Rest the overthinking mind
In our busy lives, taking time to rest our thinking mind is key to connecting to our intuition.
When was the last time you left your phone behind?
We know it’s good to disconnect, but what does that really mean? What does it have to do with our intuition and Essential Self?
And it’s not just the phone. It’s all the ‘noise’ that’s playing in the background (radio, streaming, music player, podcasts, audio books, etc.)
If you’re struggling to:
Make decisions
Stick to your budget because another late night purchase landed on the doorstep
Move forward with your career or hobbies
Find time for the things you want to do
“Taking a few minutes to pause your over-thinking every day is the solution”
You can’t stop thinking, but lowering the amount of thinking, particularly analysis, judgement, and worry, has been shown to:
activate the brain’s default mode network, leading to increases in creativity and problem-solving
refresh and rejuvenate our minds and our bodies at a cellular level
make space for deeper understanding of our Self and what we want from life
reconnect us to our bodies (tuning into our body compass)
So what does resting the mind look like?
Practices and hobbies humans have taken part in for centuries are the most restful for the mind:
contemplative practices (meditation, quiet time, yoga)
spiritual practices (prayer, spiritual reading)
time in nature, forest bathing
contemplative and soothing hobbies (knitting, painting, sketching)
drum circles or other group rituals
These practices act as signals to our nervous systems that we’re safe and it’s okay to rest. This feeling of safety and non-judgement can be deepened if we involve all our senses. Smell the incense or forest floor, touch prayer beads or knitting needles. Listen to the sound of waves or gently hum of bees in the garden.
“More important that how it looks is how lowering over analysis, judgement and worry feels”
You’ll feel clearer in your body, and more capable of making aligned decisions. Your brain and breathing will relax. Your stomach and chest will feel more open and shoulders will drop.
You’ll experience more ease in your body, as well as your mind.
References:
Why Rest Is Productive: The Science of Doing Nothing | Psychology Today
