Racing mind
Someone texted me to share that their racing mind was preventing rest or a good night’s sleep. Most of us have had nights or even days when our mind seems unable to be quiet. I am reminded of my garage door malfunctioning recently. It just kept going up and down without me having any control over it. Sometimes our minds are like that and it is as if one suddenly has acute internal ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder. It is as if our mind has been taken over by a malfunctioning, out of control motor. Not surprising, the more we attempt to quiet it, the more it seems to race.
Many stressors and conditions may cause our mind to race:
Of course, us humans like the illusion that we have some control over people, places or situations. No matter who we are or how spiritually healthy we are all of us, sooner or later, have to face the fact that we have no control over the fact that people die, the behavior of others is unpredictable, machines break, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes happen, and we get reminders that the balance of all of the universe is very delicate. Some of us may be better equipped or prepared than others to deal with life on life terms. Those who live in areas where violence or natural disasters are common may learn that this is normal. They may even learn that loss of loved ones is normal. Even then, if and when there is time and space to do more than just survive, one might find oneself obsessively questioning one’s past decisions or actions.
Some individuals may have or develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Perhaps, at times, a part of one’s mind decides that if one counts a certain way or engages in some other ritual one will be safer in some respect.
One may tell oneself to stop or attempt to focus on something else. Yet, the more one attempts to stop the more one’s mind races or the more the obsessive-compulsive behavior takes over.
For some, a non-addictive medication my help quiet the mind and allow one to rest, eat and otherwise take care of oneself.
When possible, one must begin to practice not feeding the obsessive thoughts or racing mind. Anytime one attempts the stop the racing mind or obsessive thoughts one is feeding them. Feeding them reinforces the habit thus making it stronger. The goal is to “just notice” the racing mind or the obsessive thoughts. One does not want to label the thoughts as good or bad, right or wrong. One does not want to get angry at it or proceed with an obsessive ritual. If one says anything at all one might say to oneself, “Isn’t that interesting.”
Just noticing something, especially something which is uncomfortable and/or irrational, does not feel “natural” for most of all. It feels as if we should be doing something more proactive. Yet, the most proactive thing most of us can do is to “just notice” without any other comment. I also recommend that one manually relax by focusing on one’s breathing, (deep breaths from the diaphragm), lowering one’s shoulders, and shaking out the tension in one’s arms and legs. When doing these things, one is letting one’s body know that despite the message to the contrary, it is safe to relax. One may then begin to experience normal grief or other emotions one could not experience when the racing or obsessive mind was in charge.
May 7, 2018
Someone texted me to share that their racing mind was preventing rest or a good night’s sleep. Most of us have had nights or even days when our mind seems unable to be quiet. I am reminded of my garage door malfunctioning recently. It just kept going up and down without me having any control over it. Sometimes our minds are like that and it is as if one suddenly has acute internal ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder. It is as if our mind has been taken over by a malfunctioning, out of control motor. Not surprising, the more we attempt to quiet it, the more it seems to race.
Many stressors and conditions may cause our mind to race:
- Not getting enough rest.
- Concern about a person or a situation over when we have no control.
- Mental illnesses.
- Grief over loss of a loved one or over the loss of something else which is important to us.
- Attempting to change habits including deciding to stop the abuse of alcohol or other drugs can also result in a racing mind.
Of course, us humans like the illusion that we have some control over people, places or situations. No matter who we are or how spiritually healthy we are all of us, sooner or later, have to face the fact that we have no control over the fact that people die, the behavior of others is unpredictable, machines break, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes happen, and we get reminders that the balance of all of the universe is very delicate. Some of us may be better equipped or prepared than others to deal with life on life terms. Those who live in areas where violence or natural disasters are common may learn that this is normal. They may even learn that loss of loved ones is normal. Even then, if and when there is time and space to do more than just survive, one might find oneself obsessively questioning one’s past decisions or actions.
Some individuals may have or develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Perhaps, at times, a part of one’s mind decides that if one counts a certain way or engages in some other ritual one will be safer in some respect.
One may tell oneself to stop or attempt to focus on something else. Yet, the more one attempts to stop the more one’s mind races or the more the obsessive-compulsive behavior takes over.
For some, a non-addictive medication my help quiet the mind and allow one to rest, eat and otherwise take care of oneself.
When possible, one must begin to practice not feeding the obsessive thoughts or racing mind. Anytime one attempts the stop the racing mind or obsessive thoughts one is feeding them. Feeding them reinforces the habit thus making it stronger. The goal is to “just notice” the racing mind or the obsessive thoughts. One does not want to label the thoughts as good or bad, right or wrong. One does not want to get angry at it or proceed with an obsessive ritual. If one says anything at all one might say to oneself, “Isn’t that interesting.”
Just noticing something, especially something which is uncomfortable and/or irrational, does not feel “natural” for most of all. It feels as if we should be doing something more proactive. Yet, the most proactive thing most of us can do is to “just notice” without any other comment. I also recommend that one manually relax by focusing on one’s breathing, (deep breaths from the diaphragm), lowering one’s shoulders, and shaking out the tension in one’s arms and legs. When doing these things, one is letting one’s body know that despite the message to the contrary, it is safe to relax. One may then begin to experience normal grief or other emotions one could not experience when the racing or obsessive mind was in charge.
May 7, 2018
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