Cars have check engine lights. Planes have sophisticated alarms and lights that go off when something is wrong.
And we have our bodies to react, sending clues to inform us that something is wrong. We get headaches, feel dizzy, and so on.
These are the physical warnings that something is wrong – but what indicators do we have from our minds?
What are your thoughts and feelings telling you about your overall health?
Our Minds, Our Brains
The brain, as much as we can tell, is the organ that houses our mind.
While most people who are health conscious will instinctively check in on their physical health, they may rarely stop to consider what’s going on within the dark caverns of their skull. They do not consider what goes on in their minds; they do not consider their thoughts and feelings.
At first glance, it is almost too easy – in fact tempting – to overlook our thoughts and feelings. Because they do not bleed, tear or ache like our tissues, muscles, and bones…they are not physical. Yet they exert the most impact on our lives.
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality. – Seneca, Roman philosopher
The fact that many conditions have been traced to (and are rooted in) poor mental health is more than enough reason to pay closer attention to our thoughts and feelings. In case you’re wondering, some of these conditions include:
- unexplained aches and pains
- insomnia
- obesity
- clinical depression
Stepping away from the realm of illnesses and diseases, the quality of life one enjoys is to a great extent tethered to how one thinks and feels.
We Choose to Be Unhappy
But how can someone decide to be unhappy? Who in their right mind would choose to be unhappy? Who?
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln
The problem is not that they choose wrongly, but that not choosing is also a choice.
The quality of life we lead is greatly dependent on how much we limit the suffering in it, while increasing the enjoyment in it. If you don’t take charge of your life, it can be one horrible roller coaster.
But how do you regain control of your life and happiness if you are already in an overwhelming situation?
Start by checking in on your thoughts and feelings.
5 Steps to Check in With Yourself
The aim of checking in on yourself is to know exactly the people, places, and circumstances that make you feel happy (so that you can expose yourself more to those), and those that make you feel down (in order to limit your exposure to them).
Below is a quick guide to help you keep your pulse on those thoughts and feelings.
1. Breathe – learning to slow everything down.
You need to slow down and take a deep breath.
Life can get very busy, with its urgencies and deadlines, but you must realize that not everything that is urgent is important. Sometimes, it may just be you trying to distract yourself with work, music, or some other activity.
You need to pause and breathe.
Breathing pulls you into your body. It keeps you grounded and aware of what is truly important – your wellness.
Use These 10 Breathing Techniques to Beat Stress & More!→
2. Observe – What’s actually happening to you?
With all activities halted, bring your mind to observe all that is going on within you.
Apart from registering our physical health, our bodies send signals about how we are feeling; maybe:
- Your heart is racing
- Backaches are becoming more common
- You’re breathing heavily
- Your eyes get blurry
- You feel a tightening in your stomach
These can all be indicators of different physical and emotional states.
And it is only by observing that you know when to steer clear of the activity or do more of it.
3. Meditate – recognize your thoughts without attaching to them.
We talk about meditation all the time – and it’s for good reason. It helps!
First, find a quiet, private space where you can sit without distractions for at least five minutes.
Start breathing slowly in and out, even keeping count as you do. Focus on breathing in for a count of four, holding your breath for a few beats, then exhaling for a count of four. Doing this a few times will help to calm you and set the tone for what’s next.
When you feel more peaceful, begin to allow your emotions to flow; remaining aware, but unattached. This is a practice where you recognize the emotion, but don’t let yourself be carried away by it. Try to just see it, like a person across the street. You can see them, but you don’t have to talk to them.
Feel the anger, fear, anxiety, passion, shame, joy, and all other emotions flow in and out of your mind. Observe how strong they were, and the thoughts and feelings that accompanied them. Capturing these observations in a journal can be helpful as well, and you can revisit them as you go.
Meditating can help you see the things that are driving you forward, or holding you back.
4. Inquire about your feelings.
With your body and mind steadied; ask yourself how you really feel.
Don’t make it vague and generic. For example, don’t just ask, “Why am I feeling low?” Instead, really dig deep and ask questions as precise as,
- “How did I feel when Tayshia told me she was not going to help me out with the project because she was busy?”
- “How was I feeling when I sent that mail to Zachary?”
- “Why am I so scared of telling Chris the truth?”
Asking specific questions like these can uncover uncomfortable truths. But it is only when you know the problem that you can effectively fix it.
5. Journal
A lot of people argue that writing down your feelings and reading them can be almost as effective as visiting a therapist. Journaling is a very underrated tool that you can use to care for your inner world of thoughts and feelings.
All that is required is that you sit down with a pen and paper and be honest with yourself.
Write down all that transpired throughout the day, and how you responded to different circumstances.
Add more details, by stating why you responded the way you did (what were your thoughts and feelings?)
Need help getting started? 40 Inspiring Journal Prompts to Guide Your Deep & Personal Journey→
Begin a Practice of Checking in on Your Feelings
By employing these simple practices, and turning them into daily routines and rituals, you’ll be able to run your life more effectively – by eliminating the unhealthy ones, whilst optimizing for the best experiences.
Remember to be kind to yourself along the way – it won’t happen all at once.
Just giving yourself the gift of a promise to improve and find balance is enough. You’ve got this!
Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash
