit? A nutty list, huh?! But that, my friends, is the start of distraction! Because it took you in another direction.
If you can think of something you like to do that requires a lot of your physical and mental attention, you’re off in the right direction.
It needs to be doing something that pulls you in. Something where concentrating on the present, the here and now, is a must.
Here are some ideas:
Sports can be a great distractor.
Sudoku can absorb one’s mind.
Resolving someone else’s problem can require physical or mental input or even both.
How’s reading this article working for you?
How about reading this article
while hopping on one foot?
How about reading this article, hopping on one foot, and singing your favorite song?
Basically, do whatever it takes to get as many senses as you need involved in distracting your mind.
So try for a new perspective or get involved in a new activity.
Or, stay where you are and drive yourself nuts living in the problem, the past, the future, the confusion, the pain...
Tennis, anyone?!
Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.
