Did you know that you brain is biased towards seeing problems? This is a primitive survival strategy that is wired into us. Our brains are hyperfocused on identifying what around us can harm us, cause us stress, disrupt our plans, or that which we are afraid of. Our brains do this in order to keep us safe – that is their most basic job, to keep us alive.
However, in today’s society there are a lot of things that look like danger to our brain but actually are not.
For example, social judgment, undone household tasks, big emotions of our children, the ticking clock as we tackle our to do list, every little ache and pain, etc…
How exhausting!
SO what can we do about it?
We can retrain our brain to notice the things which are good, positive, hopeful, funny, and comforting!
A very simple way to do this is to practice gratitude, EVERY DAY.
If we set a challenge to every day think of 3 things we are truly grateful for, it forces our brain to notice those things and then it starts to look for those things. The brain shifts it’s energy to looking for problems to be instead looking for peace, joy, happiness!
The difference truly is amazing!
Ask Beth, a mum I am currently working with.
She set a 10 day gratitude challenge for herself and here are some things she noticed:
– “I found myself worrying less about the day to day and about the future”
– “I was playing with my kids more”
– “I noticed that when I woke up, I had more energy and positive outlook for the day”
– “Things generally went more smoothly, we even had some big family wins and positive things happen during the time I was doing this!”
My personal practice is in the morning (as often as I remember), I lay in bed and think of at least 3 things I am grateful and I think about why. It makes my heart feel warm, I wake up in a better mood, and I am a lot more able to reframe my thinking during the day.
How to get started:
– Pick a time of day to start this habit consistently
– Link your gratitude habit with an activity that you already do (i.e. brushing your teeth, walking from you car to work, taking out the compost, whatever!)
– Find an accountabiltiy partner such as a friend, spouse, partner, colleague, facebook community, or even your children who you can share your gratitudes with daily
– Really ask yourself what you are grateful for and give this some thought, think past, present, future, and be creative! There are no wrong answers but try to avoid giving the same answers every day.
Now, before you go on with your day and move onto the next thing – stop and think about 3 things you are truly grateful for.
I would love to here them here in the comments!