Posted by gardenergirl on April 11, 2007, at 4:34:29
In reply to Im living in madness in my own head, posted by rjlockhart on April 11, 2007, at 1:47:42
That may sound really flip. But actually, I do mean it, and it's something I've thought about in relation to the problems you're having. Matt, you are good at introspection and awareness of your feelings. However, there's a point where spending so much time and energy "in your head", regardless of what state it feels like you're in can be too much. On this I have personal experience. I can daydream and scrutinize my thoughts and feelings for hours instead of getting up and doing something that I might even enjoy doing. By doing that, I miss out on a part of life, and then I feel depressed, frustrated, and lonely because of that void.
Humans function more effectively and efficiently, and with more ease and a sense of security and feeling more grounded by having balance in their day and in their activities. A balance between thinking, feeling, and doing, and a balance between alone activities and those involving other people is optimal.
I know that it takes time to achieve balance, and I'm still working towards it, trust me. But maybe the next time you feel stuck in your head when it's not a "pleasant" place to be you could try shifting gears and doing something with your hands or something physical. Go for a walk or exercise. Clean something in the house or your room. Make something with your hands, whether it's a hobby or craft, cooking, yard work, etc. There's a type of therapy called Occupational Therapy which is used with people with physical and/or mental disorders. The main point of that therapy is that you get well by *doing*. And doing means whatever things humans do in their daily lives.
So Matt, if you can try to pull your attention away from being "inside" and focus it outside on anything you're doing--even tying your shoes, carrying out the trash, eating dinner, etc., that can help you start to have more balance between being stuck in your head and being mindful of your daily experiences as they happen.
I didn't mean to go on so long here. What do you think?
Namaste
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:748949
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070407/msgs/748961.html