60 seconds to free yourself from the stress of the unexpected

I woke up last week to my phone in a frozen state.  

Then my baby’s nanny called in sick. 

All my carefully laid plans for the next 2 days were put off schedule. 

Life happens. We have no control over certain events. 

What do you do when things don’t go as planned? 

If something doesn’t go your way, do you get thrown into a spiral of “I don’t want this!”

We often react by wishing it away. Or imagining scenarios where it hadn’t happened the way it did. In essence we get caught up in a loop of thoughts of not wanting things to be the way they are. The loop is so automatic that we don’t notice the effect it has on us of getting lost in the stories in our head. 

I’m currently running an eight week mindful group, one of my absolute favourite thigs to do. 

As we go through the program I do the home practices too.

This morning I did this week’s mindful practice, which was to be fully present with one routine activity per day. 

I chose being fully present as I made my morning cup of tea.

I heard the water being poured into the mug, I noticed the steam rising up, smelt the aroma of the tea and felt the warmth of the mug as I lifted it to my lips.

I suddenly became aware of how much of time and energy I spend trying to make things different to what they are in the moment. 

The exercise reminded me to see how things are in the moment rather than forcing it to be another way. 

My awareness expanded…

I then heard my 6 month old baby gurgling to her Dad and him responding with the incy- wincy spider song. 

I smiled. 

I would have missed this beautiful moment if I was caught up in my thoughts. 

How much are we missing by staying, to quote one of my patients, “Trapped in thoughts”.

Here’s a simple technique to free yourself from the stress of things not going as you planned. 

Feel your body make contact with what you’re sitting or lying on. 

Allow your body to be fully supported. 

Notice the sensations in your hands and arms.

Feel your feet on the floor. 

What do you notice now?

Maybe that’s the only thing we have to do right now. See how things are. Let go of how we want them to be. 

Then notice what arises next…

I hope you have a magical day. 

Let me know how it the practice goes …

Love your life now…