Rewire your brain's toolbox -- COntinued!

https://www.joannafrankham.com/stress-management-tools-notice-shift-rewire/

Here are more tools to rewire your brain and achieve confidence!

4. "Hit the Pause Button. "

This is the easiest tool to integrate in your own life. Take a breath. Pause. Calm your mind. Focus on the air blowing around you and how it brushes your skin. Feel the radiant sun beating on your face. Breathe in the nourishing oxygen that sustains your life on Earth. Take a moment to just relax and "smell the roses." Those who pause, control their breathing, and also meditate have been found to have much smaller amygdalas (fear centers).

I can testify to that. I have been following a morning routine of meditation and prayer since the middle of June. It brings me so much peace and relaxing energies to encourage me to start my day and be productive! It may seem to be a time waster, but in the long run, it ends up being a timesaver! You can designate a few minutes a day whenever to just breathe and pause. It's a more time-effective alternative as opposed to spending time playing phone games and end up getting carried to the point when you look around, and -- "Oh! Dinner time already?"

5. "Change the Channel!"

Exercise, listen to a favorite song, or maybe meditate and stretch. Even phone games! This tool is all about doing whatever keeps your mind off of what is stressing you.

So, going back to my example from #1, I might look for a friend in the hallway to talk to if I'm feeling that embarrassed about whatever I did in the hallway ;)

6. The Purge!

Write down your negative thoughts and then rip them up or throw them away. I haven't tried it, but the book says, "Scientists have discovered this symbolic act actually gives us more positive feelings. (page 122)" I guess it is the same idea as catharsis aka emotional release. However, it is displayed in a less violent form.

7. Ride a Hot Air Balloon!

Imagine that you are in a "hot air balloon" and looking at your problems and stressors from someone else's point of view. "When you start to direct your brain to observe things, even in your mind, like the sky and colors around you, the amygdala (fear center) calms down, and the prefrontal cortex (rational command center) kicks back in. (page 123)" This relates to the getting perspective confidence skill, as well as hitting the "pause button." When you think about it, this tool makes sense. How many times have you been in a situation where your crises seemed like the "end of the world", while to your friends or fam, it "wasn't a big deal?" Oftentimes, when we allow our stressors to feel subjective and personal, we get emotionally involved and drained. Looking at your problems objectively with no biased viewpoint allows us to be rational and create a game plan for action!

8. Lucky Charms!

Find a "lucky charm," pull it out when stressed, and think of 3 words to describe it. Doing this causes the "language part of your brain [Broca's and Wernicke's areas for my AP Psychology peeps] to start working, which means... the fear center in the back of your brain can stop churning. (page 123)" I love this idea! Just as a baby has a blankey to hold for support when stressed, we can find a discreet lucky charm to relieve us in times of need! Guys, please don't let this be anything consumable or harmful for the body ;) I will leave it there.

I hope you guys really enjoyed these tips! I really tried to post something that can be helpful for not just me but others as well. Please let me know if this was helpful! Leave a comment on the home page or create a free account, since I can't disable this annoying Wix feature :( Have a super amazing and blessed day!

I will provide a link to the book here.