Surviving the storm

Almost all of us struggle with the chaotic nature of life, and the unsettled swarm of the every day. When the world overwhelms us, things can seem daunting, and dreary. But whilst we can’t control what happens to us, we can control how we respond to it, and the lessons that we take away from the obstacles we face. 

There are techniques and methods which we can adopt, to help us stand strong against the struggles of life, and take back agency over our problems. 

“Mindfulness” is the practice of grounding ourselves in the present, and immersing ourselves in the moment-by-moment passing of the current instant.

Mindful techniques include things like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises. Through these methods, we can soothe the noise in our heads, and adopt a more calm, composed approach to life. By undertaking these practices, we become more in-tune with our breathing, and our thinking. We become familiar with the nerves that are threaded through our bodies, and the miraculous thoughts in our minds.

As we become more confident in ourselves, we also become more confident in the world around us. Things stop seeming quite so scary, and instead become exciting. 

Savouring the moment

The world is a thriving cyclone, howling with thoughts, ideas, and challenges. From the firm chair against our backs, to the smooth wooden tables beneath our fingers, our planet is teaming with life, and sensation. 

These simple but wonderful pleasures often pass us by, as we get swept up in work, relationships, and unpaid bills. Our breathing becomes raspy, our heads become muddled, and our bodies buckle beneath the unrelenting pressures of  a nerve-racking reality. But we have the power to bolster ourselves, and face the world with a clear, calm mind. 

Embracing our demons

Mindfulness is not about toxic positivity. It is not about ignoring the bad stuff, and pretending that our lives are perfect, stress-free episodes of some ludicrous TV show. 

Mindfulness is about grounding ourselves in the world, and everything that it has to offer. It is about accepting the challenges and difficulties of life, but also seeing the beauty in the bleak, and the uncertain. 

Through a mindful outlook, we start to notice the gentle touch of the wind, the cool taste of water, and the dazzling colour in our loved one’s eyes. We don’t try and pretend that the world isn’t a scary place, but we also learn to appreciate the simple, soothing pleasures of the everyday. 

Mindfulness helps us to reconnect with the intricate details of our thoughts and feelings, and to become more conscious of the present moment. 

We allow ourselves to be sad, and to feel pain, and we don’t let the pressures of maintaining a happy facade keep us from showing that we are struggling. Our strength doesn’t come from pretending that we aren’t scared, but from being brave in the face of fear, regardless. 

We can’t control what we feel, and what we think, but we can control how we respond and react to those thoughts and emotions. 

Mindfulness helps us to regulate our executive functions, and better equip ourselves to deal with the inevitable struggles that we will face. 

Life is forever slipping through our fingers, but mindfulness helps us to live in the moment, and stand in awe of the setting sun.

Getting Support

It can be difficult to integrate these practices into your life without help, and guidance. Many of us have the desire to change, but lack the right tools to accomplish it. 

Working with an executive function coach on your ability to self-regulate your emotions and behaviour is another way to develop strategies and make long-lasting changes. 

Getting support from an executive function coach for yourself, or even your child, can easily start by booking a free 30 minute insight session with Sarah, our Client Services Manager.

Sarah will help you find out more about the coaching programme and will also discuss your needs, strengths and challenges more specifically.

To ensure that we march you with the perfect coach, you will be able to schedule free chemistry sessions with up to 3 coaches of your choice.

Change is within your grasp, you just need to take those first steps. 

By Melody Hill-Fisher, Connections in Mind